A charismatic visionary and transformational teacher, Kute Blackson offers a fresh, bold look at spiritual awareness for a whole new generation.
Born in Ghana, West Africa, Kute's multicultural upbringing as the child of a Japanese mother and a Ghanaian father has spanned four different continents. His unique lineage lay the foundation for his approach to breaking down barriers and unlocking an individual's true gifts and greatness.
Though Kute was raised all over the world, he had always dreamed of life in America. As if by kismet, he won a green card just after finishing school in London. He came to America alone just months later, with no connections or prospects. When Kute arrived in Los Angeles, all he had to his name were two suitcases and the dream of seeking out the spiritual and self-help icons who had inspired him when he was a boy.
Kute quickly learned that the "outside-in" approach favored by so many in the personal development space had to become an inside-out approach. So he decided to create his own method—a process that liberates the individual and the true self at the core and then pushes those gifts outward into the universe. This helps the individual get in touch with who they really are. It is a process of breaking free—so that the individual can live, give, and share the truest expression of their self. This is what Kute calls "Liberated Living."
Colored with experiences from his own incredible journey, Kute’s debut book, You.Are.The.One., published by Simon & Schuster and released worldwide on June 7, 2016, shows readers how to unlock their true potential and live a life they love, through love.
Kute is a next generation world leader out to awaken millions to Love and to Live their inspired destiny.
Always obsessed with spirituality, starting at a young age, Kute had witnessed miracles that others have only dreamed of. His childhood and experiences have helped create the liberated man he is today.
Around the age of eight, picking up his first self-help book, Kute began to ask the questions of “who are we, why are we here and what is the purpose of life?” Intrigued in spreading the answers, Kute also began speaking in front of thousands of people at his Father’s church’s. At only 14 years old, he became an ordained minister.
Knowing that this wasn't his ultimate path and “want” in life, Kute was afraid to speak up, thinking he would lose the acceptance and love of his father and people around him.
“After about four years of inner turmoil, I came to realization that I could follow the expected life, the save life, but if I became successful in everyone else's lives but not my own, then what was the point?”
Kute shares with us his memories of sneaking out of his parents tiny apartment, and into the church, in the middle of the night, with the lights off, to practice speaking for 3-4 hours to empty chairs.
“I would pour my heart out, speaking a message of inspiration and dreams, imagining souls in the chairs having real life transformations.”
When 18 came around, Kute knew it was time to have the talk with his Father about leaving the ministry to follow his dreams.
“Nothing was worth compromising my soul and compromising my happiness.”
With one of the most inspiring stories, I am ecstatic to share his love and light with my audience. He reminds us that the universe is ours for the taking and “no” is not an answer. Ditch the excuses, take responsibility, and go out there and own your power!
Get ahold of you power and follow Kute to continue to inspire you at kuteblackson.com. Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Learn how to live an INTENTIONAL life to work toward happiness.
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You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Gabrielle Bernstein has been named “a new thought leader” by Oprah Winfrey. She appears regularly as an expert on The Dr. Oz show, and was named “a new role model” by the New York Times. Gabrielle is the New York Times best-selling author of the books May Cause Miracles and Miracles Now. Her other titles include Add More ~ing to Your Life and Spirit Junkie. In the fall of 2016 she will release her fifth book, The Universe Has Your Back.
Gabrielle, a “spiritual activist” recently teamed up with Deepak Chopra to co-host the Guinness Book of World Re-cords largest group meditation. Youtube named Gabrielle one of 16 Youtube Next Video Bloggers, she was named one of Mashable’s 11 Must-Follow Twitter Accounts for Inspiration and she’s featured on the Forbes List of 20 Best Branded Women. She has been featured in media outlets such as ELLE, OWN, Kathy Lee & Hoda, The Today Show, Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday, The Queen Latifah Show, Anderson Live, Access Hollywood, Marie Claire, Health, SELF, Women’s Health, Glamour, Help Desk the cover of Experience Life Magazine and more.
The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear, To Faith by Gabrielle Bernstein is now available to purchase! As an avid reader of Gabby’s books, I will be the first to tell you, picking up a copy is a MUST.
“I wrote this book now because I believe that we are living in such a scary time, that without some type of faith, of our own understanding, that we will spin out during these times.”
It’s important to stay connect with a higher power. It’s not about the faith I believe in, or your best friend believes in, it’s about the power that gets YOU up in the morning. Gabby’s new book is a guide for peace, an easy-to-understand read to find your purpose and to serve.
“When we are out of alignment with that loving energy and loving belief system, thats when we are in fear.”
Filled with practices and tools, The Universe Has Your Back will shift you from fear to faith. Make sure to grab a copy today!
For more on Gabrielle’s work visit www.Gabbyb.tv or join her social networking community HerFuture.com for women to empower, inspire and connect. Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
“Never lose a holy curiosity” - Albert Einstein
There’s no denial we are curious creatures, but it’s unfortunate how often we tend to ignore our curious tendencies.
I truly believe that curiosity is what causes creation and creation is what makes the world go ‘round. Having a “safe place” or a network of people to be able to explore your curiosities, judgment free, is vital.
“I believe that curiosities are our soul telling us which place to go to next.”
Whether it is a comfort zone, or a completely new area, tapping into your inner curious feelings can lead you to indescribable adventures and achievements.
“If there is something burning in your soul, keep that question if your forefront.”
Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Jen Sincero is a New York Times bestselling author, success coach, and motivational cattle prod who has helped countless people transform their personal and professional lives via her seminars, public appearances, newsletters, products and books. In 2011, she gave up her home in California to travel the planet indefinitely, encouraging as many people as possible “to live lives of unbridled awesomeness.” She is currently staying in New Mexico. Starting out as a freelance writer and “broke as joke” as she called it, she knew there was so much more for her to be doing on this earth and so much more money to be making, on this earth.
“After decades of struggling and getting jobs here and there, I finally focused my energy on making money because it just wasn't happening for me.”
It’s never too late to learn lessons, and Jen finally learned that actually focusing on a goal and taking the necessary steps towards it, is the only way to achieve higher accomplishments. Sitting around and wishing for it to fall from the sky, will never happen (although that would be pretty cool.) Deciding to dive into self-help, money making and coaching books, she devoted her time to understanding how it all can work for you, as long as your energy and effort is 100%.
“That's how my book You Are a Badass happened. It was first me getting my act together and then teaching people how to get their act together.”
She teaches us how to put off the opinions and judgements of others, no matter what. Getting uncomfortable with your situation is the #1 way to make things happen!
“If you aren't ready to get uncomfortable, it’s not going to happen.”
Our belief system can by our best friend or our worst night-mare. What we believe, is how we feel and how we feel then translates to how we act.
“I had to change my thoughts about money and greed. I also how to change my beliefs about what people my think of me, especially my family.”
Unsure on where to even begin, to find your inner badass? Becoming really clear with yourself and your personal goals is the easiest yet BIGGEST first step you can take. It’s about the willingness to be able to step away from the old “norm,” to create yourself one BADASS life.
To learn more about Jen and her mission, visit JenSincero.com. Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
It’s not about going through things, its about GROWING through things. It is about setting goals, celebrating the small wins on the way to the big ones and setting yourself up for success, no matter the trial and errors.
The people who are closest to us and see our full potential, are usually the ones who “test” us, not to mention the curve balls, the universe likes to throw at us every once in awhile.
“Curve balls are just the universe saying; 'How bad do you really want it?!'”
Intentional Growth (verb:) Purposely putting yourself in intimidating situations - Lori Harder
Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Madly in love with his wife. Natural philosopher. Producer of his own life.
These three things pretty much sum up Zach Slobin and his insatiable desire to knock, question the everyday rules and then bend life to create massive freedom, joy, and abundance.
After weathering life’s natural ups and downs, being lost in “finding his purpose,” and navigating through the inevitable entrepreneurial storms, he can tell you the stories of hitting several physical, emotional, spiritual and financial bottoms.
He’s the athlete who almost went pro, but severe injuries kept him from his dream.
He’s the top guy who walked away from a good corporate job (and the money), because it was suffocating.
He’s the man who wouldn’t settle until he found his soulmate. And he’s the entrepreneur who was so committed to excellence, he created financial freedom at just 34 years of age.
Grateful for the lessons all the losses have taught him, one thing is for sure–he can show you how to play the game of life and win it.
As a Master Speaker, Trainer and Coach, Zach’s greatest thrill in life is showing people how to go from where they are to where they deserve to be by removing the BS lies they tell themselves, so they can be, do and have ANYTHING they desire. Flashing back with Zach to the ripe old age of 8, it was even then that he knew he’d one day become an entrepreneur.
“All the kids were asked what we wanted to be when we grew up. Most said doctors, astronauts or lawyers, but when it was my turn, I said I don't know what I want to be, but I know I want to do a lot of things at once.”
A year later, at only 9 years of age, Zach lost his best friend to Leukemia. It was during this tragic event, that had little Zach pondering why the world worked as it did.
“I always knew there were greater truths, than what I was being offered.”
During his high school days, Zach began to realize that maybe not everyone was as authentic as he wished, but even so, he decided from that point on he would be nothing less than 100% honest. As you can imagine, not conforming to what everyone else is doing at that age, isn't always simple, but taking the high road, Zach refused to change for anyone. Jumping forward to his early twenties, Zach moved to San Francisco and began to emerge himself into his career. At 23, he found himself working in a high-rise with a successful mortgage broker business partner. From the outside looking in, he looked set, especially for such a young adult…but he didn't stop there. A wise friend once told him “You can go through this or you can GROW through this.” Words that Zach continue to live by. Touching on the four realms in which we live in, he shares with us his daily habit that gets him going in the morning.
“If I hit on all four categories, no matter what else is going on throughout my day, if I can just build the muscle of hitting those 4 areas, then I am building the muscle of serving my highest value.”
Zach is the inspiration and motivation we have all been looking for, to follow our hearts and go after exactly what makes us happy, and nothing less.
Learn more about how to upgrade your life and never, ever settle at www.zachslobin.com.
Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
“I generally find the comparison is the fast track to unhappiness. No one every compares themselves to someone else, and comes out even.” -Jack Canfield
Have we all compared ourselves at some point or another? Of course! But what we are failing to realize, is that we are comparing someone’s “highlight reel,” to our reality and where we are right now.
The motivation behind my morning Facebook lives with you all, is to show that we have to start before we are ready. It is not all about the kind of makeup we wear, or who's hair looks better, or even who's body is more fit, it’s to show that we are all human and there is no need to every compare apples to apples.
“We should always feel safe enough to show up being exactly who we are!”
Our life missions should be based around how fast we can forgive. That way we can move forward and back into a place of love, because everything stems from love.
Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Monetize Thyself™ with Nicole Walters is a transformative lifestyle brand offering online training courses, consulting, mentorship, networking and a full suite of resources to help everyday people, brands and leaders realize their full potential.
Nicole Walters is a Baltimore, MD transplant and Washington, D.C. native. She relocated the Baltimore area while attending The Johns Hopkins University and studying Political Science. Soon after, she entered the corporate world of Business Development and Marketing.
Nicole has worked as a client-facing business executive for Fortune 500 companies in both sales and marketing for over 10 years. In her previous role with an S&P international healthcare organization, she managed business relationships with multi-billion dollar corporations and independently facilitated pitching, prospecting, and client relationship management in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. Nicole brings her expertise in monetizing multi-billion dollar corporations to you – everyone from stay at home parents to small business owners can access her affordable and entertaining webinars and private monetization coaching. Using her trademarked Pitch & Pray™ method, Nicole will help you embrace the #monetizethyself™ mindset, and realize your brand’s fiscal goals.
In just 11 months, Nicole has built herself a 7-figure business, as she tells us “Miracles happen and God is good!” As the daughter of two hard working immigrants, in inner-city DC, Nicole’s upbringing didn't always come with the mindset of “it’s always going to work,” that was something she had to teach herself. Her mother was a secretary and her father was a taxi driver.
“One thing they did instill was keeping positivity, staying focused and that your income does not determine your outcome.”
Flashing forward, Nicole jumped into entrepreneurship in a way I had yet to hear, up until now… This powerhouse lady quit her job via Periscope with thousands of people watching her live! She knew where her passion lie and she wasn’t about to give up the opportunity to jump for it. But the idea of being bigger and better had to start somewhere. She shares some of her pivotal childhood memories, riding in the front seat of the cab, with her Dad.
“He pointed out a tall building and told me “You can have your name on the side of one, or you can get stuck cleaning one. The only difference is up to you.”
You can hear in her voice, the confidence and self-love that she streams, enough to have led her into her dream and 7-figure salary life.
“I just knew I couldn't live paycheck to paycheck.”
Looking to become your own entrepreneur but scared to take the initial leap?! Let Nicole’s inspiring story lead you to your dream life.
You can find Nicole on Facebook @monetizethyself and get in touch with her and connect via her website at Nicolewalters.tv Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Liana Werner-Gray is a Best Selling Author for "The Earth Diet" published by Hay House including #1 on Amazon in 9 different categories. She is an advocate for natural healing using a wholesome diet and lifestyle. In 2009 Liana started an online blog in an attempt to break her 5-year addiction to junk food binge eating. She declared that for 365 days she would eat only foods directly from nature and called it "The Earth Diet". In 3 months Liana healed herself of many health conditions including a stage 1 golf ball size tumor in her lymphatic system, chronic fatigue, glandular fever virus and digestive issues. Liana found a way to have all her favorite foods but in a more natural way that nourished the body as well as hit the pleasure spots. Word of mouth spread as the best diet for weight loss (New Idea Magazine) where women could have their cake and eat it too, and she began lecturing and teaching about the Earth Diet internationally including teaching children at schools about making good choices. Liana has travelled to 17 countries. Liana has a weekly radio show every Wednesday 6pm EST on HayHouseRadio.com Liana and her work The Earth Diet have been featured globally on media including Fox News, Better TV, Woman's Own, News 12 (New York), Sirius XM, The Sun, Getty Images, The Telegraph, iTunes, Indian Times, The Hindu, Business Insider, Spirit & Destiny magazine, Natural Awakenings, Mind Body Green and more.
Liana was born in Australia, raised in the outback and currently resides in New York City. Growing up in the outback of Australia, Liana was raised with a very natural upbringing. At the age of 18, she moved to Brisbane City and pursued a career in the arts: Entertainment and TV Production. Finally living on her own, not to mention in a big and modern city compared to the outback, Liana began eating junk foods she was not accustomed to as a child. More specifically, candy or “lollies” as they call is in Australia.
“I enjoyed the sugar high it gave me, it was like a drug.”
Whether it be drugs or alcohol. Liana knew that addiction ran in her family and her “drug of choice” was junk food, it was an unhealthy habit that she had to break. She had the mindset of “I’ll just start next Monday,” binge eating all the junk food she could until Monday popped up. A vicious cycle she dealt with for 5 years! Finally realizing that only she was in control of her body and what she fed it, Liana had a wake up call. A lump had appeared in her neck and continued to slowly grow. Taking herself first to a natural doctor, and then being recommended to the hospital, she knew it wasn't going to be a positive outcome. After the biopsies, Liana was told she had a stage-one tumor in her Lymphatic system, chronic fatigue and glandular fever.
“I knew I had done it to myself, I had poisoned my body.”
That’s when she took the first step. She declared to herself that enough was enough and from then on, she would treat her body with respect. Starting out as a blog, Liana turned her passion of food into the book, “The Earth Diet.” Make sure to tune in to hear Liana’s healthy eating tips and grab a copy of her absolutely amazing & life-changing book!
For more information on Liana, visit theearthdiet.com or you can find her on all social media outlets under The Earth Diet! Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Rachel Pesso is a brand experience designer who’s spent the past 8 years helping incredible, passion-fueled entrepreneurs and companies make a massive impact on this planet with their big dreams, and even bigger hearts.
With a blend of high-level strategy, collaboration, and deep love, she create websites, eBooks, and other visual elements that move people. Rachel believes passion should lead every step of our lives. “The things we love - exploring the world, telling stories, transforming perspectives and spending time with the people who matter most, should never come second to the way we work. They should be woven into the fabric of every step, every offering, and every heart beat of your brand and vision.” Those elements, are exactly what she pours into the brands she creates. Thanks to Rachel, the process of rebranding my business and re-vamping my website has been smooth sailing and absolutely incredible. She truly makes your dream vision a reality.
“I knew that I had to bring Rachel on my show today, because I know my brand struggles are the same as everyone else’s. She has the capability of taking your massive message, and making it pretty.”
Thinking of starting a brand? Or in the midst of one now and not sure where to take your next step? Well ladies and gentlemen, your prayers have been answered! Rachel is a breath of fresh air and a ray of sunshine to work with. From the beginning stages, to the finished masterpieces, Rachel will dive into your project, head-first with you. Always on track with the latest trends, she is able to capture the work of giants with a mix of your personal touch.
“One area where I really do think I am unique, is that I truly have a collaborative process. We really start off together through this journey.”
From Pinterest boards, to color schemes and fonts, textures and photoshoots, Rachel is a one-stop-shop. She is the beautiful mastermind behind the Lori Harder Brand and she’s ready and able to rock your brand as well!
“Its great to focus on one thing, but something I work on with all my clients, is how to tell the whole story.”
“Create. Inspire. Move people.” -Rachel Pesso
Are you ready to make your vision your reality? Visit Rachel at rachelpesso.com for a glimpse of what she can do for you! Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Personal trainer, peak performance coach and podcaster Ted Ryce has overcome a tremendous amount in his quest to live a legendary life. Ryce has worked with Fortune 500 CEOs, busy professionals and celebrities, including Richard Branson, Ricky Martin and Robert Downey Jr. He helps his clients develop and stick with high-performance habits that help them manage stress and adversity and lead more successful lives. His philosophy is that being a high-performance person, one who chases and achieves their biggest goals, isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity to survive and thrive in the modern world. His path to becoming a high-performance person was beset by tragedy he needed to overcome. After losing his Mother in high school and spiraling into a darker place, Ted opens up with us about the beginning stages to his life and career, and how personal tragic events in his past have brought him to where he is now. Barely passing high school, by the skin of his teeth, Ted was accepted into a University where he there endured yet another tragic event. Receiving the news that his 9 year old brother had disappeared, put him into a tail spin. Because of his renowned parents, the news of his brother went national, catching the eyes of Bill Clinton, who was then president, and even Oprah.
“I fell apart, emotionally and physically.”
Ted knew that these life events would either bring him down to ground zero, or somehow assist in re-building himself up, bigger and better than ever. He followed his heart to where he found relief, in fitness, and eventually began to share his love for health & wellness, and message with others.
“Fitness saved my life and I mean that literally.”
Whether they are smaller or larger, up until now we have all endured life struggles and Ted is the perfect example of how to turn “a mess into a message.” Have you ever asked yourself “Why me?!” Well you're not alone! Tune in to hear Ted’s relatable life stories and how fitness truly changed his mind, body and soul.
For more tips and advice on how to make this one life of yours legendary, you can find Ted at legendarylifepodcast.com. Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Arriane Alexander is The Rock Your Life Coach with a Masters Degree in Spiritual Psychology. She helps female entrepreneurs and businesswomen step into new possibilities so they can create a life and career they’ve always dreamed of.
She spent over 12 years as a high level executive in the fashion business and walked away from that successful career to follow a heartfelt dream of succeeding in the entertainment industry and as a transformational Life Coach. Today, she works consistently as an Actor on TV shows like Justified, Grey’s Anatomy and The People vs O.J. Simpson. On top of that, she is the Host of two TV shows, and booked numerous commercials. In other words, she’s created the life of her dreams, and as a Rock Your Life coach for over a decade, she helps women do the same in a fun, inspired, and transformative way.
She works with women all over the world –Entrepreneurs, Health and Fitness Experts, and Executive Business Women to help them overcome their fears, self-doubt and any other obstacles blocking their path, to create the foundation for their new life, and a journey to take them there. Is it risky? Of course it is. Without risk, there’s no life, no excitement, and no happiness. There’s no fun, either. But once a woman starts taking risks, once she start taking bold actions, she will discover that what she thought of as impossible is suddenly within your reach. She will do things she's never done before, and wonder, “Who is this confident, radiant, and fabulous person?” It’s her. It’s been her all along, and Arriane is with her every step of the way to Rock Her Life. So excited to have the blonde, brilliant and beautiful Arriane, here with me today.
I believe her message is so important and worth hearing, especially for those of you who may need help stepping into our feminine energy and allowing their confidence to shine through. Arriane is the epitome of confidence and for those of you who attended The Bliss Project last year, you also know she is the perfect teacher of self-love as well. Growing up taller than the girls in her grade or group of friends, Arriane learned how to carry herself confidently from a young age. Whether she stood out because of her height or because of the air she carried about, one thing she knew for sure was that nothing would break her confidence streak. Like most things, her feeling of worthiness and confidence didn't hit its peak until she got older, because like everything else, it is a practice.
“I dealt with what was given to me and ended up making my first brand out of the hand I was dealt, called 'Big, Blonde and Beautiful.'"
She reminds us that everything we want to be is on the other side of fear. We must step out of our comfort zone while owning our perfections AND our flaws simultaneously. Although the confidence look may come natural to her, she knows that it may not be like that for others, which is why she decided to become a life coach teaching women just like you and me how to love ourselves, not just 50% but 100%, wholly.
“I wake up every morning asking myself how can I serve in a powerful way today? And how can life use my gifts and talents to support others for their upliftment?”
So many ways to catch up with Arriane! First and foremost www.arrianealexander.com, but also follow her on Facebook and Instagram @arrianealexander and Snapchat @arrianalex Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Amber Lilyestrom is a transformational branding and business coach, writer, mamapreneur and passionate soul on a mission.
She is the host of The Soul Fueled CEO™ Podcast and has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs turn their passions in to heart-centered brands and thriving businesses. From idea conception to the construction of the business and all of techie bits in between, Amber assists new entrepreneurs in changing the world, one beautiful brand at a time.
Having met Amber years ago, via my old site busygirlhealthylife.com and then again at a fitness camp some time after, I am ecstatic to talk to her today about all the evolution she has gone through since then!
Curious at a young age about the business world and how it all worked, Amber knew entrepreneurship was in her DNA. Starting out as her Mom’s little helper, showing and talking to the crowds about their purebred Himalayan and Persian cats, Amber went from the crazy cat girl to a business and branding genius. Finding inspiration through her college years and her soccer team, she found herself to be a natural-born leader.
“I think of it as all the dots in our lives coming together and creating our path for us.”
Fast forwarding to an extremely pivotal time on Amber’s life, she speaks about her difficulties during the birth of her child and how those extreme moments in the hospital bed lead her new awakenings and realizations. Shortly after bringing home her new and healthy baby, Amber decided to leave her corporate job and begin the journey as a “Mamapreneur,” knowing that the mix of being a new Mom and a business woman, was exactly where her passions lie.
“It’s my life and I get to write the rules for how this thing is going to go, from here on out.”
From being an amazing mother to a kick-ass entrepreneur, Amber continues to be an inspiration in all areas of the spectrum. She proves to us women, that you don't just have to be one thing or another, but that following your life’s path will eventually lead you to exactly where you are meant to be.
“You may not always end up where you thought you were going, but you will always end up where you are meant to be.” -Unknown
Is your soul on a mission too? Check out more about the beautiful and talented Amber at amberlilyestrom.com and be sure to listen to her podcast The Soul-Fueled CEO. Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook.
Jay Papasan is a best-selling author and co-owner, alongside his wife Wendy, of Papasan Properties Group with Keller Williams Realty in Austin Texas. His most recent work with Gary Keller on The ONE Thing has garnered more than 238 appearances on the National Best-seller lists including #1 on the Wall Street Journal best-seller list.
Jay serves as Gary Keller’s co-author and executive editor on best-selling titles including: The Millionaire Real Estate Agent, The Millionaire Real Estate Investor, SHIFT: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times, FLIP: How to Find, Fix, and Sell Houses for Profit,HOLD: How to Find, Buy, and Rent Houses for Wealth, and The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results. He also co-authored SHIFT Commercial.
Before joining Keller Williams Realty, Jay served as an editor at HarperCollins Publishers where he worked on such best-selling books as Body-for-Life by Bill Phillips and Go for the Goal by Mia Hamm. Growing up and going through the “normal” steps as most adolescents do, Jay went from high school, to college, to working in New York in search of his passion. Noticing that he had been living in his comfort zone, Jay set himself up for a challenge. He quit smoking and decided to run his first marathon.
“It opened up a spotlight, that if I really devote myself to something for a long period of time, something extraordinary will happen.”
Focus and determination was the thought process now, behind all that Jay set out to do. It’s a good lesson for all of us to learn, that anything is possible when you put your mind to it.
“I started to say “yes” and I meant it.”
Jay is a great example of an all-around success. As he says in the interview, he started saying yes to all conscious decisions and hasn't looked back since. Jay continues to keep a healthy marriage, a healthy business and an in-general healthy lifestyle. I think we under estimate how much opportunity life has for us. Thankfully, Jay is on today to remind us to get out there and chase these opportunities, with of course, the “better you” in mind.
“If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hell no!”
Time is the most valuable currency, spend it wisely.
You can learn more about Jay at jaypapasan.com or on Twitter @jaypapasan. Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Open: having no means of closing or barring.
It’s human nature to feel comfortable, whether it be in your relationship or your position at work, the workout class you take each morning etc…but the growth that we all crave and need comes from being open-minded to new life, new adventures.
At first this may seem off and unfamiliar, like it doesn’t quite fit the perception we had around it. Is it fair to say that we may have even set a “prejudgment” about a certain topic? I’m sure we are all guilty of this at one point or another.
“A lot of the time, our perceptions are blocking us from exactly what we need.”
A lesson to be learned and one that isn't always easy, is that when putting others down or making someone/something feel “less than,” it’s really just a reflection of ourselves.
“If I feel myself judging anyone, I ask myself, which part of me feels like I am lacking that I am looking for a flaw in them, so I can measure myself against it and attempt to win. Which never happens.”
It’s time to take the blinders off.
Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Gretchen Rubin is the author of several books, including the blockbuster New York Times bestsellers, Better Than Before, The Happiness Project and Happier at Home. She has an enormous readership, both in print and online, and her books have sold more than two million copies worldwide, in more than thirty languages.
On her popular weekly podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin, she discusses good habits and happiness with her sister Elizabeth Craft; they’ve been called the “Click and Clack of podcasters.” The podcast was named in iTunes’s lists of “Best Podcasts of 2015.” Gretchen Rubin started her career in law and was clerking for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor when she realized she wanted to be a writer. She lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters. Starting out in the filed of law, Gretchen started to realize the difference between a position and a passion. She held a renowned position clerking for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner, but knew her passion was really in writing, which led her to become a New York Time’s Best Selling Author. Lucky for us, this brought me one of my favorite reads ever, The Happiness Project.
“A happiness problem, is a habits problem”
Gretchen not only shares with us her beginnings, but also her on-going journey to a happy, healthy and more productive life. These are all the things she portrays in her podcast and books and helps others just like us, achieve. Becoming aware of our thoughts and mindset is one sure way of also becoming happier. Placing gratitude around all things instead of worry and fear will bring on more blessings than you could imagine.
“It’s not about the things you have to do, its about the things you get to do.”
We then start to realize it has nothing to do with having the glass half empty, or half full, its more about having the glass in general. She gives us the reminder to treasure each moment, and that even if something is unpleasant, it will be over soon.
“The days can seem long, but the years are short.”
Gretchen points out, that there is no one thing, that makes someone “happy.” Each habit must be personal, it has to coincide with what is true to you. With that being said, creating habits around the things that make you happy, whether small or large can change a mediocre life, to a rockstar world! We’re riding that happiness train, climb aboard!
Get your daily dose of happy at GretchenRubin.com and follow her on Twitter @gretcehnrubin.
Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Seek and you shall find. Today’s episode is meant to motivate the mind. It’s important to know that things do not just fall from the sky and into our laps. Seeking and therefore going after, is what will get you the prize.
“To be truly mindful is an inner peace practice. It is a releasing practice, a letting go practice.”
You are only in charge of YOU. After listening to one of my other favorite podcasts today Lewis Howes School of Greatness, I heard his guest say “Our control ends at our finger tips.” Being mindful of this will allow you to then control your reactions, greaten your experiences and allow you to find your inner peace.
“That’s the difference between making heaven on earth, or hell on earth.”
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Zen Cryar-DeBrücke is an internationally renowned inspirational teacher, speaker, author and coach. Her passion is teaching people to tap into their innate inner guidance to generate consistent, successful results in life. The result is replacing exhaustion, anxiety, fear and dread with ease, joy, flow and fulfillment. Zen's programs have helped thousands of people all over the world transform their lives for the better, with sustained positive changes in their business and personal lives. Her compassion radiates through her work, and her style is down to earth, practical, humorous and wise. The key to her success came when she decoded her own Internal Guidance System (IGS) and learned that everyone was born with a factory installed Inner GPS. She provides direct experience of the IGS through her courses, speaking, coaching and books. Zen is a member of the Transformational Leadership Council, which is made up of leaders, CEOs, movie producers, speakers, authors, and others who are changing the world and having a huge impact. TLC includes such luminaries as Jack Canfield, Steven Covey, and Marianne Williamson. Her best-selling book, Your Inner GPS: Use your Internal Guidance to find happiness, health and satisfaction, illustrates how to tune in to and follow our own natural-born instinct for fulfillment and how to let this inner wisdom guide us straight to success. She was a founder and CEO of one of the first Internet design companies in the world. The company, in a four-year period, quickly grew from $250,000 to $4,000,000. She is known for creating innovative online strategies that are simple and work for fortune 500 companies, including Applied Materials, IBM, Electronic Arts, BP and VISA. Taking tips off of an old school cassette that was given to her in 1993, Zen opens with describing to us how “Each of us has an internal guidance system that expands when we are on track with what we desire to happen, and contracts when we don’t.” I‘m sure we can all somehow correlate to this statement, which brings us to our next point, finding that personal quality about yourself that you've been meaning to “change,” but just haven't gotten around to yet. Deciding not to start small, but to jump right in, Zen shares with us her personal trait she knew had to go…jealousy.
“I always felt myself get jealous when I saw my boyfriend talking to other women, but it turns out, through using my internal guidance system, that I wasn't jealous. I was insecure.”
“I started looking at my own value, the things that I brought to the table”
It’s important to make sure you are working on the right thing, she tells us, to know the difference between issues and what the next steps are to finding and following your IGS (inner guidance system.) Zen then walks us through a short meditation to allow us to feel the difference between telling ourselves we do NOT have an internal guidance system and then the lightening of telling ourselves, that we DO have an internal guidance system. Although this may be new to most, it is a great first step to learning how to listen to your body. Comparing it to the “hot & cold game” we used to play as young kids, Zen says that the IGS works similarly. Just like in the game, when you were getting closer the the object you want you are opening yourself up, but when you were drifting away or otherwise “losing” you are contracting and closing yourself off, which is never the feeling we ultimately want. We all have an IGS, it’s about time you look for yours. You know what they say once you do… “Finders, keepers.”
Looking for more guidance on how to find your own, find her at zeninamoment.com for coaching and training. Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
What is normal and who would ever want to be it? It’s like picking vanilla over mint chocolate chip at the ice-cream shop…YUCK!
Life, we only get one of those. It is time to make it everything you’ve always wanted. There is no right way to hold a relationship or marriage, no “perfect” way to dress, no correct subject to study in school, no religion is better than the other etc… It’s solely about what sets your soul on fire. Thinking outside of the box and blazing our own path in life, is what makes the world go ‘round.
“Go explore the edges, that is where life happens, at the edges!”
Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Yuri Elkaim is a nutrition, fitness, and fat loss expert and the NYT bestselling author of The All-Day Energy Diet and The All-Day Fat Burning Diet. A former professional soccer player turned health crusader, he's most famous for helping people who've tried everything to lose weight and get in great shape, with little success, finally achieve breakthrough results. Yuri is on a mission to empower 10 million people to greater health by 2018 by making fit and healthy simple again.
At a young age, Yuri found his interest in health and fitness through playing sports. Traveling and competing at the highest level that he could, he went on to play professional soccer by the time he reached his early twenties.
“I never understood why people wouldn't want to be healthy and active. It’s such a great way of living.”
He was healthy and stereotypically “fit” looking on the outside, but it took him awhile to realize that his athletic-built body, was actually just a mask to what was going on internally. Yuri later found out he had Eczema, Asthma, digestive issues and extremely low energy levels, causing him to fall asleep in class and finding it hard to concentrate on important issues. Adding to his list of health issues, at the age of 17 Yuri began losing all of his hair due to an auto-immune disease known as Alopecia. He then knew something had to change about his lifestyle or the way he had been eating.
“I had been eating a lot of junk food. Not a lot of vegetables and not a lot of fruits.”
Although he was extremely knowledgable in the fitness aspect of health, since he had played sports his whole life both for fun and professionally and was also a personal trainer on the side, Yuri says he was quite clueless on the nutrition spectrum.
As soon as he changed his diet, he began to notice extreme changes. The Eczema and Asthma diminished and he started to grow all of his hair back.
“It was unbelievable. It was an eye-opening experience for me.”
Yuri’s drive to help millions of others has stemmed from his own health challenges. Enjoying the fact that he was helping people daily, as their personal trainer, he knew he wanted more from it. He wanted not to only help a handful, but millions at once which is why he turned to that internet for fast access to spreading his word, tips, diets and basic health knowledge.
A quick tip he shares with us today, is one I hope you all write down. “Getting rid of allergenic foods and adding a ton of plant-based foods to your diet,” is what Yuri found to do the trick.
“It doesn’t mean you have to be vegetarian or vegan,” he says, but adding mostly plant-based foods to anyones diet is the best thing you can do."
“There is no secret sauce. It’s not a magic pill you've never heard of before. It’s the same old boring stuff, but it’s the reality that it works.”
For more tips and guidance, visit yurielkaim.com. Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Do you find yourself traveling a lot? Maybe for work, maybe for pleasure, or maybe your everyday schedule has somehow just become more hectic. Well…join the club!
Today’s quickie is to remind you how to sustain self care, even when times get crazy.
In just a little over one month’s time, I have traveled to 5 different cities. Being someone who enjoys habit and daily routine, this tends to throw me off track and being off track can lead towards crappier food choices, less time for workouts/meditation and occasionally an extra cocktail or two.
I’m all about the extra cocktail or two, don’t get me wrong, but creating and continuing self-care during chaos is extremely important.
“I want to enjoy my life no matter what time it is. I don’t want to be waiting to be home, or waiting to be back in my routine, I want to be in the NOW!”
Realizing the positive things that recharge you, is the best way to stay on track. Of course taking the easy way out would be well…easy, but thats not what we are here for. Nothing good comes from “easy.”
“Every opportunity is an opportunity to get stronger.”
Feeling crazy and chaotic may not be your favorite feeling. Hopping on and off planes for work may not be the way you wanted you week to go, but each day we are blessed enough to rise and shine, is an opportunity to make it your own! Find your normalcy. Pack it up. Take it with you.
Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
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I am SO honored to be interviewing another one of my absolute biggest mentors and daily inspiration, Jack Canfield. As the beloved originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, Jack Canfield fostered the emergence of inspirational anthologies as a genre - and watched it grow to a billion dollar market.
As the driving force behind the development and delivery of more than 123 million books sold through the Chicken Soup for the Soul® franchise (and over 500 million copies in print worldwide), Jack Canfield is uniquely qualified to talk about success.
Behind the empire Time Magazine called the "Publishing Phenomenon of the Decade" is America's leading expert in creating peak performance for entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, managers, sales professionals, corporate employees, and educators. Over the last 30 years, his compelling message, empowering energy and personable coaching style has helped hundreds of thousands of individuals achieve their dreams. Affectionately known as "America's #1 Success Coach," Jack has studied and reported on what makes successful people different. He knows what motivates them, what drives them, and what inspires them. He brings this critical insight to countless audiences internationally---sharing his success strategies in the media, with companies, universities and professional associations. Jack is a Harvard graduate with a Master's Degree in psychological education and one of the earliest champions of peak-performance, developing specific methodologies and results-oriented activities to help people take on greater challenges and produce breakthrough results.
His proven formula for success reached global acclaim with his most recent National Bestseller, The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be.
Jack opens up with a little hint of his personal life and a list of grateful’s. From his health, to family and wife, three year old nephew and his amazing business team that guides his dreams daily. Continuing to follow his life’s work is what he intends to do, no matter his age.
“I am grateful for my health. I’ll be 72 in August and I feel like I'm 50!”
In the midst of writing his next book (along with all the other incredible things he brings to us,) Jack reminds us that everything we do in life, at the end of the day, steams from love. It is truly the ultimate choice, love or fear?
“When we come from fear we end up with yucky, messy results. When we come from love everything seems to work.”
Finding and following your true, loving purpose is the main topic of todays show with Jack. As quoted from Stephen Covey, “You don’t want to get to the top of the ladder and realize the ladder was leaving against the wrong wall.”
The path you choose in life should steam from your passions and what brings you pure happiness, so that you may then be a service to others. Many have chosen based on ego, or money and appearance, but no amount of money could amount to the feeling of bliss.
There is no big or small purpose or goal. there is just different. Each job, each path we take is what makes us unique and able to serve the world through authenticity.
Not only is Jack goal orientated and focus driven, but he is also extremely spiritual. He shares with us how meditation has become a large part of his daily routine and how it even brought him the name of one of his biggest accomplishments to this day, Chicken Soup for the Soul.
Today, he encourages us to take risks. Examine your fears, weigh out the options and trust in the higher power that everything will fall into place they way it was meant to.
Hungry for more in your life? Sit here, have some chicken soup.
Maximize your potential at jackcanfield.com and make sure to check out his calendar, for live events near you!
Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook.
You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Janna Hockenjos is a published author and a full time yoga teacher living in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and their Golden Retriever.
The summer Janna Leyde turned 14, her father was in a near fatal car accident that changed everything she knew. Upon earning her BA at Wittenberg University, Janna moved to New York City where she received her masters degree in magazine journalism at NYU and spent the her twenties in New York City, learning the in and outs of magazine writing and publishing. In 2011, she left the industry to become a yoga teacher and write her first book, He Never Liked Cake, a coming of age memoir that tells the story of growing up with her father’s traumatic brain injury. Three years later she moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to continue her writing and yoga career and publish her second book, Move Feel Think: Yoga for Brain Injury, PTSD, and Other Forms of Trauma.
Janna is the owner of Inhale Pittsburgh, a yoga studio located in downtown Pittsburgh. She also represents her community as a lululemon ambassador with a passion to bring the physical and mental benefits of yoga to the brain injury, PTSD, veteran, and trauma population on both local and national levels. When she is not on her mat, she works as a freelance writer, her works appearing in magazines such as Time Out New York and SELF and websites such as mindbodygreen.com, brainline.org, and NEXT Pittsburgh. She is an influential advocate for traumatic brain injury awareness and is frequently is a guest speaker at TBI conferences sharing her experiences.
Much like our mutual friend Gabby Bernstein, another amazing guest on Earn Your Happy, Janna started her career in NYC attending grad school at NYU for Magazine Journalism. Continuing your education and attempting to find a good job during the economic fall was difficult, which lead her to begin in advertising and party planning in the city that never sleeps.
Looking ahead to the future, Janna realized that although the top of the ladder in the magazine industry looked fun and glamorous, it just wasn't for her. A new life path was in need, which meant personal brainstorming and soul searching.
“I’m a word person, I like words. Words, repetition and lists help me plow through life. It was the words 'love over fear' that really had me choosing things based what I loved and the people that I loved, instead of things I was afraid of or doubtful that would come true.”
Janna was looking to serve the world. She wanted to take what set her soul on fire and share it with others, which brought her to writing her first book and practicing yoga.
“It’s about getting comfortable with what’s uncomfortable and thats what I like to work with.”
As Janna tells us, you just need to show up in life, for yourself. It doesn’t matter what it looks like, just get there.
"Everything is hard and unfamiliar the first time we do it."
Learn more about Janna and all the wonderful things she does for her community at jannahockenjos.com and follow her on Instagram/Twitter @jannacabana.
Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com
Thankfully for my like-minded tribe, I had the honor to meet Ruby through Gabrielle Bernstein, earlier this year in New York City. Ruby Fremon is a coach, catalyst, and ignitor. She helps people radically boost self love so they can take back their power and create lives that make them ridiculously happy. Ruby empowers her clients to shift into the belief that they can have it all without sacrificing a damn thing. What makes Ruby a truly dynamic coach, is her ability to blend together practicality with spirituality while delivering her message in a loving, no-bullshit format. This fusion helps her clients create massive life shifts that stick.
Let's cut straight to the point, just like Ruby’s happiness approach. Why beat around the bush, when the life you've always imagined is waiting on you?
Quit pressing the snooze button. It’s time to rise and shine!!
Ruby tells us how she took her life from self loathing, to nothing but self love. She hasn't always had the life we see now and she is more than willing to share her shift, in hopes it can shift you too.
From a past of addiction and relationship abuse, Ruby woke up one morning to finally place the pieces together. All of these terrible situations must have a common denominator…herself.
“We accept the love we think we deserve.” -Unknown
Women, men, children, listen in. Ruby and I are here today to preach these three simple words with massive meaning. YOU. ARE. WORTHY.
“It finally occurred to me that if I have the power to say yes, then I also have the power to say no. I also have the power to choose something different.”
I’m sure we can all confess staying in a situation one way or another because it was “comfort-able.” It may have been what your major was in college, or your job, your romantic relationship or even just a friendship. Either way we can all raise our guilty hand, we are human.
But no more ladies and gentlemen. Take out those rubber boots and find your way out of the BS muddy situation you may be in. There is no better time than now.
“Yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the pre-sent.” -Unknown
Looking to become ridiculously happy? Find Ruby at www.iamru.by. Still wanting a little more Ruby love? Follow her on SnapChat @iamrubyxo and @iamruby on Instagram. Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook. You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com