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. TED-talker. no-bullsh**er.
Sophie Chiche, founder of lifebyme.com, is the single mom of an amazing 16-year-old, Leah, and wicked step-mom of 22-year-old, Sarah. They all live in LA. You can find them boxing, cooking, collaging, hosting brunches, laughing their head off or bickering over who’s washing and who’s drying the dishes.
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
difference
Mimi Knoop
skateboarder. artist. stirrer of the pot.
Mimi Knoop is a professional skateboarder and multi-media artist. She has won five X-Games medals in women’s vert and is a co-founder of The Alliance, a non-profit organization of female skateboarders. www.actionsportalliance.com
We each have a voice. Sometimes we don’t realize it, but we do. I’ve found that I live a more meaningful life by using my voice to help make a difference in my community. As a professional skateboarder, I’m lucky to have built a career around something I love to do. That’s a blessing in itself that I am so grateful for every day. But I’ve found that a certain responsibility also comes with the territory. As something of a role model, I feel it’s my duty to help improve things for the next generation of girl skateboarders coming up. Sometimes I try to give back by doing things like helping kids learn how to ride a skateboard, teaching them proper skate-etiquette, or signing autographs.
Other times, I’ve helped make positive improvements in my community on a larger scale – for a group of people rather than one person at a time. It can take years of persistence and patience to bring about this kind of change and we may need the help of others – after all, unity is strength. Not long ago, a few of us decided to unite and speak as a group, with one voice. United, we were able to make positive changes in girls’ skateboarding by fighting for (and eventually winning) prize purse equality at major contests and events. It was the right thing to do, even if some people didn’t see or agree with our vision of equality. So, no matter how large or small the effect, the feeling that comes from making a positive difference in the world is a rewarding one. It definitely brings more meaning into my life, and hopefully to the lives of others as well.
Anyone can make a difference in their community. Find something you feel passionate about and make it happen! Maybe you’d like to start a non-profit organization to help a cause you believe in, or maybe you’d like to improve after-school programs in your area. Whatever your passion, find something you believe in and put the wheels into motion. Surround yourself with people who will support you. Realize your dreams and make them come to life. Life is too short to sit on the sidelines! Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or the President of the United States, use your voice to help make the world better for the people around you.
- Mimi Knoop
Explore More Meaning
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author. mama. pleasure pioneer.
Regena Thomashauer (Mama Gena) is a revolution: an icon, teacher, author, mother, and a pioneer in researching the nature of pleasure and dedicating her life to the discipline of pleasure. www.mamagenas.com
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doctor. bestselling author. integrative medicine pioneer.
Bestselling author Dean Ornish, MD, is the founder and president of the non-profit Preventive Medicine Research Institute, which performs scientific research investigating the effects of diet and lifestyle on health. www.pmri.org
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publicist. author. soulmate attractor.
Arielle Ford has spent 25 years living and promoting consciousness through all forms of media. www.arielleford.com
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athlete marketer. avid sports fan. family man.
Sam Freedman has a passion for sports. He works in Athlete Marketing at Fritz Martin Management, a boutique sports marketing agency. At 22, he has his dream job. And, yes, his family is very proud. http://fritzmartin.com/
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author. columnist. creative strategist.
Ayn Carrillo Gailey is a published author and creative strategist who uses words to power ideas, companies, and movements. www.ayngailey.com
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writer. traveler. unconventionalist.
Chris Guillebeau travels the world and writes for a small army of remarkable people on his website. His focus is on helping unconventional people do remarkable things. chrisguillebeau.com
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team builder. motivator. creator.
Ruth Grodek founded Creation, a company that coaches senior management teams and individual leaders to be authentic, powerful, inspiring, and compassionate. www.creation-uk.com
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doctor. author. sweeper.
Dr. Charles Sophy has dedicated his life to the physical and mental well-being of children and families from all walks of life. www.drsophy.com
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