It's easy to get dissuaded in life, especially when everything around you seems to be falling apart. Going through a struggle in any form is inevitable. While it may test every ounce of patience you have and every bit of fight you got in you, there's always a purpose behind all hardships one faces. But not giving up even when things seem bleak and inspiring and giving people hope that things will get better is extraordinary. 

Mike Shoreman is a motivational speaker, author, speaks and writes on mental health and the power of mindset. Before he was affected, he was a professional paddleboarder, had a thriving business, and enjoyed life to the fullest. He was as happy as any person could be. It was all going well till he was diagnosed with a life-altering condition. Due to the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, he lost his sense of balance. He was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. After losing his sense of balance, he lost hope for a while. The doctors told him he wouldn't be able to do many things- he wouldn't be able to walk, stand, and most certainly, never be able to paddleboard.

PositiveVibes Magazine was lucky enough to be able to sit down, virtually, and talk to Chef Cynthia Louise. Chef Cynthia is a plant-based specialist who has starred in multiple cooking shows, released seven recipe books, and has released her own cookbook called Plant-Based Love Stories. She will also soon be releasing a second cookbook Celebrate Your Sweet Tooth Naturally: Plant Based Dessert Recipes. Check out the written piece!

PositiveVibes Magazine had the wonderful opportunity to connect with Calista. As a former scientist, holistic healer and student of her own teachings, Calista has a remarkable understanding of what it means to be human, as well as to be a soul living within a human body. From navigating through post-natal depression, Lyme disease, sexual trauma, and other conditions, she appreciates what it takes to heal and love ourselves, and what it takes to live in balance.

John Register is an overcomer who continues to make a global impact. He is a Gulf War Army Veteran, a 4-time track and field all American, and a two-time Olympic trials qualifier.

However, one misstep in life cost him his leg and ended both his Olympic dreams and military career.

Since his injury he won the long jump silver medal in Sydney, Australia, advised four U.S. Secretaries of State, and founded the United States Olympic Committee’s Paralympic Military Sports program which helped wounded, ill and injured service members use sports as a tool for their rehabilitation.

Thank you, John, for having the courage to be vulnerable to share your powerful story about fear, resiliency, identity, empowerment, and love.

Follow John on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Alexander McCaig is the Co-Founder and CEO of TARTLE, the world’s first personal data marketplace with a focus on the collective power of data through sharing backed by financial incentive. As CEO of a cutting edge Public Benefit Corporation, Alexander lead’s the data frontier by pioneering education around data and its use for society’s benefit. 

As a very active reader and meditation practitioner he blends the values of a life balanced by introspection and material perspective into his personal and professional endeavors to help create evolutive interactions with everyone he meets.  

To be a part of a bright and positive future, you can get started with sharing your data towards causes you care about at https://tartle.co

For six years Tom Blunt (genderqueer, he/they) has been Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab’s resident Marketing and Relationships Manager. In this role, they have built partnerships and collaborations with artists in fields as diverse as literature, film, fine art, comics, drag, pro-wrestling, and tabletop gaming. A resident of NYC for fourteen years before relocating to work for the Lab full time in L.A., Tom's professional background includes theater, nightlife, and writing. Their most recent work can found Here. Check out Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab's Website!

We were honored to have the opportunity to speak with AJ Sarcione. AJ is a Motivational Speaker, Musician and the King of Positivity. He is the inventor of The Shine Scale™, Shine Dice™, and the author of three popular books. AJ is known for his unique teaching methods, infectious energy and his encouragement for all to ignite their shine.  

Spend even thirty seconds with AJ, and his positivity is infectious! AJ’s approach to teaching, coaching, and motivating others should be celebrated-especially during this delicate time when positivity and shine is so important to keeping the world smiling!  

After interviewing AJ, we understand how he is the king of positivity. He is the medicine to negativity. Please check out AJ's website (getyourshine.com) to learn more about the resources he shares and what he is all about.

Karen Michelle is a Los Angeles business entrepreneur for over 30 years and has created a Lifestyle Brand housing fashion along with the well-known Destiny Candle, a 100% natural massage oil candle that turns into a luxurious body oil once warmed with surprise jewelry inside all made right here in the USA.  Karen Michelle is the founder and host of LYB Events (Love Your Body), which hosts women and girls of all ages, shapes, and backgrounds. LYB Events are a shopping, celebrity red carpet, and runway show extravaganza which celebrates empowerment and brings women and girls together in life and business.  To stay up to date on all the latest Karen Michelle news follow @karenmichelleLA @destinycandle @lybevents

This episode of the World of Positivists from the PositiveVibes Magazine is all about the world of Music Therapy and how it positively impacts our bodies, minds, and souls. 

Dr. Suzanne B. Hanser founded the Music Therapy Department at Berklee College of Music, where she currently serves as Chair Emerita and Professor. Dr. Hanser is currently president of the International Association for Music & Medicine, and past president of the World Federation for Music Therapy and the National Association for Music Therapy. Her books include: Integrative Health through Music Therapy: Accompanying the Journey from illness to Wellness, Manage Your Stress and Pain through Music (Book + CD with Susan Mandel), and the 3rd edition of The New Music Therapist’s Handbook.  

Dr. Hanser teaches a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in Music for Wellness on EdX and Coursera, and an online course for Berklee Online on Music Therapy Techniques for Wellness. She is a pianist and composer, and has created an online Musixploration, known as Michio’s Musings (www.michiosmusings.com). Her recordings include an album, A Contemplation Garden of Music, and with Daniel Kobialka, Labyrinth of Imaging Mirrors. Her chorale composition, You Are a Blessing, was performed by the Zachor Chorale Chamber Ensemble.  Suzanne was named by the Boston Globe as one of eleven Bostonians Changing the World, and was the recipient of a Sage Publications Prize, a Model of Healing Award from the Children’s Music Fund, and the American Music Therapy Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Find her blog on music strategies for wellbeing at www.suzannehanser.com.

We had the opportunity to speak with Mandy Coffee. Mandy is a digital entrepreneur and joyful full figured model based in Arizona. As a single mom to 3 young kids, she dedicates her social media platforms to spreading positivity in hopes of leaving the world that she raises her kids in a better place. This entire interview can be summed up in one quote: "Beauty is in the heart of the beholder" by H.G. Wells. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and it is important to internally commit to self-love.