growing | lifebyme

Jack Canfield 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]

Arianna Huffington

Arianna Huffington 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]

Seth Godin

Seth Godin author. speaker. linchpin.

Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]

Krishna Kaur

Krishna Kaur 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]

Norman Lear

Norman Lear 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]

Leilani Münter

Leilani Münter 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]

Kevin Bales

Kevin Bales 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]

Sophie Chiche

Sophie Chiche 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]

Mastin Kipp

Mastin Kipp 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]

Liz Phair

Liz Phair singer. musician. crier.

Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]

Desmond Tutu

Desmond Tutu 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]

Zainab Salbi

Zainab Salbi 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]

Sean Stephenson

Sean Stephenson 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]

Kia Miller

Kia Miller 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]

Simon Mainwaring

Simon Mainwaring 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]

Shannon Bindler

Shannon Bindler 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]

Mathieu Bitton

Mathieu Bitton 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]

Jorge Perez

Jorge Perez 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

who knew?

Mikey Scott

Life By Me’s Content Editor, Mikey Scott, gets to hear stories from people around the world creating meaningful (and pretty darn fun) lives for themselves. And he thinks that’s pretty neat. [www.mikeyscott.com]

Five years ago I met the love of my life. Two years later we got our own apartment together. Two months after that he met the love of his life. Guess what – it wasn’t me. (And cue the violin). Continue reading ...

pursuit

Jac McNeil

Jac McNeil is a self-leadership expert for women entrepreneurs. Her work helps women unearth their own powerful truths and create thriving, integrity-based businesses. [www.jacmcneil.com]

I was a bright-eyed, pig-tailed 7 year old when I went on my first quest. It was through the woods behind my house. I was armed with a backpack of essentials—you know—cookies and a hoodie, and I was in pursuit of the perfect place to build my tree fort. Continue reading ...

curiosity

Susannah Charleson

Susannah Charleson is the author of New York Times bestseller Scent of the Missing and, recently, The Possibility Dogs. She is a flight instructor, canine search-and-rescue specialist, and service dog trainer.

The interview filled her with some wonder. Still beautiful and vibrant (one commentator remarked that if she was fifty, she wore it well: “Twenty-five each leg,” he said appreciatively). Continue reading ...

space

Deborah Monaghan

Deborah Monaghan is creator and founder of ThinkBody.com, a recently launched design outfit that creates wallpaper, textiles and dry goods based on anatomy and systems of the body. [www.thinkbody.com]

There was no way for me to know what was in store for me (though I had dreams), and the tone of this dwelling in the unknown was a combination of contentment, airiness and apprehension. As a kid, most of my life was out of my hands. Continue reading ...

path

Tom Taylor

Guitarist/composer Tom Taylor and his wife, Stephanie, live north of Colorado Springs. His recordings feature the Kronos and Turtle Island String Quartets; mandolinist David Grisman. Tom teaches at Colorado College.

When the muse hits you with a 2 x 4, you’d better pay attention. I can only speak as an artist, but this must happen to anyone who possesses the creative spark. Continue reading ...

Explore More Meaning

Richard C. Arthur avid creator. free time scheduler. man of action.
Richard Arthur is a Navy commander, filmmaker, and self-described "opinionated bastard." He has worked on NCIS, Commander in Chief, Hawaii Five-O, several features and he has just returned from a humanitarian mission to Southeast Asia aboard the hospital ship, MERCY. [www.ricarthur.com]
Jennifer Boykin grief embracer. courageous survivor. midlife midwife.
Jennifer Boykin's vision is to "rebrand a gazillion crones." She speaks, teaches, and writes as the Creative Visionary and Chief Rabble-Rouser of the MidLife Reinvention site Life After Tampons. [www.LifeAfterTampons.com]
Simon Sinek teacher. golden circle creator. why advisor.
Simon Sinek teaches leaders and organizations how to inspire people. He created a simple model, The Golden Circle, that codifies what makes the most inspiring people and organizations so successful. [www.startwithwhy.com]
Maggie Wheeler friends alumna. folk singer. harmonic connector.
Maggie Wheeler is a mother, actress, voice-over artist, and co-director of the Golden Bridge Community Choir. Through her vocal workshop, Singing In The Stream, she invites people to step into to the joy of singing in community. [www.maggiewheeler.net]
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]
Judith Wright educator. lifestyles expert. friendly elevator rider.
Dr. Judith Wright has been featured on 20/20, Good Morning America and the Today Show. She is a bestselling author, speaker, coach and consultant. [www.judithwright.com]
George Mulling business developer. strategist. global seller.
George Mulling is a Managing Partner at CapGenic Advisors, a senior strategy firm. He has 25 years of experience in global sales leadership and is occasionally a good listener. [www.capgenic.com]
Sue Sommer teacher. author. world traveler.
Award-winning teacher Sue Sommer developed and teaches the English Honors and Creative Writing course for Marin School of the Arts at Novato High School. She also leads summer educational tours to Europe. [www.newworldlibrary.com]
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Today's Poll

How much of your life do you try to control?

Contributors

Jeff Tweedy singer. songwriter. harmonizer.
Jeff Tweedy is the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter for the Chicago-based rock band Wilco. [www.wilcoworld.net]
Lynda Filler poet. photographer. lover.
Lynda Filler is a poet, author, photographer, and would-be public speaker who lives in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. She has two published poetry books and is currently working on two memoir/biographies. [www.thelovefix.com]
Sam Freedman 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/]
Tracey Trottenberg strategist. speaker. catalyst for change.
Tracey Trottenberg is a business and leadership coach and an international speaker. She founded Amazing Women International, which connects and educates women leaders throughout the world. [www.traceytrottenberg.net]
Dave Towe aquatic healer. youth encourager. fear slayer.
Professional life coach and visionary Dave Towe is the founder and executive director of Wave Academy. He's committed to serving wounded worriers those returning from war diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. [www.waveacademy.org]
Jennifer Boykin grief embracer. courageous survivor. midlife midwife.
Jennifer Boykin's vision is to "rebrand a gazillion crones." She speaks, teaches, and writes as the Creative Visionary and Chief Rabble-Rouser of the MidLife Reinvention site Life After Tampons. [www.LifeAfterTampons.com]
Pamela Caffray milkshaker. pr maven. difference maker.
Pamela Caffray's background is in trending, forecasting, PR, and event planning. She co-founded Milkshake to join her love of discovery and sourcing with her passion for giving back and helping others. [http://getmilkshake.com]
Andrew Papageorge innovation guru. supportive dad. heart-filled husband.
Andrew Papageorge has built five businesses, one of which was sold to a Fortune 100 company. He has guided organizations of all sizes through thousands of innovations, and has written about personal transformation and business innovation. [www.gapzip.com]
Dawn Garcia writer. single mom. awakened soul.
Dawn Garcia is a writer, screenwriter, editor, single mom, believer of dreams, beauty, truth, and hope. Since the moment she could put pen to paper she knew she had found her purpose. [www.atodmagazine.com]
John Mackey natural manager. innovator. love tuner.
John Mackey, Chairman and CEO of Whole Foods Market, is a leading practitioner of empowerment management. He co-founded FLOW, a think tank focusing on "Liberating the Entrepreneurial Spirit for Good." [www.wholefoodsmarket.com]
Arielle Ford publicist. author. soulmate attractor.
Arielle Ford has spent 25 years living and promoting consciousness through all forms of media. [www.arielleford.com]
GT Dave kombucha brewer. purity purveyor. devoted son.
GT Dave began bottling Kombucha after his mother successfully drank it during her battle with breast cancer. He's committed to bringing us the purest and most potent Kombucha available. [www.GTSkombucha.com]
Eric Handler truth distinguisher. moment enjoyer. blessed dad.
Eric Handler is the co-founder of Positively Positive, an online multimedia platform known for its creative content designed to inspire readers to live fully and connected and to ignite the fire inside of them. [www.positivelypositive.com]
Kim MacGregor author. speaker. flash mobber.
Kim MacGregor is a transformational leader, author, speaker, and the founder of the global movement "I Believe She's Amazing." [www.IBelieveShesAmazing.com]
Chris Cade writer. speaker. empowerer.
Chris Cade is a spiritual author, speaker, impassioned parent, entrepreneur, and professional empowerment artist enabling people to discover their innate joy, peace, and abundance. [www.chriscade.com]
Lana Bramlette happy mama. adoring wife. golden girl.
Designer Lana Bramlette is known as the "Queen of Hoops." Her fine gold line, Lana Jewelry, is an unmistakable collection of sexy, streamlined, architectural pieces that stand alone in the contemporary fine jewelry world. [www.lanajewelry.com]
David Hassell 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]
Elizabeth Memel infant toddler development specialist. educator. educarer.
Elizabeth Memel is an infant toddler development specialist, adult educator, and author who studied for many years with Magda Gerber, founder of Resources for Infant Educarers. [www.authenticbabies.com]
Maria Ross surviving storyteller. brand muse. blessing counter.
Inspirational speaker, author, and brand strategist Maria Ross is the creator of Red Slice, which helps entrepreneurs ignite their brands and delight their minds. Her latest book is Rebooting My Brain. [www.red-slice.com]
Kyle Rutkin authentic novelist. uncertainty embracer. dream includer.
Kyle Rutkin was put on this world to write romantic comedies and inspire people to chase their dreams. His second novel is due for release in the winter of 2012. [www.kylerutkin.com]
Joanne Abellera Artist. Designer. Knitting Machine.
Joanne Abellera is the designer of KKIBO a collection of one-of-a-kind handmade knitwear creations. [www.kkibo.net]
Steve Connell word wizard. stage illuminator. self truster.
By fusing acting, writing, comedy, and poetry, Steve Connell has become a transformative and sought-after speaker, performing privately for such luminaries as President Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Norman Lear. [www.stevenconnell.com]
Amy Jo Martin digital humanitarian. why finder. frequent flyer.
Amy Jo Martin, founder and CEO of Digital Royalty and Digital Royalty University, teaches brands, corporations and individuals to how to measure and monetize their digital universe. [www.digitalroyaltyuniversity.com]
Antonio Neves storyteller. question asker. catalyst.
Antonio Neves is an award-winning broadcast journalist and the founder of THINQACTION, where he coaches young professionals to transform potential into performance. [www.thinqaction.com]
Gary Zukav spiritual pioneer. author. authentic empowerer.
As a bestselling author and pioneer of the new spirituality, Gary Zukav's gentle presence, humor, and insightful wisdom have inspired millions to realize their soul's greatest potential. [www.seatofthesoul.com]
Rev. Dr. Sahra Renata spiritual alarm clock. soul purpose hunter. visionary.
Sahra Renata is a mystic, artist, writer and poet, with an M.A in spiritual Philosophy and a Ph.D in metaphysics. Sahra has taught advanced metaphysics and mastery of the healing arts throughout Europe, the U.S., Australia and Mexico. [www.bookofsahra.com]
John Thomas 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]
Danea Horn life coach. health strategist. affirmationist.
Life Coach and speaker Danea Horn is an expert at helping people design and implement strategies for a fulfilling life when facing health challenges. She developed the website Creative Affirmations: Redefining Positive for Real Life. [www.DaneaHorn.com]
Madelin Adena Smith dream cartographer. promise keeper. sayer and doer.
Madelin Adena Smith is a novelist, creative shapeshifter, and strategic visionary. She specializes in helping ambitious young women build road maps around their wildest dreams. [www.madelinadenasmith.com]
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