We asked some very thoughtful members of our community to reflect on what they’ve learned from their heroes

Basauri Fernandez

Anthony Bourdain. Philanthropist, Chef, Author, and Human. His philosophy and the way he speaks so passionately about doing whatever the hell you want is what makes the journey worth it. I was probably about 11 years old when No Reservations aired on TV. I just remember watching him throughout all of those years until they stopped filming and being so captivated by him. I always thought to myself, “Is he allowed to say that on TV?”. Read more>>

Sasha Uddin

I remember the last time I got asked this question was in grade school; I never thought I would have the opportunity to answer it 15 years later. I would say my hero is Khalil Gibran, my favorite author. More often than not, I find myself reading his poetry and books when I feel something is not in alignment with my vision or I feel stuck in a situation. His words and thoughts about concepts remind me of why I do what I do. My favorite book written by him is The Prophet, and when in situations of uncertainty, I am able to remind myself about the concepts that are most important in my life. Read more>>

Kristi Omdahl

When it comes to business, my Dad has been a huge inspiration. Early in life, he began his entrepreneurial journey and built a very successful global marketing corporation. But after a few decades, he realized something was missing. He left the company he built, went back to school to become a therapist, and started over at 50. He has since built a thriving practice, but more importantly, he’s now doing what he loves most and is making a profound difference in peoples’ lives. Read more>>

T.C. Anderson

My husband, Jared. He’s been my grounding from the very beginning of our relationship and marriage, my logical center, and despite the little irritating things he sometimes does (as you’d expect to find between any couple), I’m in great admiration of the great man he is and has become. Two weeks after we wed at the courthouse in 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit Houston and flooded both our home and workplace. We were displaced to my parents’ house for several weeks while we figured out what to do and how to proceed. Read more>>

Lavanya Challa

Around age 10, I still remember walking with my mom to the bus stop and seeing some historical artist books sold on the side of the road, we bought a few. They were like $2 books. Van gogh’s painting were the first ones that captured me. The bright hues, the strong marks and the not-like-a-photograph nature of his paintings. But it was then that I learnt more about him, read about his pain, suffering and passion, I was hooked. I was and still am deeply connected to how someone in so much pain can create something so beautifull. Read more>>

ReRe

My hero is my mother. I have seen her struggle, work extremely hard, and also be used and taken advantage of by others. Throughout her years on this earth and everything she’s gone through, She has always been a strong and faithful servant of God, no matter what -she always kept faith and made things happen regardless. I’ve heard her secret prayers when she didn’t know I was in the room. I have also seen her wipe away tears when she didn’t know I was looking. Through everything she remained strong. Read more>>

Jeimy Herrera Saenz

The person I look up to the most is Music Legend and Icon, Jenni Rivera. Surprisingly, many Americans still don’t know who she is, when she was not only super famous and successful in the music industry but also as a business owner. She’s been referred to as the “Mexican Oprah”. Jenni Rivera was Mexican-American, born in Longbeach, California, she was a single of five children, had two failed marriages, was not the right age, size or gender yet she still beat the odds and made it big in Regional Mexican music. Read more>>

Katisha Pace

My husband is my hero. When we were dating he was traveling 1 1/2 hours one way to work everyday. He would wake up sometimes at 2:00AM to go to work if he was on overtime. He would leave his day job, drive another 1 1/2 hours and work a second job. He never ever complained. In the 5 years we’ve been together he has not only taught me the value of hard work, but he has supported me in a way that I have never experienced and never thought possible. Read more>>

Kevin Etta

AD 6, in what would be, in modern times, eastern Turkey, in a city called Tarsus, there was a male child born to Jewish parents with Roman citizenship. The child, named Saul, grew up speaking Greek, the household language of all educated Roman citizens across the empire. At a later age, Saul was sent to the epicenter of Jewish religious devotion and nationalism, Jerusalem, to attend Bible School. There he studied under the famed Jewish rabbi Gamaliel and learned to write in both Greek and Hebrew, becoming thoroughly versed in Jewish law and scriptures. Read more>>