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
connection
Lissa Rankin
pink medicine revolutionary. community builder. mojo reconnector.
Author, artist, motivational speaker, and Pink Medicine Revolutionary Lissa Rankin, MD, founded OwningPink.com, a website and workshops that build authentic community and empower women to get their mojo back. [www.linkedin.com/in/lissarankin]
Life is about love. That’s what we’re here for. I think love is the purpose, the meaning, what we’re here to do, what we look for when we look back at our lives and all our accomplishments.
I’m proud of many things – missions, visions, professional accomplishments, dreams – but I know that at the end of my life I’ll be most grateful for and find the most meaning in the relationships I’ve had – with my family, my friends, the people who have fed my soul. I’ll be most grateful for the love.
I was raised in an incredible family. I’m one of those bizarre people who had a storybook childhood. It’s not that I haven’t had my struggles and broken hearts – by the time I was 33 I was twice-divorced – but even in really hard times, I always have an innate sense that things will land butter-side-up.
During my 12 years of medical education, I learned what many people learn when they have a difficult family. I’m nearly recovered from the stress of that extremely traumatic, abusive environment, where I was at the mercy of the physicians who were my teachers. There was a lot of sexual harassment and physical abuse, which I was not prepared for. Even so, those traumas didn’t shake my foundation. I credit my family, because I was raised to believe that no matter what happens I am held – there’s support, there’s love.
I was fueled to change my life and do the work I’m doing now during what I came to call my own perfect storm. In 2007, in the space of two weeks, I gave birth to my daughter, my dog died, my brother wound up in liver failure as a side effect from an antibiotic, and my beloved father passed away. Eight months later, when I was starting to take a breath, my husband cut off two fingers with a table saw. That year put everything into perspective and launched me onto a different path.
When my dad, a 59-year-old doctor, was diagnosed with a brain tumor and told he had three months to live, I couldn’t help asking myself, What if I only had three months to live? Would I be living this life? My answer was a resounding, Hell, no!
I think trauma inspires people to choose to lead lives that are more meaningful. I’d love to think we don’t have to wait for that.
– Lissa Rankin
Explore More Meaning
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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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event producer. interior designer. ambiance maker.
Shay Watson is the founder of Aesthetica Events, which designs and produces events all over the world. His acute aesthetic sense has also led him into the world of home design and décor. [www.aestheticaevents.com]
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teacher. natural innovator. clementine artist.
Teacher, natural products innovator, and founder of Clementine Art, Diana Mercer works in pursuit of a world where all children are artists even after they grow up. [www.clementineart.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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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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author. artist. awakener.
Mark Griffin is the founder of the Hard Light Center of Awakening, Fire Mountain Retreat, and the Third Millennium Awakening. He's also a prolific author and artist. [www.markgriffin.info]
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leadership consultant. business coach. proud redhead.
Dr. Zara Larsen is a change leadership consultant and business coach. Her weekly radio show encourages us to create our own path by walking on it. [www.thelarsengroup.com]
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Yoga Teacher. Storyteller. Recovery Expert.
Tommy Rosen is an expert in addiction and recovery, a gifted storyteller, and a certified yoga teacher. He helps people live more fulfilling, healthier lives.
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