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
lose control
Luke Schilling
daddy. faithful entrepreneur. life journey passenger.
Luke Schilling is an entrepreneur, designer, and inventor, and father of three. He is the founder of Schilling Interiors and co-founder of Everitt and Schilling Tile Co., producing tile out of reclaimed and repurposed materials. [www.eandstile.com]
When I was young, I was all about it, aka: control. How much could I make, do, and have. At twenty-four, I had it all figured out. Brand new truck, new home, and married to the woman of my dreams. I had everything under control. Or so I thought.
When my stepfather took his last breath on earth, right in front of me, it was the beginning of losing that control. During the next three years, my wife and I endured four miscarriages, my childhood best friend and cousin died in a kayak drowning, and I was feeling the struggles of starting a new business. I was definitely losing it.
But after a few tough years, I finally regained it. My wife and I went on to have three healthy children. We built our dream home, bought a vacation home, and the business that I started, with no college education, was booming. I did it! I was back in control! Or so I thought, once again.
Enter the economic crash. As the owner of a Construction/Design firm, I had a front row seat to the show. It was a painfully slow descent. Like sand through an hourglass, everything I thought was important was slipping through my fingers. The more I desperately tried to control the situation, the more control I lost, until I lost it all.
One day, as I said goodbye to my dream home, it finally dawned on me. The more control I tried to take, the less I got to keep. So I let it go.
That freefall into faith was the best thing that ever happened to me and my family. I started over from scratch the right way – with faith in God and humility. I acknowledged that I had no real control in this journey. I was the passenger on God’s bus, not the driver. So, I decided to start enjoying the ride.
Slowly opportunities began to re-emerge, and with the help of amazingly loyal people and strong faith, I have built my business back to double its pre-crash levels. I’ve also helped with the invention of a product that has become nationally known. It re-uses and re-claims materials, and gives them new life – just like me.
I know the journey is far from over, but I now know the best thing that ever happened to me was losing it. Control that is.
Enjoy the journey.
– Luke Schilling
Explore More Meaning
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surfer. fashion designer. marine life crusader.
Lisa Burke is a surfer, marine life activist, and fashion designer who founded the swimwear line Lisa Blue. Lisa Blue donates 25% of its net profits to helping protect whales and dolphins. [www.lisablue.com.au]
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geneticist. life studier. reevaluator.
Andrew Hessel is an Autodesk Distinguished Researcher and Singularity University faculty member working to develop and deliver accessible design tools for molecular and living systems. [www.autodeskresearch.com]
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spiritual parent. entertainment lawyer. kin connector.
Cynthia Litman is an entertainment lawyer. She founded the spiritual parenting brand Momma's Pearls, providing depth and support to busy families via blog, talk radio show, newsletter, and coaching. [www.mommaspearls.com]
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avid meditator. awareness expander. soulmate.
Brian Hilliard has developed, managed, and invested in commercial real estate, telecommunications, publishing, and entertainment. Currently, his primary focus is on humanitarian projects and assisting non-profits with fundraising and hands-on participation.
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holistic health counselor. transformational speaker. natural life changer.
Holistic Health Counselor Alisa Vitti specializes in reproductive and hormonal health and helping women connect to and express their feminine energy. She founded the FLO Living Center. [www.floliving.com]
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laughter initiator. grateful stylist. empowerment infuser.
Stylist and costume designer Jen Rade has spent the past 20 years working with some of the world's most recognized names and faces to create iconic music videos, commercials, and red carpet moments. [www.twitter.com/stylistjenrade]
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phd candidate. lecturer. flyer.
PhD candidate and lecturer Magdalena Gilewicz is currently training to be a certified transformative coach. She's also conquering her fear of heights by becoming a helicopter pilot. [www.maggiegilewicz.com]
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history explorer. renaissance man. moral contributor.
Law professor, writer, film and record producer, musician, and creative risk taker, John Thomas recently penned Kalamazoo Gals which tells the hidden story of the women who built Gibson's WWII guitars. [www.kalamazoogals.com]
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