Extraordinary Profiles

It is an understatement to say that Barbara Niven is a busy lady. Not only is she an actress and mother, she is a media trainer, motivational speaker, video marketing expert, and the author of several books, among many other things.

She is currently starring in Hallmark’s Murder, She Baked and recently shot a pilot for . Niven has also served on the National Board of Directors for the One of Niven’s favorite quotes is from Chuck Yeager in Screen Actors Guild and has appeared in over 100 which he says, “The cockpit gets the shakiest just before television and film roles, as well as over 2,500 radio and you break the sound barrier.” television commercials. She says if you’re going through something difficult, just She has appeared on NCIS, Cold Case, , The know your breakthrough is going to be right there, and Bold and The Beautiful, and , but her most that’s the point where you can’t give up, just five minutes memorable role was playing Marilyn Monroe in The Rat before the miracle, because it will happen. Pack. Niven has always loved watching Monroe in the movies, appreciating her vulnerability, but she always The busy actress and entrepreneur graciously took time wished she could have met her, and perhaps helped her a from her busy schedule to have a candid interview with little, too. Monica Davis, the Founder of Exceptional People Magazine. One of her most impactful speaking topics is Eating Disorders and Pressures to Be Perfect, where she shares Monica: You’ve had some excellent acting opportunities. her battle with bulimia. With a shiny white toilet on stage, How have the roles you’ve played helped you transform she shares her story to help others beat eating disorders. your life, and your perspective on life? She is also profiled in the book, Feeding the Fame: Celebrities with Eating Disorders. Barbara: What’s interesting is that in my business after you reach the age of 40, if you’re an actress, you usually Niven also has a video production studio in Los Angeles don’t get much work. Somehow I’m out-creating that. that provides one-on-one coaching, custom video Thank goodness for Hallmark, because I just got my third production services and video boot camps. A media trainer series with them, plus I just shot a Christmas movie. Age and video marketing expert, she created the home study is helping me rather than hurting, because I can now play course, Unleash Your Star Power, to help people enhance so many different characters and not just the leading lady. their professional images. Her clients include CEOs, entrepreneurs, authors and speakers. I say Hallmark is like the old Hollywood studio system. They use actors over and over. I love being aligned with Niven is the author of 111 Star Power Tips: Insider them, because they put out programming with good, Secrets From a Hollywood Pro, Get Your Woman On, and positive energy. It’s a perfect fit for me. You see real How Did You Do That. She is also a celebrity speaker on family values, which is something you don’t see as much many business and motivational topics, including Be a on TV any more. I am tired of seeing zombies, people Video Marketing Superstar, and ACT As If It’s Already being violent, and blood and gore. It shocks my system Happening Until It Is. and doesn’t draw me in to the characters.

She created the Dreamers Network on Facebook, with Hallmark is different. I shot three seasons on Cedar Cove over 14,000 followers, a positive place where people share with Andie McDowell and and a group inspiration, dreams and goals. Niven calls it, “paying of wonderful actors who felt like family. I also play Alison kindness forward.” Sweeney’s meddling mother “Delores” in the “Murder She Baked” series on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. Ali and I found we have amazing comedy chemistry, and it’s one of my fave roles ever. I also just filmed a pilot called

November-December 2015 | Exceptional People Magazine | 5 Extraordinary Profiles

It’s really important. I call this time of my life – I’m 62 now – my legacy time. This is because with everything I do; I want to leave a footprint and a message behind. So it’s important for me to inspire other people, and not only to get their message out, but to out-create whatever circumstances they are living in, so they too, can live their dreams. If I can make this crazy acting dream happen, and “Chesapeake Shores” for , starring out-create all the conditions that were against me, then opposite Treat Williams, and Jesse Metcalfe. truly everything is possible for anybody else. We don’t know if it’s picked up yet, but we are crossing our fingers. Monica: Speaking of some of those conditions that were against you, would you say some of them were specifically Monica: Is there a method you use to select from the roles directed towards you or women in general when it comes you get offered? What do you look for? to acting?

Barbara: I look for great characters, because I love to act Barbara: I can only go with my own story, because most so much. Sometimes, especially for women, you get people start acting at an early age. I didn’t have a wake-up scripts where you’re just the addendum on some guy’s call until late. I was 28, and my 10-year high school arm. But with Lifetime movies, and I’ve also found it to reunion was coming up. They sent out this application to be true with Hallmark, it’s more about women’s stories. fill in the information for everybody at the reunion, with So, if Hallmark offers me something, I always say yes. questions like “who did you marry, how many kids do you Hallmark is a great platform to reach more people with a have and where do you live?” positive message.

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The last question on mine was a little different, because it said, “Have you achieved all you thought you would in your life by now?” That hit me like a ton of bricks. What a wakeup call. I had all these things I planned to do someday. But someday hadn’t happened yet and ten years had already passed by! See, I knew I was going to be an actress from the time I was five years old. I still get goosebumps thinking about that first song I sang it. But they could start exploring their local community in front of an audience in kindergarten. I remember it theater or get into an acting class and be around others clearly, even to what I was wearing and the teddy bear I with the same passion. When they learn the craft, who was holding. How weird is that? I still get goosebumps knows where it could lead? It has to begin with loving the today thinking about it. Clearly, acting was my calling! craft enough to pour one’s heart and soul into it for the long haul. If you’re lucky enough to make money at it, it’s gravy. “Image is everything, and the internet Monica: How do you use your craft as an actress to make a difference in the lives of others, and to get people is the great equalizer.” thinking about how they can live better lives?

Barbara: The answer is two-fold. One, I am a Motivational Speaker and try to pass on lessons from my But at that point, approaching my 10-year reunion, I was life that hopefully can make a difference to others. living everybody else’s dream but my own. I was married. I had a child. I was doing a business with my husband. Secondly, I started a media training business called Life was okay. But I hadn’t leaped into my acting dream Unleash Your Star Power. I’m now considered yet. That wake-up call made me kick it into gear. I Hollywood’s Top Media Trainer and Video Coach, and I declared to myself that, yes, I am going to be an actor, and have a studio in Los Angeles. My father inspired me to do I started putting my dream into action. it before he passed away. He always used to tell me, “Barb, I love your career. I have all your movies, but what Monica: So, you took charge at some point. are you going to do to fall back on, and why are you really here?” Thanks Dad for that wakeup call. Barbara: I took charge, and that’s what other people need to do too. The saddest thing I can imagine is to get to the It dawned on me that all the things I was learning as an end of one’s life and wonder “what if”. actress on how to handles nerves, get my message out and connect to an audience were all the things people in If there’s something you’re going to regret not doing business need to do too. These skills are not only meant for someday, you’d better start now. Just take one action public speaking, but also for use in video marketing and every day toward your goal and see what happens. As you branding. do, your dream may change along the way. You may find out it’s not exactly what you thought it would be like. Image is everything, and the internet is the great equalizer. Then you simply course correct. But at least you’re A small business person, if they have a great media moving toward something! strategy – and I know you believe this, because I know that you teach this, too – can compete with the big dogs. But a The thing to do is follow your goosebumps, find out what poor performance or a poor quality video will hurt you. gets you going, what gets you excited, and figure out a That’s because once you get a bad video out there on the way to incorporate it into your life. It’s not about the internet search engines pick it up and you lose control of it. money; it’s about loving what you do. In fact I usually You can never take it back. Ten years from now when don’t advise people who like acting to take the leap to people Google your name, it will probably still come up. make it their career because it’s a tough to make a living at So it’s important and easy to learn the right way to do it

November-December 2015 | Exceptional People Magazine | 7 Extraordinary Profiles

Barbara: Absolutely. I think that’s something we all need to do. I consciously do it every year as I hit the New Year’s Eve holiday. I use it as a barometer to check in and see whether or not I’m on track with my life, and where I need to course- correct just a little bit, or a lot, in some instances. I call it redefining, repurposing, and rebooting. from the beginning. I’ve honed a technique I call Unleash Monica: You reinvent yourself. Your Star Power. It’s a way that people can hone not only their message and image, but learn how to connect to Barbara: Yes! You need to reinvent yourself and your people in an authentic, heart-to-heart way. personal brand at many junctures in life. I reinvented myself when I first started acting. Then when I was My aha moment in this? I have learned that as much as I worried about being an aging actress, I asked myself, love acting, my real purpose is to help others get their “What can I do now?” The answer was that I could do message out. As I coach and direct people in videos and motivational speaking on the lessons I have personally public speaking, I pass on communication tools I’ve learned. I wanted to share and make a difference. learned as an actress so they can find their voice, step into their power, and make their own difference in the world. Then I thought, “I also can help people shoot videos. I can coach them on what to say and how to say it, plus shoot Public speaking is the #1 fear in America they say. But the actual videos and edit them.” I launched into it full here’s what I’ve discovered. The people who are the most force. I rented a very small room to use as a studio in fearful of public speaking or talking to a camera almost North Hollywood. I didn’t know what I was doing at all. always turn out to be very gifted at it. I think it’s because they have a powerful message inside they want to get out, In fact, while my first CEO client was flying in, I had a but they’re plugged up and don’t know where to start. friend help me set the lights up, show me which buttons to Once I coach them and show them some easy tips (usually push on the camera, and all of that. When my client got to in a matter of minutes), they are off to the races and you the studio, he didn’t know any of this! I coached him on literally can’t shut them up. It’s so gratifying to watch the camera and he came so far in that one session. He transformation. conquered his nerves and got very clear on his message. Before he left, he said it was a major breakthrough for Monica: I’ve found that to be true. Over time, people him. It certainly was a major breakthrough for me. redefine their life purpose. Have you ever found yourself redefining your life’s purpose? I have always taken a leap of faith and figured it would work itself out, which it usually does. I call it “Act as if.” Act as if it’s already happening, until it is. I can’t recommend that philosophy highly enough.

Many years later, I now have a beautiful studio in Los Angeles, and I speak and coach on the business circuit on how to “Unleash Your Video Marketing Star Power!” During my presentations I have audience volunteers come onstage so I can coach them on the spot. Literally in a few minutes they transform and get a standing ovation! It is so gratifying to watch someone who is crying in fear quickly become empowered.

I also teach two-day Video Boot Camps. To prepare, I send them my home study course and coach them by phone. At Boot Camp, the first day is all about honing

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their message and performance skills as I coach and direct them on camera. On the second day, I shoot their videos. I have an amazing hair and make-up person who’s won Emmys that makes them camera ready. She has been my personal make-up artist for years, ever since I was on The Bold and Beautiful. I also had a celebrity photographer show me how to set the lights in my studio, so clients not only give amazing performances, but they look and feel like Stars. I’m so proud of what they accomplish in just two days.

Monica: It’s like you’re taking from your experience as an actress and creating this whole new focus in life. There is no rule that says you have to do the same thing for the next 50, 60 or 70 years. There are many other life experiences you can take and move into other areas, and then create a whole new career for yourself.

Barbara: I totally agree. I think all of us have lessons we’ve learned in our lives that can benefit somebody else.

Monica: What are some of the most critical lessons you’ve learned as an actress that may help other women down, we started helping people feel good about develop better, whether it’s acting or something else, and themselves? We could, in turn, feel good about each other, help them make better choices in their careers and make and pass that mindset on to our kids and our daughters. them stronger? That is the reason I speak about eating disorders and why Barbara: That’s such a good question. I think my biggest I’m vocal on Twitter, and why I do motivational speaking. lesson is to give up seeking perfection, and be a little I want it to stop with us. Let’s stop focusing on what kinder and gentler to myself. I had an eating disorder from doesn’t mean anything, and start focusing on what we can the time I was 15 years old until age 45. It was my big do to make a difference together. black secret that nobody knew. Not even my husband knew. Monica: When you were going through all that, at the time you had the eating disorder, what was the turning The eating disorder, for me, was all about trying to be point for you? What gave you the courage to realize you perfect…trying to get to zero to let all the pressure out, shouldn’t allow others to define who you are and how you because I was always the good girl, always trying to be should look? nice to everybody, while being really hard on myself. I chose a hard career to be in with an eating disorder too! In Barbara: Mine was a real wake-up call. I remember it Hollywood, the camera adds 10 pounds, so you’re never exactly. Eating disorders can be genetic, but they can also happy with the way you look. But it’s true not just for be a learned behavior, because we can teach each other in people in Hollywood. The media puts out an image that all a family to worry too much about the wrong things. of us as women feel we can’t live up to. Even the size zero people don’t feel like they’re skinny enough or perfect My mother had an eating disorder when she was young. I enough, either. remember specifically at 15 when I heard her talk about it to a group of her friends. She revealed that when she was All of us - women especially - have something we struggle 18, she was hospitalized because she couldn’t keep food with, and it makes us more alike than we are different. down. She had been throwing it up. Nobody knew the How great would it be if, instead of putting each other word “bulimia” back then. Karen Carpenter hadn’t even

November-December 2015 | Exceptional People Magazine | 9 Extraordinary Profiles

I tried my best to keep that from manifesting in my daughter. I applauded everything she did. I tried so hard to hide it from her. But again, is it a learned behavior or is it something that was in her genes? She ended up with an eating disorder too. The turning point in my life, my wake-up call, was the day I got a call from her school to tell me she had fainted during cheerleading practice, because it turns out all the happened yet, where she died of anorexia. I had never kids on her squad were doing anorexia and bulimia even heard of that concept before! together to fit into their cheerleading uniforms. That’s how it is now. It’s not such a secret anymore. Many people at Everybody else in the group was so grossed out at the idea college campuses do the same thing together. of her vomiting up her food. But for me, because I had a propensity towards it, it clicked in my head and I thought, Getting that phone call was when I knew I had to get help. “Ah hah – that could be my secret weapon.” So, I left the It was not only to save myself, but to save my daughter, group, sneaked out, went into the back bathroom and too. I frankly don’t know if I would have done it just to threw up. That was the first time. After that I spent over 30 save myself. years with my head hanging over a toilet, trying to be perfect, and nobody ever knew. She gave me purpose. Like mother - like daughter, like mother – like daughter. I wanted it to stop with me. I remember looking through the Yellow Pages for the 800 number of an eating disorder hotline. It took me two days to make that phone call, because I kept hanging up. Finally I got the first words out and that’s all it took. They took over from there. It was like this huge, secret horrible bubble finally burst. The relief was unbelievable, because I knew I didn’t have to struggle alone any more.

I got us both into counseling. It took six months for her and three years for me to gain control back. One of the things I learned was that you can’t get over an eating disorder without going to a trained therapist. It’s one of the diseases that you can’t get over by yourself, because you always have to have food around. Alcoholics can say not to alcohol. But you have to eat food, so it’s an issue you face daily.

An eating disorder therapist will help you discover why you had this behavior, and then learn ways to deal with it. To tell the truth, I never in a million years thought that I would be able to say I am recovered. But I am living proof that it IS possible to recover from an eating disorder. People need to know that, because when you’re in that black hole, you can’t imagine life without it controlling you.

Monica: Obviously there are lots of women who are not swayed by what they see, whether it’s in magazines, in videos, or on television, showing society’s definition of what perfection is. What do you think might be the reason

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why some women don’t seem to be affected by that, while others are?

Barbara: I think we all have different standards of perfection or obsessions. Maybe somebody is not ruled by their “outside” physical aspects, like what they look like or how they dress, but everybody has something. Maybe they’re putting all their energy into being a workaholic. Maybe they abuse credit cards, or pills, or are afraid to stand up to a bully. Or maybe they ARE the bully. My hope is to help change that, to make women realize that we are all basically the same and should support and honor each other.

Another pet peeve of mine is that we women hold each other back by being afraid to say our ages. I’m vocal about declaring my age so others can too! It’s empowering! We women are also way too afraid to appear without make-up, lest we be judged. Make up is a tool of the trade. We can all gussy up. There is a time and place for that. But we also need to be proud of our true selves and say, “This is the real me. And I love myself both ways.” That’s why I’m careful and try to balance both. In my real life I rarely wear makeup. I can’t be bothered, unless I have a work function, so people better like the real me. I sometimes their bodies, faces, souls and wisdom, and it’s all caught post on Twitter with no make-up too. It’s liberating. The on camera. I hope I can act until the very end too. bottom line is, what’s important? What do you want to teach your kids to focus on? You are their greatest role A beautiful thing about being an actor is that our bodies model. and our life lessons are what we use as instruments to create art. Those are the tools of our trade. It’s like a Monica: As an actress, who has had the greatest impact beautiful orchestra that needs practice and tuning when we on your life, and why? first start out, but as we age the sound gets richer and more vibrant. Barbara: I studied with the incredible acting coach Milton Katselas. I was in his Master Class for 12 years, I still get such a rush from acting. I thank God every day and he taught me not only about acting, but about myself. for my life, that I get to do what I love and make a living at He taught me to make bold choices and not just go with it, and also make a difference with it. the flow or with what I thought “they” wanted to see. It has made all the difference. Monica: Regardless of your job or what you consider to be your life’s purpose, in everything you do you should try As for roles that impacted me, one of my favorites is that I to have an impact on others, as well. got to play Marilyn Monroe in The Rat Pack. That was astonishing for me, because I’d always loved her in the Barbara: Absolutely. Why are we here? I hope people movies. I loved her vulnerability. I feel like I know her – don’t wait until the end of their lives to start thinking about maybe partly because I played her - but I wish I could that and figuring it out. have actually known her and maybe helped her in her life. Some of my favorite actresses are the older ones like As I said before, it’s about course correction. The clocking Katherine Hepburn and Jessica Tandy. You can watch in of the New Year is a great time to do it, to take stock of their lives unfold and play out throughout their movie what happened last year, and start thinking about your careers. Age and experience manifest in different ways in dreams and goals for the coming year. Ask yourself, “Am I

November-December 2015 | Exceptional People Magazine | 11 Extraordinary Profiles

that I absolutely love, and it has a back yard where I can entertain. I love having people over for a BBQ and to sit around the fire pit. It also has another little area in the back where I created a living Memory Garden. It’s almost like a little Alice in Wonderland place around a huge old grapefruit tree. I hung wind chimes, solar lanterns and angel catchers in the tree, and it is so beautiful. It’s almost like the tree is on track, or do I need to try something a little different?” singing. In the garden I have memorial stones for my mom As my acting coach, Milton Katselas, used to say, “Hey, and dad, and one for my dear cat that passed away after I you already love apple pie. Why don’t you try a bite of moved here. I wanted to celebrate life instead of loss, and I cherry? You might like that too, and maybe it will change honestly feel them around me. I also added a little table everything.” and chairs and a park bench where I can sit and meditate. I make myself get up from my computer and go out there a Monica: Acting takes a lot of time, effort and preparation, couple times a day, just to recharge and get grounded as do all those things you do in addition to acting. How do again. you incorporate balance into your life? Another reason I bought this house was that it is five Barbara: That is actually on my vision board – to minutes from my daughter. It’s fantastic, because the best incorporate more balance, and I am doing that. I do wish thing in my life is being Mimi to my two grandchildren. It there were more hours in the day though! I bought a house just doesn’t get any better.

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Monica: One of your speaking topics is Eating Disorders and Pressures to Be Perfect. Can you talk about that a little bit?

Barbara: I speaking about it at schools, women’s groups and sometimes even corporations. This is because HR groups know what to look for in people who abuse alcohol, drugs, credit cards and other things, but eating disorders are something people don’t know that much Monica: It truly sounds like you enjoy your work, and not about, or even how to deal with them in a workplace. only just the acting, but everything else that you do. I love When I speak, and you know this from being a speaker seeing people change their lives, and being able to provide and a media trainer too Monica, you still have to be them with information and resources to help them through entertaining as you get your message out. the process.

I teach my clients that you have to create a dynamic Open to hook the audience, then create a dynamic Close to “Every moment is another chance to go bookend the ending. So my Open for this particular speech is that I have a white toilet sitting on stage before I come towards your dream or away from it.” out. Before I ever speak, people are already snickering at it and going, “Oh, this is going to be a little funny, and probably a little gross.” Barbara: Absolutely. People need to realize they can design their lives, and then at any age, they can redesign it. Why? Again, I’m just passing on tips and tricks of the Most people think, “I’ve got to take this step in college, trade. As an actress, we are trained to touch “nerves” get a degree, and my life is going to be linear.” But I say, within ourselves to unleash emotions we can use in our “Don’t settle for less than wonderful!” Follow your work. That damn while toilet still affects me after all these passion and create goals and find out what you can years, so I use it to create a better speaking performance. achieve! Don’t just accept whatever happens, or go in It’s what I teach my clients. This technique is called “The whatever direction the wind blows. Ask yourself, “Is this Moment Before.” It’s an old Stanislavski acting term. It working for me, or do I need to try that cherry pie for a means that the moment before you speak is the most change?” Not being afraid to take a chance is important, important of all! You have to get so filled up with energy because what’s the worst thing that can happen? You’ve that you can’t wait to say your first words. So when I already failed if you haven’t tried. come out onstage and see the toilet, I let myself “go there” and remember, and my speech starts flowing with all that Monica: That’s true, and you can apply those lessons you pent up energy. I am there, and the kids feel it, the learn from those failures, adversities or challenges you audience feels it, and they go on the journey with me. encounter as you’re trying to achieve something specific to your life in other areas. You can do it too. Find your own dynamic Open and Moment Before, and use this technique every time you Barbara: Absolutely, and you can use your lessons to help speak. Choose an appropriate emotion and Moment Before somebody else, too. That’s the final thing I hope people that ensures you get the desired results. Your audience will take from this. All the lessons you learn are valuable and not be moved by what you say unless they feel YOU are you can share them to enrich somebody else’s life and moved by what you are saying. It can be gross, it can be make a difference that way, too. funny, it can be motivational, it can be heart wrenching, it can be inspirational. Use whatever is appropriate for the Monica: That’s truly what I love about what I do through result you want to achieve with that audience, and work Exceptional People magazine. By allowing others to share backwards to first move yourself. Find your passion and their life experiences and lessons learned, other people can use it to get your message out most effectively. Your goal draw from them. They are able to realize that just because is that when your audience walks back out the door, what you are where you are, and it may not necessarily be a you just gave them has, hopefully, changed their lives. good place, it doesn’t mean you have to remain there.

November-December 2015 | Exceptional People Magazine | 13 Extraordinary Profiles

courage to say, “I can do this, too.”

Negativity causes people to give up on their dreams. If you’re living with negative people who see you take a chance and start to rise up and achieve success, they mostly likely will try to bring you back down to their level. Because if you make it, it makes them feel bad about themselves because Barbara: I think Dreamers need to stick together, because they didn’t – probably because they didn’t even try. That’s the world can be a negative place. That’s why I created the why we Dreamers need to support each other. I can’t tell Dreamers Network on my Facebook page. It has over you how important that is! 14,000 people on it now. I originally created it in 1998 as a message board, a support group for dreamers, a positive Sue Melke is my business partner, and she shares my place where people can come and share inspiration their dream of creating change and making a difference. She is personal dreams, goals and progress. an expert at branding and marketing among other things. Together we’ve created something for the Dreamers Monica: How does the Dreamers Network impact people? Network at www.facebook.com/barbaraniven that we’re calling Star Power Affirmations. They are beautiful Barbara: Social media is a great tool to pay kindness designs that incorporate new images for my branding with forward and create change. I get emails and messages on quotes that move you toward your possibilities and help Twitter and Facebook every single day from people who you to embrace your Star Power. Here are a few of my are inspired. They hear stories of success, stories of the favorites… journey from somebody else, and it gives them the

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“Every moment is another chance to go towards your dream or away from it.”

“It’s never too late to become who and what you were always meant to be. All that has come before will lead you exactly to your future self.”

“Age and our perception of it is all about attitude. If you It took me 60 years to hook into my real purpose, which is shine from the inside, people don’t notice your age. They helping other people get their message out so we can just see the shine.” That one in particular resonates with change the world together. Working with Hallmark has me! given me a bigger platform to help make a bigger difference. The response to our Star Power Affirmation series has been incredible and it got Sue and I thinking. We both feel Monica: Would you mind ending the interview with your very strongly about helping people move toward their last word? possibilities and we know together we can teach people how to embrace their own Star Power and Barbara: Sure. Live your passion. Connect to your deliver the results through their branding. We are thrilled purpose. Make a difference. And don’t give up five with our new business model called “Your Next minutes before the miracle.  Evolution” and we can’t wait to show off some of our client success stories in 2016!

Monica: What legacy would you like to leave your family, your friends, your fans, and even your colleagues?

Barbara: Just that I gave people tools to empower themselves and the world around them. I want to inspire them to live their best life, and realize that everything is possible! I also want to challenge people to think about why they are here, and to quit wasting time on what doesn’t matter.

As you get older, you start realizing what your life purpose is. I find the GPS for finding your purpose is to follow what gives you goosebumps. Your passion will 111 Star Power Tips: lead you in the right direction. You have that passion for a Insider Secrets From a Hollywood Pro reason, so put it to work and let it inspire and empower you to do great things! By Barbara Niven Available at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NyZMeL Monica: I have enjoyed talking with you and learning more about your purpose in life, and what you’re doing to support others. Photo credits—All photos used in this story:

Barbara: You know, what’s interesting is that it is getting Creative Director: Sue Melke— better and better. Years ago, I thought 60 was old, but at www.melke.com.au/home.html 60, I am excited by this point in my life. Yes, gravity Photographer: Sabrina Bringuier— sucks, but everything else about it is great. Being a www.linkedin.com/in/sabrina-bringuier-93871238 Hair & Make up: Donna Moss— grandma is priceless, and my career is the most fulfilling www.linkedin.com/in/donna-moss-a456a0b it’s ever been. I am blessed and grateful for my miracles. Wardrobe: The Way We Wore, Los Angeles— www.thewaywewore.com

November-December 2015 | Exceptional People Magazine | 15 www.exceptionalmag.com Thank you...Founder, Monica Davis

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