Abraham Lincoln
Mary Oliver
Tunga
The Dalai Lama
Fred Rogers
Stephen King
Derek Sivers
Ben Franklin
Gandalf
Jonathan
Barack Obama
Mahatma Gandhi
Michael
John Lennon
Brian
Randy Pausch
Evan Shoemaker
Malala Yousafzai
Claire
Mother Teresa
Willow
Kate
Eleanor Roosevelt
Kelsa
Albert Einstein
Mende Amartaivan
Amelia Earhart
Chase Adam
Nelson Mandela
Amy
Ellen DeGeneres
Amanda
Robin Williams
Emma Watson
Sarah
Wee
Brené Brown
Kevin
Princess Diana
Bonnie Nelson
John F. Kennedy
Steve Jobs
Rosa Parks
Elon Musk
Leslie
J.K. Rowling
Luke
Oprah Winfrey
Bari
Martin Luther King Jr.
Maya Angelou
Walt Disney
Michelle Obama
Megan
Dumbledore
Mozart Guerrier
Harriet Tubman
Becca
Calvin & Hobbes
Chris
Jenny Blake
Matt
Pieter
Seth
Shavon
Tristan
Will
I often reflect on inspiring people who I admire. These people aren’t perfect, they have their flaws, but there’s something about each of them that inspires me to be better. I hope they can be helpful to you too. If you click on their photos above it might take you somewhere surprising: some I’ve interviewed or written books about, some I’ve admired from afar, and some are fictional characters who I find in books I love. Wherever they may be, maybe they can inspire you the way they have me.
Their stories
“The only way I was going to start a non-profit is if we built a non-profit that I personally would feel comfortable giving to.”
Chase Adam
Peace Corps Volunteer, founder of Watsi
Read →“I measure my success by how happy I am, not how big the business is or how much money I’ve made.”
Gary Vaynerchuk
Author of Crush It!
Read →“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Mary Oliver
Poet of attention and amazement
Read →“…the bedrock of our very being is good stuff.”
Mister Rogers
Television neighbor to generations of kids
Read →“Find the best in everybody.”
Randy Pausch
Professor, dad, and giver of the Last Lecture
Read →“Well done is better than well said.”
Ben Franklin
Printer, scientist, statesman, humorist
Read →“I would love to support you and your work.”
Brian Johnson
Philosopher and founder of PhilosophersNotes
Read →More inspirations are on their way
New profiles join this shelf as they’re ready. In the meantime, their words live all over the site:
366 meditations on gratitude, kindness, and the people who inspire us — one true story or quote for every day of the year, from Hatherleigh Press.
Read a sample & get notified →Follow along
One essay a week, every Saturday morning.