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
here + now
Michelle Vink
innovative marketer. yogi. whole-picture see’er.
Michelle Vink is a Brand Strategist for her company, VinkMedia. She is a dedicated yogi and lives with her dog, Kazuki where they try to do their part in making the world a better place, appreciating every moment. [www.vinkmedia.com]
I was standing in the elevator watching everyone on their smart phones – e-mailing, Facebooking, Foursquaring, Tweeting, Yelping, texting and ignoring the people around them. Not even a kind gesture as the doors opened and everyone pushed their way out. We were so detached from each other.
As a publicist in Los Angeles, I was constantly on my phone and always in a rush. I was as guilty as anyone. However, I had just started reading a book called Be Here Now and immediately noticed how disconnected we were, even with all of these new forms of communication.
Around the same time, I decided to try out a new yoga studio. I’ve always found yoga postures to be helpful with relieving muscle tension. Not to mention, it always gives me 90 minutes of “me” time. After stumbling upon a little yoga studio near my home, I met yoga instructor and guru Shad Cruz.
Walking in for the first time, I felt this overwhelming feeling of peace. Then he opened the class with a vibrating OM that lingered for what seemed to be the most harmonious minutes of my life. It was clear this was much more than a yoga class. This would be a transformational experience.
So it began. Every day at 6pm: yoga. At the end of each day, I could regain perspective, clarity, focus, strength and gratitude. Shad’s beautifully articulate chants and postures helped me to find balance, improving both my physical and mental health. I was so hungry for more knowledge that Shad suggested I explore yoga further and recommended several books. This new inspiration naturally made me want to know everything.
I was beginning to see the whole picture. All these years of attending yoga, I had focused only on the physical elements. I never understood that the breaths and postures were not only a vehicle to gain physical, mental and emotional strength, but also an opportunity to find a higher purpose in my life.
For the first time, I felt truly connected to my mind, body and spirit. I was starting to understand what it meant to live in the now. I was starting to connect with other human beings in a meaningful way, outside of technology.
Now I understand what it means to truly be here now, and I don’t want to miss a minute of it.
– Michelle Vink
Explore More Meaning
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survivor. fitness motivator. serenity manifester.
In 2000, Jenna Phillips survived a head trauma accident and was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. She motivates and inspires people through Mission Possible, her health and fitness company. [www.jennaphillips.com]
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spiritual teacher. modern mystic. ever-evolver.
Howard Falco is an international author, speaker, and spiritual teacher specializing in the power of the mind. His book on self-awareness and empowerment is titled, I AM: The Power of Discovering Who You Really Are. [www.howardfalco.com]
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filmmaker. writer. word maker-upper.
Stephanie Angel is the founder and Executive Director of Angelight Films, a non-profit production company that helps children with brain tumors express themselves by creating their own short films. [www.angelightfilms.org]
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idea advocate. circle breaker. survivor.
Mohammad Ruhul Kader is completing an MBA in Bangladesh. He intends to live life to the fullest while helping others do the same. To inspire new entrepreneurs, Mohammad created Future Start Up. [www.futurestartup.com]
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writer. teacher. expert relocator.
Susan Pohlman is a freelance writer based in Scottsdale, Arizona. She's an award-winning author, published essayist, and short film wordsmith. [www.susanpohlman.com]
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producer. creator. storyteller.
Film producer Harold Linde creates stories for our culture about living in harmony with the planet. [www.freetheslaves.net]
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consciousness shifter. choice embracer. happy dancer.
As an intuitive guide, transformative healer, author, and creator of Soul Integration Therapy, Kate Bares-Johnson has developed a very real and powerful approach to life as a choice. [www.thecenterforwellbeing.com]
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motivational speaker. businessman. philanthropist.
James Malinchak has delivered over 2,200 motivational presentations, owns three businesses, has written eight books, and is a Contributing Author and Associate Editor for the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. [www.malinchak.com]
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