Arianna Merritt, MEd | Health Educator & Digital Creator

Rise & Shine Interview: Mara Glatzel about Writing

Mara Glatzel is a self-love coach and author of the Body Loving Homework e-course. She works with women who are ready to create the lives they want — and deserve. Her blog — Medicinal Marzipan — has inspired thousands of women to heal their relationships with their bodies, and treat themselves with relentless compassion. Catch up with her on facebook, twitter, or join herbody-loving mailing list for secret swapping and insider news. Mara inspires me with her words and I had to ask her to be part of this series. If you haven’t checked out her work – here is your introduction to her Thanks, Mara, for encouraging everyone to love themselves and for taking part in this interview. You rock!

Rise & Shine Interview: Kevin Breel

“I suffer from depression” are not the four words that you would have expected to come out of a teenager's mouth on a global stage. Yet, some are breaking the stigma and talking about mental health issues by expressing themselves. The teenager who spoke up on the TEDXKids@Ambleside stage in May 2013 is Kevin Breel. Kevin is a teenager, a stand-up comic, a writer, and an activist for mental health from Victoria, British Columbia. We both have ties to this beautiful city.

Rise & Shine Interview: Kristin Lajeunesse of Will Travel For Vegan Food

I'm excited that today, Kristin Lajeunesse, is “Speaking From the Heart” and sharing her experiences with all of us.

Kristin Lajeunesse has been travelling around the U.S. since September 2011 in an effort to eat at, and write about, every single vegan establishment she can find. Kristin is also a lifestyle and business coach, specializing in helping others discover how to earn a livingdoing exactly what they love. Follow her foodie travels and businessadventures on Will Travel For Vegan Food. I was introduced to Kristin through Jacqueline Boone, who suggested we interview Kristin for our web show (check out the video here). I am really inspired by Kristin's vision and passion, so I asked her to be part of this series.

Rise & Shine Interview: Gabriello Pitman

Ever wondered how writing can inspire the journey of a professional performer? I'm excited that today my friend, Gabriello Pitman, is “Speaking From the Heart” and sharing his experiences with all of us.

Gabriello is a performer, an entrepreneur, and a professional coach based in Toronto, Canada. I met Gabriello before he became an entrepreneur and was pursuing his PhD in Physics at the University of Toronto. We met and became friends as we were both residents of Wycliffe College's graduate residence. You can check out the story in his own words on how he discovered his calling here. Gab used to come in the television room at the residence and perform card tricks for us. I had to ask Gabriello to be involved in this series as he continually inspires and encourages me on my journey. Plus, he is a fun guy to be around, and has quite the range of facial expressions (as do I :)).

Rise & Shine Interview: Anne-Sophie Reinhardt about Writing

Ever wondered how writing helps in eating disorder recovery? I'm excited that today, Anne-Sophie Reinhardt, is “Speaking From the Heart” and sharing her experiences with all of us.

Anne-Sophie Reinhardt is an anorexia survivor, body image expert, author, and blogger at Anne-Sophie. She empowers you to achieve a healthier and more successful life by returning to your true purpose and values. Anne-Sophie has really inspired me on my journey. I connected with her last year and we've been friends ever since. I look forward to meeting her in person one day soon. She has appeared on the blog before as a Profile of Perseverance and did a guest post on how to become a better blogger. I was on her podcast "Your Life, Your Success" earlier this year too. Regardless of the medium used, Anne-Sophie speaks from her heart and empowers others on their journey! Blessed that we encourage each other.

Rise & Shine Interview: Heather Grace Stewart about Writing

Ever wondered where a professional poet finds inspiration to write? I'm excited that today, Heather Grace Stewart, is “Speaking From the Heart” and sharing her experiences with all of us.

Heather Grace Stewart is a Canadian Poet and the Author of /Three Spaces, Carry On Dancing, Leap, Where the Butterflies Go, The Groovy Granny, & The Friends I've Never Met. Visit her website heathergracestewart.me and her blog heathergracestewart.com. I had to ask Heather to be involved as she continually inspires and encourages me on my writing journey. Heather and I both grew up in the same city, and connected through blogging. I consider her a "Friend I've Never Met" as we both live on opposing sides of Canada. I can't wait to meet Heather in person!

Rise & Shine Interview: Vanessa Grillone

I'm excited to start the series by featuring the amazing Vanessa Grillone. I discovered Vanessa's blog, My Pen, My Voice, this past January on the Canadian Weblog Awards site where both our blogs were nominated. I had to connect with her as we share similar interests, live/lived in Toronto, and both have self-published books. Vanessa is a writer, blogger, and book-lover looking to find her place in the publishing world. She contributes to ChicDarling.com and Workstory.net; she also writes for her own lifestyle blog on VanessaGrillone.com . Vanessa can’t stop writing and can be annoyingly optimistic, but she doesn’t care—she loves life.

Rise & Shine Interview: Elan Morgan (aka Schmutzie)

I’m so excited that today a role model of mine and fellow Canadian blogger, Elan Morgan (aka Schmutzie), is sharing her thoughts on perseverance with us. As I have said before in a previous post, "tome, my role models are individuals who have the courage to be real, to be vulnerable, to be themselves, and to share their journeys." Elan does this through speaking from her heart. I was first introduced to Elan electronically when I was a juror for the Canadian Weblog Awards. After hearing her Ted Talk, I had to ask her to be part of the "Profiles of Perseverance" series as Elan encouraged me to be more open and to dig deep by sharing my personal narrative online. I'm so thankful for Elan's advice; she truly inspires me. Thanks, Elan, for your presence on my blogging journey!

Rise & Shine Interview: Jac McNeil

Jac McNeil is a certified professional coach and a self-leadership expert for women solopreneurs. She completed her training and earned her credentials through The Coaches Training Institute (CTI) and International Coach Federation (PCC). Her work helps women unearth their own powerful business truths so they can do more of the work they love and feel called to do. Through the lens of self-leadership, she helps women bring their unique strengths, gifts and powerful potential more fully to their work and create thriving, integrity-based businesses. She created the transformational business-building program In Your Element and the digital program Your Personal Business Retreat Kit (to be released in April 2013). She lives in Fall River, Nova Scotia, with her husband Matt, little girls Sophie and Emilie, and their Bernese Mountain Dog Guinness.

Rise & Shine Interview: Michelle Marie McGrath

Michelle Marie McGrath is the creator of Sacred Self’s Self-love range of Alchemical oils and cards. She’s the co-author of “Love and Oneness” in the bestselling Adventures In Manifesting series. She’s also the creator of "100% self-love ecourse” and author of "7 ways to love yourself" ebook. Michelle is passionate about falling in love with ALL parts of herself, and encouraging others to do the same.

From the UK, Michelle lives in Sydney, where she explores her favourite self-love activities: meditating in a candlelit bath; daydreaming; massage; chai tea and raw chocolate. Her idea of bliss is a day full of the above!

Rise & Shine Interview: Cameron Von St. James

Therefore, today I'm happy to feature Cameron Von St. James and his FAMILY as part of my Profiles of Perseverance series. To this family every day is family day, as they know how valuable it is to be together. Cameron initially reached out to me and wanted to share his family's story, which he called "Living with Cancer." After I read it, I had to ask Cameron to also share his pieces of advice about overcoming obstacles. His writing moved me to tears, as many in my life have been affected by this disease. As you will see below, the Von St. James family is beautiful and perseverant. Hearing their story shows how important social support is in overcoming obstacles. Thank you, Cameron, Heather, and Lily, for reminding others what is important in life!

Rise & Shine Interview: Erin O'Brien

As I have said before, one of my favourite things about blogging is connecting with others. Erin and I connected randomly on Twitter. Erin O’Brien lives in Sydney, Australia and is Chief Encouragement Officer at Activate28. She helps women who procrastinate and feel overwhelmed, and who want more *flow* and ease in their workday. I'm so glad I met her. Soon after she emailed me the following virtue card along with the message:

"When you mentioned that perseverance is a core theme for your life, I decided to attach the virtue card of perseverance. The third sentence reminds me of your website … and I imagine other sentences would resonate with you on the journey you’ve been on. "

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