“Never allow life’s challenges to stop you from reaching for the stars.” That is the mantra Vanessa Yakobson lives by. After battling and beating childhood cancer, Vanessa believes it gave her a new sense of drive and determination to chase all of her dreams. One of those dreams: Running her own business someday.

Andrea Isabelle Lucas was once a broke, single, teenage mom, a former stripper and a victim of domestic violence who relied on food stamps for groceries. Today she runs her own business that brings in millions of dollars a year. How’d she do it? She took ownership of her life.

As a former CEO, now turned entrepreneur, Luke Iorio knew he was burned out. He went in search of what matters, and in the process, found himself.

“Be authentic, get behind something you love and are passionate about.” That is the mantra Kristen Standish lives by. She is an accomplished leader in driving sales for a variety of media ventures over her entire career. But in 2021, she recreated herself with her next chapter, and started her own business. Her passion for female founders was the impetus behind the launch of RazHer collaborative.

Some of the most successful people in the world have a superpower. It’s not their expertise, nor their experience. In fact, it’s something that we can all create to live a meaningful life: deep connections and partnerships. For 15 years, Jean Oelwang had a ringside seat into how partnerships create success. She interviewed dozens of world leaders and influential people, Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Richard Branson, to name a few.

For my 100th episode, I’m inviting you to celebrate this milestone with me in a special way. Scott Harrison, founder and CEO of Charity: Water, is here to tell you that redemption is possible and together, we’re following his journey of second chances which now involves saving millions of people’s lives all around the world.

Jen Royle is a former Emmy award-winning sports reporter-turned-chef and restaurateur, a former contestant on ABC’s “The Taste” and Food Network’s “Beat Bobby Flay.” Today she is having tremendous success running what’s been called one of the best Italian restaurants in Boston’s North End. But as much as she loves cooking, her memories of her first dream job as a sports reporter have helped to ground her.

Mitzi Perdue is living one of the most fascinating lives. Besides being a hotel heiress, Mitzi has made a name for herself as a businesswoman, an award-winning author of 27 books, and a speaker. And in case her last name brings up any word association, her late husband, Frank Perdue, founded the Perdue Chicken company and her father co-founded the Sheraton Hotel chain.

Do you know what your purpose is? Have you thought much about it? Patrice Tanaka has and she is on a mission to help people discover their own purpose to live a more joyful life. The unexpected, personal and professional journey she has taken her from the depths of depression, to living a life of joy and how she got there might surprise you.

An award-winning journalist and best-selling author who went back to college in her 60s to become a psychotherapist, Ann Dowsett Johnston is writing her next chapter with authenticity and raw honesty. But that’s only a piece of her story. She also outed herself to the world as a recovering alcoholic after years of feeling like a failure despite outward success.

Andrea Owen says that after hitting rock bottom, she believed that life was tapping her on the shoulder and asking something more of her. And she went in search of that “more”. Today, she’s a certified life coach, best-selling author, podcast host and speaker.

What do a reconstructive cosmetic surgeon and an earthquake construction specialist have in common? Besides being best friends and in their 60s, they are on a mission to inspire and help men over the age of 50 with everything from marriage, and divorce to health, exercise, and yes, even sex.

Angela Hofmann is all about living her best life and helping others do the same through healthy eating. She believes making a commitment to your health doesn’t mean skipping dessert. This former architect turned entrepreneur has created a plant-based food company called “Nüssli 118”.

Shira Miller says her superpower is helping people get unstuck. She has transitioned from financial ruin to prosperity, from obesity to being well, finding love, and living a purpose-driven life.

Perhaps the most widely known as the most decorated monoskier in US history, Chris Waddell went on to become the fastest in the world. If that’s not enough, as a paraplegic, he handcycled in a wheelchair all the way up to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

When I first tasted Velo Vodka, I was hooked. And when I discovered the founder and CEO of this new brand on the market was a woman and a serial entrepreneur, I had to learn how she has created so many successful businesses.

Just because you’ve never done something doesn’t mean you can’t, you just have to try. My guest is living by this very same philosophy as an investor in everything from real estate to gold, silver cryptocurrency to even Legos. He has his own company, and is now a published author of two books. But here’s the kicker: He’s only 15 years old and not afraid to learn and grow, and teach people what he already knows.

Amy Wong says, “Life is a lot like math. It’s a simple idea. But it gets complicated.” It gets complicated, she says, because we live in fear and false perceptions about ourselves. As a former mathematician, and now a transformational coach, Amy Wong has made it her mission to help people thrive by understanding that “choice” is our superpower to living a life on purpose.

From illiteracy to gang activity, my guest’s childhood prepared him for nothing less than a life of crime and violence. Sentenced to more than 100 years in prison, his journey from the prison yard to Harvard Yard, and a life-changing epiphany, is why he has spent every day of his freedom using his voice as an ambassador of hope.

Mark Victor Hansen and his wife, Crystal Hansen, are internationally acclaimed motivational speakers, entrepreneurs and authors. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Their work hinges on the difference between having just a little bit of success versus being hugely successful, work they say comes down to asking the right questions.