
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]

Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. [www.huffingtonpost.com]

Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]

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]

Norman Lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. [www.normanlear.com]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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
persevere

I’m just an average person, living an average life. I breathe in and out. I walk one foot in front of the other. But the way I do these simple tasks has completely changed since January 2012 when my 17 year old sister, Taylor, decided to end her own life. Now, I have to remind myself to do these simple tasks. The way I think and feel about everything has changed. Everything I thought I knew, the way I lived my life, the way I’ve loved and laughed…it all changed.
I’ve overcome far too many challenges and obstacles in my short 33 years on this earth. Life hasn’t been fair. Not that anyone ever promised me that it was going to be. But my life is important. It has meaning and purpose.
Sometimes what gives our life meaning and purpose isn’t the answer to our dreams or prayers. It isn’t always written in black and white, dangling in front of our face. It isn’t always what we intend or want. Sometimes, our purpose even comes from tragedy.
Nine months ago, I couldn’t get out of bed because I was so broken and lost. Today, I have a new purpose. I am saving lives. I don’t have a map to follow, nor do I have any answers to most of my questions. What I do have is perseverance, and that can’t be taken from me. It’s what helps me find the strength I need to make it through the day. And if I can, anyone can!
My sister’s death has taught me to live. I will continue to breathe in and out. Put one foot in front of the other. I will get up when I fall. Smile through the pain. Fall in love with as many things as possible. I will face fear with the courage I need to be the victor. I will always remember to remind others that they matter to someone. I will find beauty, not fault, in all things around me. I will always look for light in the darkness. I will keep my sister’s spirit alive by doing all of this in her name and in her honor. I will PERSEVERE.
– Nicole Krugh
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