author. speaker. motivator.
Affectionately known as "America's #1 Success Coach," Jack Canfield is the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and a leading authority in the areas of self-esteem, achievement motivation, and peak performance. [www.jackcanfield.com]
political powerhouse. media mogul. author.
Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. [www.huffingtonpost.com]
author. speaker. linchpin.
Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]
yogi. philanthropist. dynamic teacher.
Krishna Kaur is the founder of YOGA for Youth, a program that takes yoga, meditation, and stimulating discussions on the philosophy of yoga to urban youth. [www.yogaforyouth.org]
producer. philanthropist. tv legend.
Norman Lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. [www.normanlear.com]
race car driver. activist. carbon free girl.
Leilani Münter is a professional race car driver and an environmental activist who uses her voice in the number one spectator sport in America as a catalyst for change. [www.leilanimunter.com]
Freedom Fighter. Philanthropist. Game Changer.
By going undercover to meet slaves and slaveholders, Kevin Bales exposed modern slavery's penetration into the global economy. He co-founded Free the Slaves, which has helped to liberate thousands of slaves. [www.freetheslaves.net]
mom. big dreamer. lady in red.
Sophie Chiche, lifebyme.com founder and curator, enjoys asking deep questions and living a life of meaning. Today she's launching Shape House, an urban sweat lodge, a place to melt away fears and fat. [www.shapehousela.com]
Writer. Entrepreneur. Daily Lover.
Entrepreneur and writer Mastin Kipp founded TheDailyLove.com, which merges pop culture with inspiration, and co-founded The Love Yourself Company, an apparel company that has started a global self-esteem movement. [www.TheDailyLove.com]
singer. musician. crier.
Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]
archbishop. author. peaceful leader.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Chairman of The Elders, a group of world leaders who address some of the world's most pressing problems. He works energetically for human-rights and in his ministry. [www.tutu.org]
author. ceo. humanitarian.
Zainab Salbi is the founder and CEO of Women for Women International, a group dedicated to helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives. [www.womenforwomen.org]
speaker. psychotherapist. life embracer.
Despite his physical challenges, Sean Stephenson has taken a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world. He's a professional speaker, psychotherapist, and author. [www.timetostand.com]
yogi. meditator. teacher.
Kia Miller teaches Yoga at Yoga Works in Los Angeles, leads teacher trainings, and runs retreats and workshops on meditation, chakras, pranayam, and mantras, and other practices. [www.kiamiller.com]
creator. writer. idea geek.
Simon Mainwaring is an ex-Nike/Wieden creative, former Worldwide Creative Director at Motorola/Ogilvy, branding/advertising writer, author/speaker/blogger, Australian, idea geek. [www.simonmainwaring.com]
Strategist. Writer. Life Coach.
Shannon Bindler is a style editor, life coach, and the co-founder of Get Up Girl, an empowerment company that inspires women to shine. [www.getupgirl.com]
Designer. Art Director. Passionate Creator.
Grammy-nominated art director/designer/photographer Mathieu Bitton has designed over 450 CDs and movie posters. He's a renowned collector of and authority on black films and their soundtracks. [www.candytangerine.com]
Agent. Producer. Photography Enthusiast.
Opus Reps founder and agent-producer Jorge Perez travels the world producing photo shoots with great photographers and celebrities. He's also very involved with Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles. www.opusreps.com
no apologies
Ifé Sanchez Mora
soul-full musician. self seeker.
Ifé Sanchez Mora is a Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter. Her latest album, "Fire Inside of Me," has received praise from NY Daily News, Billboard, and American Songwriter. [ifesanchezmora.com]
Many are ashamed of the authentic person inside of them. They are disconnected with this person and resort to addiction to help fill an emptiness of not knowing how to connect with their authentic selves. Growing up, we are taught how to fit into our microcosm environment and then eventually teach ourselves how to fit in with our macrocosm society. This is how we have been conditioned for many years. Only recently in our society has a new understanding of connecting with our authentic selves come into light. But what does this mean? How do we connect with our true selves?
I am an artist. I sing and write music that I hope resonates with humans on a profound level. With age and gaining wisdom through a practice of Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism, a lot of reading, therapy and Bikram Yoga, I have learned that I cannot totally express profundity in my work unless I am able to let go of pretences, be vulnerable and become truly who I was meant to be.
I was raised to be a polite and respectable young lady. I was expected to be the nice daughter, the nice wife and the nice friend. “Nice” meant that I was not opinionated, I did not argue, I only spoke when I was spoken to, and that I was never uninhibited. To be an artist, one has to lose all of these constraints. Your opinions matter. You should have the courage to express them with conviction. You have to lose inhibition to express artistry. I felt in order to achieve anything or for someone to love me I had to conform to the societal standard of being “nice” to everyone all of the time, stifling my creativity and ambition.
I then began my new path of living authentically. I chanted and meditated for the courage, and I read a lot of books. My true self was ambitious, strong and believed she deserved everything she dreamed. I am truly happier because of it.
I encourage everyone to uplift your lives by beginning the journey of discovering your authentic self. You will discover a person who is dynamic, joyful and courageous. No need to feel ashamed for being human. You are who you are, and that is beautiful. Be who you are with no apologies!
– Ifé Sanchez Mora
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Writer. Linguist. Belly Laugher.
Sarah Samuel lives in a mouse-infested apartment in New York City with three best friends. She likes to draw comics, write, and talk about linguistics. Whatever the future has in store, she hopes it includes an exterminator.
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appreciative son. moment cogitator. lesson learner.
Jeff Semigran is a senior at UC Berkeley studying environmental and civil engineering. He is an alumnus of the Teen Insight Seminars and Leadership series. This piece is part of the Insight University and Life By Me week of giving back. www.givingtuesday.org/insight-university
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fitness and wellness advisor. yoga instructor. body lover.
Mandy Ingber is a fitness and wellness advisor, celebrity yoga instructor, author, and DVD star who motivates people with her light-hearted approach and unique teaching style. [www.mandyingber.com]
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fitness expert. health advocate. icon.
Using his unique wit, passion, and enthusiasm, Richard Simmons, the nation's most revered fitness expert, continues his crusade to encourage people to take control of their fitness destiny. [www.richardsimmons.com]
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writer. teacher. expert relocator.
Susan Pohlman is a freelance writer based in Scottsdale, Arizona. She's an award-winning author, published essayist, and short film wordsmith. [www.susanpohlman.com]
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yoga instructor. canine comrade. moviemaker.
Edward Vilga is an internationally known yoga instructor and author who has had six books published (many of which involve yoga) and written and directed two feature films. [www.EdwardVilga.com]
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former dieter. current helper. self acceptance discoverer.
Julie M. Simon, MA, MBA, MFT is a psychotherapist, life coach, personal trainer, speaker and author of The Emotional Eater’s Repair Manual: A Practical Guide for Putting an End to Overeating and Dieting, based on her 12 Week Program. [www.overeatingrecovery.com]
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joy recoverer. conscious coach. relationship aficionado.
Trent Blanchard shares words of encouragement, motivation, and inspiration in corporate America and in high schools around the country via his private coaching practice. He helps remove whatever gets in the way of living a life of JOY. [www.trentblanchard.com]
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