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
chase dreams
James Craigmiles
actor. observer on set. tear jerker.
James Craigmiles resides in Hollywood chasing the dream he has had since four years old. He recently launched My Hollywood Way to provide other entertainers with the tips and tools he wishes he had upon his Tinseltown arrival. [www.myhollywoodway.com]
When I was four I played the Big Bad Wolf in my class’s production of “The Three Little Pigs.” I had a paper plate attached to my face that had pipe cleaners glued on as whiskers. For me it wasn’t about the costume. That moment I saw that I could affect an audience and what that made me feel inside. It was then that I knew I wanted to be an actor.
Over a decade later I was the title role in “The Music Man” in our high school production. That was when I realized that I’m a great actor. Oh, and that I should never sing again. Ever.
In college I did another play, “Scooter Thomas Makes it To the Top of The World.” My Mom came and she cried so hard she could barely speak afterward, her cheeks stained with mascara. Through grade school, high school, college, and beyond I have always had one driving factor: to see myself on the big screen. I have never cared about the money or fame. I am quite content with the lifestyle I have. Hearing my Mom’s voice cracking and seeing her eyes filled with tears the first time she saw me onscreen was worth more than all of the gold in the world.
I even tried to give up acting. I moved away for four years to Austin. I got disconnected. I lost hope. I lost my focus. I forgot that I was chasing a dream, not working toward a job. I spent three of those years miserable, going to school for a “good” career that I didn’t want any part of. Then the last year I wrote, directed, produced, edited, and starred in a 14 minute short called, “METRO.” That was the best year of my life. The outpouring of support I got from family and friends just blew my mind. At the premier of the film my Mom came up to me, crying, and asked, “When are you going back?” She knew. I knew. Three months later I was driving a U-haul back across country.
I am an actor. I don’t care if I become rich, famous, or can even ever have a normal job so long as I can do what I love. Pursue something that inspires you. Even the sounds of being on a set inspire me. I’m smiling now imagining a DP yelling at his first AD to grab track. Random, but awesome.
– James Craigmiles
Explore More Meaning
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non-profit philanthropist. insightful thinker. thanks giver.
Judi Goldfader is a philanthropy consultant and non-profit strategist, currently serving as Vice President Development of Insight University and Insight Seminars. www.givingtuesday.org/insight-university
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journalist. advocate. godfather of slow.
Journalist Carl Honoré has written for The Economist, The Observer, and National Post, but he is best known for his advocacy of the Slow Movement. [www.carlhonore.com]
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muralist. creativity inspirer. permanent inker.
London native Shelley Cassidy's artwork has been displayed in numerous private homes, offices, upscale retail spaces, and Los Angeles International Airport. She teaches budding painters and knows there's an artist within each of us. [www.shelleycassidy.com]
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original thinker. entrepreneurial leader. knowledge hunter.
Over the years, Michael E. Gerber's?companies have helped tens of thousands of small business owners to successfully transform their businesses into world-class operations. [www.michaelegerbercompanies.com]
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laugh giver. community embracer. comedic connector.
Abby Lodmer traverses the world, bringing light and healing through humor. She's performed in comedy clubs around the globe, uplifting humanity through her show, Humor Healing Humanity. [www.humorhealinghumanity.com]
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songwriter. artist. full potentialist.
Joshua Smith is an Emmy nominated singer and the creator of "Home on the Road," a gathering of stories shared by common folk about where passion and commitment can lead. [www.listentojoshua.com]
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actor. re-inventor. mind wrangler.
Sarah Taylor is an actor, comedian and meditation teacher who continues to discover daily how to get in and out of her own way while helping others with the same. [www.sarahtaylor.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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