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
baby steps
Jenni Young
constant learner. memory catcher. inspirational artist.
Jenni Young is an award-winning film producer, professional photographer, and life coach who lives her dream daily, serving people around the world seeking health and inspiration. [www.simplereminders.com]
I’m intrigued by life. I see moments visually and appreciate how meaningful one moment in time can be. If I can capture that moment, I know it may help someone remember and reminisce in the future. To me, that’s totally inspiring.
Many years ago, I took a darkroom class. As soon as I saw the photographed image come alive on paper, I was hooked. At the time, I didn’t know anything about cameras. So I practiced – A LOT.
Sometimes people struggle with creative expression because they’re too focused on being naturally good at something. It’s more important to figure out what you’re interested in, what you enjoy doing. Then start doing it by taking itty, bitty baby steps.
Everything we achieve in life starts with baby steps. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts. We have to practice to get good at something and most of the time it takes a lot of practice to get where we want to go.
There were so many times when I thought, What am I doing this for? But I forced myself to stick with it. Sometimes we give up too easily. If you just force yourself to take the next step toward something you’re interested in, even when you don’t want to, you’ll be amazed where you end up. When you look back at your life, you’ll see that all of those baby steps added up to mean something. You’ll be amazed at yourself.
Have goals, but don’t hold on so tightly that they become the only things that make you happy. The high of accomplishing a goal only lasts so long, and often there’s a lot of time in between highs. When we learn to enjoy the highs and the lows, we can achieve a steady, satisfying balance of happiness. It’s when we’re satisfied with ourselves that we really inspire others.
I recently received an email from someone who told me that four years ago they were so inspired by my work that they quit their job and became a photographer. My photography changed their life and I’d had no clue. Though we might think we’re not doing much in the world, every little thing we do could inspire someone else. We really never know.
Once you’ve found your own inspiration, get out there and share it! Sharing is one of the greatest gifts each of us can give to the world.
– Jenni Young
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incredible woman. hard work welcomer. long shot pursuer.
Bestselling author Gayle Tzemach Lemmon is a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and has published pieces on entrepreneurs in conflict and post-conflict regions. [www.gaylelemmon.com]
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higher self guide. spiritual integrator. dolphin whisperer.
Matthew Joyce is a spirit guide. He founded Higher Self Guides to remind people that divine spirituality isn't just for mystics. It's for you, too. [www.higherselfguides.com]
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Divorce Recovery Specialists. Psychologists.
Allison Pescosolido, M.A., and Andra Brosh, PhD, are divorce recovery specialists at Divorce Detox ,the leader in divorce recovery. [www.divorcedetox.com]
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producer. political activist. brave new filmmaker.
Robert Greenwald is a producer, director, political activist, and the founder of Brave New Films, which uses moving images to educate and empower viewers to take action on issues that matter. [www.robertgreenwald.org]
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pilot. search dog handler. grandmother.
A retired PE instructor, grandmother of four, and passionate flyer, Wilma Melville founded the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation to address a gap in our nation's disaster response network. [www.searchdogfoundation.org]
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entrepreneur. kiteboarder. philosopher.
David Hassell is a serial entrepreneur presently engaged in launching 15Five, a software company focusing on increasing the relevance and velocity of communication within organizations. [http://about.me/dhassell]
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pink medicine revolutionary. community builder. mojo reconnector.
Author, artist, motivational speaker, and Pink Medicine Revolutionary Lissa Rankin, MD, founded OwningPink.com, a website and workshops that build authentic community and empower women to get their mojo back. [www.linkedin.com/in/lissarankin]
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therapist. conscious chef. wave balancer.
Chef and Culinary Coach Caspar Poyck's business, Consciously Culinary, is well-known throughout the central and southern California coastal regions. [www.consciouslyculinary.com]
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