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
get out
Brad Rassler
organizational consultant. internal change agent. conversation starter.
Brad Rassler is the founder and Chief Catalyst of A Sustainable Way, an organizational development consultancy. [www.asustainableway.com]
When I get that scrudgy sensation of weariness borne of spending too much time in the great indoors, I snap to and do like John Muir: I get outside and wrap my soggy psyche in a little bit of wild.
I’m fortunate to live in the mountains, and taking to them sets me free, and the more elemental the conditions, the better. Though Sierra winds might blow me sideways, the tips of brittle Great Basin chaparral tattoo my ankles, and granite may abrade hands, when I head home from a run, ride, ski, or climb, some niggling want has been assuaged.
I needn’t travel across the world to get my fix, nor linger for days beyond a trailhead (although real wilderness is a heady balm). I can find what I need within even the biggest city’s limits. I once interviewed the great mountaineer and wilderness photographer, Galen Rowell, whose exploits in the world’s highest mountain ranges were legendary. He reminded me that any outing can be an adventure, depending on when you go, and how much stuff you carry.
Rowell was right. Anywhere can be wild. When I lived in Berkeley, I’d lace on running shoes after dark, and head up to Tilden Park to run the trails alone, often well into the night, rousting the occasional mule deer or coyote. I’d return to the mean streets and my desk job the next day with an elemental part of me restored.
Life wants to pin you inside. Don’t let it. You’re part of the natural word. So get outside, and keep moving until you’re far from pavement. You’ll be glad you did.
Essential sanity requires cultivating quiet, attention, and humility, and by nursing our wildness in wilderness, we can all live in a more sustainable way. Propelling oneself into the woods is mindfulness in motion. Muir, imbued with the wisdom of nature, inspired through his deeds and vision. “The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness,” he wrote. “Take a course in good water and air and in the eternal youth of Nature you may renew your own. Go quietly, alone; no harm will befall you.”
– Brad Rassler
Explore More Meaning
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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]
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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]
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educator. youth leadership developer. playshopper.
Anna Krajec is the visionary behind IWE and the Green Valentines Festivals, which raise awareness about sustainable living and creating a bright future for our children. [www.ImagineWisdomEducation-IWE.org]
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motivational speaker. businessman. philanthropist.
James Malinchak has delivered over 2,200 motivational presentations, owns three businesses, has written eight books, and is a Contributing Author and Associate Editor for the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. [www.malinchak.com]
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strategist. innovator. fire starter.
Inspirational speaker and business strategist Danielle LaPorte is the creator of WhiteHotTruth.com, which helps entrepreneurs rock their careers with integrity, audacity, and their truest strengths. [www.whitehottruth.com]
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speaker. consultant. transformer.
Author Russell Bishop is a recognized expert in personal and organization transformation. He possesses an uncommon ability to inspire clarity and provoke transformational change. [www.russellbishop.com]
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Writer. Performing Artist. Educator.
Camille Maurine, author of Meditation Secrets for Women and Meditation 24/7, and creator of Moving Theater, gives performances and workshops worldwide. [www.camillemaurine.com]
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philanthropist. businessman. shoe giver.
Blake Mycoskie is the founder and Chief Shoe-Giver of TOMS Shoes. He started the company in 2006 as a means to give shoes to children in need. [www.toms.com]
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