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
courage
Debra Oakland
writer. joyful experiencer. courage advocate.
Within six years, Debra Oakland lost her son, her unborn child, two brothers, and her father. Instead of giving up, she chooses to live in courage, joy, and power. [www.livingincourageonline.com]
Living in courage is most meaningful to me on my particular journey. Life can throw us curve-balls. It’s how we handle them that I find fascinating. Every one of us has had major challenges to overcome. Those challenges can make or break us. I choose to grow and become strengthened by them, which has led me to talking about courage with others.
We’re incredibly powerful beings, and yet, as Sting sings, “how fragile we are.” There’s a bridge between being broken and living in power. We get to choose which side of the bridge to be on and who we’ll assist to the other side. It takes courage to believe in ourselves, to be our true authentic selves, never apologizing for who we are. If we can create a spiritual space inside ourselves, a place where we can overcome life’s biggest challenges, we’ll truly live in courage. By navigating the bumps in the road wisely, joy becomes a very good travel partner.
Living in courage is a big, broad subject. I see courage as the will to act from the strength and power within the heart. Courage isn’t something we have; it’s something we become. Living a courageous life happens when we allow the true essence of who we are to rise up and shine for all the world to see – regardless of other people’s opinions. Courageous individuals who are true to themselves feel a powerful resolve that’s unshakable, a true conviction of purpose, a willingness to carry on in the face of any challenge.
Standing in the power of purpose is a pure point of courage, available to everyone who cares to utilize it in their life. That brings forward the power that’s alive within. If that power has been diminished greatly, when awakened it can shatter the fear of moving forward toward an intention or goal.
Greatness arises from mediocrity. Lives are altered as awareness shifts to possibility and progress. The union of courage and honor is a great gift within the heart of every human soul.
My deepest wish is for us all to live courageously from the heart. I can’t think of a better place to live from. Can you?
– Debra Oakland
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miss smartypants. situational editor. grace dweller.
Entrepreneur and advisor Courtney Nichols Gould is the co-founder/co-ceo of SmartyPants Vitamins. Their goal is to simplify health, putting it in the reach of more people more of the time. [www.smartypantsvitamins.com]
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paradigm shifter. motivational pundit. serenity finder.
George Resch loves seeing light bulbs illuminate over people's heads. He uses what he's learned about life to spark paradigm shifts that help people feel better. [www.happyisthenewrich.wordpress.com]
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positivity purveyor. soul broadcaster. light-worker.
Marie Manning, known affectionately as "Twinkle" by many friends and colleagues, founded TV for Your Soul to bring positive messages of hope and community-stewardship, and empowerment to the world. [www.TVforYourSoul.com]
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moment capturer. love admirer. friend of the bride + groom.
Parris Whittingham is a relationship photographer and creative producer. Based in NYC, he collaborates with a select couples and business clients to unleash their stories. [fromparriswithlove.com]
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Author. Activist. "Skinny Bitch".
Rory Freedman is a vegan, animal rights activist, Skinny Bitch, and a #1 New York Times bestselling author. [www.roryfreedman.com]
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hypnotherapist. neurophysioligist. pattern shifter.
Through his study of subconscious behavior patterns, Los Angeles hypnotherapist Brennan Smith realized that none of us is broken we're 100% worthy of having the lives we want. [www.brennansmith.com]
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yoga teacher. humanitarian. voice for social change.
Seane Corn is an internationally celebrated yoga teacher and humanitarian, the National Yoga Ambassador for YouthAIDS, and cofounder of Off The Mat, Into the World, a leadership-training program. [www.seanecorn.com]
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master storyteller. mythology scholar. mosaicist.
Michael Meade is a master storyteller, a scholar of mythology, and an author. He founded the Mosaic Multicultural Foundation, a network of artists, teachers, and activists fostering community. [www.mosaicvoices.org]
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