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
lean forward
Katie Visco
runner. country crosser. first stepper.
Katie Visco created Pave Your Lane, a campaign to enliven our world through connection to ourselves and each other. The second-youngest person and the 13th woman to run across America, Katie is now running her message across all 50 states. [www.paveyourlane.com]
I run a lot! Some people might think it’s crazy, but running is my spiritual connection to life. It’s hard to put into words because it’s the feeling of being alive. Through running, I have a purpose. It connects me with community and with the bigger picture that unites us all. It allows me to serve something greater.
I’m still learning to hear what my body tells me, both physically and emotionally. I’m trying to get better at listening. Like running, listening to my body is a practice. I like to get up before the sun rises, take a deep breath, be still, and listen. On most mornings, my body tells me it’s time to go for a run, but sometimes it says, “You’re going to work hard the rest of the week, so today you need a break. Stay in your jammies, do some writing, and cook yourself some pancakes!”
Occasionally, I have a day when I know I have to train, but I’m just not feeling it. When that happens, I tell myself to take the first step. Within a few minutes of stepping out the door, I feel that flow and I’m back to my connection and my purpose. The first step is always worth it. This applies to the bigger picture of life, too. Small steps in the beginning can amount to something significant in the end. They can lead us to places we could never have foreseen.
Taking a first step is like taking a leap of faith. I recently read a story about an Olympic skier. In an interview, he was asked about the difference between winners and everybody else. He said that winners lean forward the most when things get hard. There’s a parallel with the practice of taking the first step. Connect with your passion and the spark that drives you, then take a step towards that. When it gets hard, remember to lean forward. If you’re confused and unfocused, lean forward. It’s so literal, but also applicable to so much of life.
We can find motivation by going back to the basics and asking, “What do I value?” When we discover what we truly value, we can use that as a building block. Value-driven action can really help our world. Take a moment to ask, reflect, and listen.
– Katie Visco
Explore More Meaning
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laughter inducer. animal lover. good wife.
Bridget McManus is recognized for her provocative and uninhibited style. She's toured the world as a stand-up comic and appeared in a number of television specials. [www.bridgetmcmanus.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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choice advocator. fear extinguisher. transformation guide.
Vaishali is an international health & wellness speaker who has appeared on The Dr. Oz Radio Show and Oprah.com. Vaishali learned to transform her life from the threat of two terminal disease diagnoses, domestic abuse, and financial devastation. [www.purplev.com/alivehealthy]
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television journalist. author. chief correspondent.
Jim Moret is a veteran television journalist, author, and attorney who's currently Chief Correspondent for Inside Edition and a CNN contributor. [www.jimmoret.com]
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education advocate. author. innovator.
Author Lisa Nielsen is an outspoken advocate of learning innovatively. She works to help schools and districts educate in real and innovative ways that prepare students for success. [http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com]
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animal lovers. life respecters. angels.
In 1996, Allen and Linda Anderson founded the Angel Animals Network ("Where Pets Are Family"), using the power of stories to increase love and respect for all life. [www.angelanimals.net]
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yoga teacher. journeyer. harmonizer.
Savira Gupta is a yoga teacher, journeyer, and truth seeker. She helps people combine breath and movement to bring body, mind, and spirit into harmony. [www.yogasavy.com]
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self acknowledger. dream reviver. bakery investor.
Nick Bassill is a serial entrepreneur, author, and the founder of Launch America!, a social networking, coaching, and advocacy site for start-ups and small businesses. Nick's passion is helping men and women fulfill their American Dream. [www.LaunchAmerica.org]
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