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
faith
Dave Smiley
filmmaker. former prison psychologist. transformationalist.
Dr. Dave Smiley, a former prison psychologist, had an awakening at age 52. Retiring early, he went on to create the first transformational film about spirituality, the mind, and weight loss. [http://TheInnerWeigh.com]
In the ‘70s, I was intrigued by the role the shaman played in indigenous societies – going out into the spirit world and bringing back information to help their society. I see that as the role of the artist, too. What shamans and artists do is take from the spirit and manifest into reality. The creative experience – having a direct connection to that flow, that source where ideas come from – means a lot to me.
At times, I struggle, trying to figure things out using my intellect, but then there’s an opening, a synthesis, a reaching out into spirit and bringing forth into the real world. That’s what gets me going. Ultimately, what’s brought back is not only for my own gratification, but is also of service to those around me.
About three years ago, I was facing a situation of completely running out of money and being out on the street. I’d been up all night, sick with anxiety and fear, and finally reached out to a friend. She made a recommendation that turned out to be significant for me. She told me to sit down, breathe deeply, and say to myself, “I’m living in the Kingdom of God. I’m living in the Kingdom of God.”
I did that and after a few minutes a feeling of peace descended over me. I looked around and realized all of a sudden that the things I was so worried about were in the future. Who knew where I’d be in a month? Anything could happen. But right at that moment, I had everything I needed. I lived in a beautiful apartment. I had a bed. There was food in the refrigerator. I even had a hot tub. I was able to open up then and I started having all kinds of ideas.
Fears are only energy, a vibration we feel inside. If we become aware of that, we can sit back and transmute that energy, send it out into the universe and do something positive with it. I started seeing how I could do things I’d not even thought about before. Now, when I have difficult times, I know to sit and breathe.
I have a deep, abiding faith that we’re each here for a reason. The more I look for that reason in my own life – look for guidance about what I should be doing and follow that inspiration – the more graceful and beautiful my life becomes. God brought me here for a reason. If I let God guide me, I’m in heaven.
– Dave Smiley
Explore More Meaning
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stylist extraordinaire. growth seeker. light beamer.
Aly Scott is the founder of StyleChic, a global VIP shopping and styling company catering to all body types, lifestyles and budgets. She then launched JILRO, a clothing line breaking all sizes barriers. [www.stylechicla.com]
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coach. adventurer. that confidence guy.
Rich Litvin is an expert in developing deep, inner, natural confidence. He founded The Confident Woman's Salon. [www.richlitvin.com]
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listener. describer. activist.
Author Kirsten Olson is Chief Listening Officer at Old Sow Consulting. She's a founding board member of IDEA, a national not-for-profit that forwards democratic practices in education. [www.kirstenolson.org]
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love doctor. story buster. enoughness spreader.
Relationship coach Mitch Newman provides individuals and couples with tools for staying in relationships longer than a holiday weekend. Side effects may include joy, gratitude, and an enlarged heart. [www.cardtherapy.com]
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miboso guru. life lover. light shiner.
Sabrina Bolin founded MyMiBoSo (My MInd, BOdy, and SOul), a coaching and healing practice where she compassionately guides others to create joy through the mind, body, and soul. [www.MyMiBoSo.com]
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creative teacher. storyteller. kid sparker.
Lee is an actor, director, and a founding member of Story Pirates. He enjoys playing music and being a teaching artist. [www.storypirates.org]
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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.
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author. nagual. wisdom sharer.
Combining new insights with old wisdom, don Miguel Ruiz has dedicated his life to sharing the ancient Toltec wisdom by translating it into practical concepts that promote transformation through truth and common sense. [www.miguelruiz.com]
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