Martial Arts Champion, Sensei Martinez

In Japanese, Sensei means ‘Teacher, one who has gone before and holds more wisdom’. No one embraces the title of Sensei more than Brayner Martinez. As the owner of B. Warrior Martial Arts studio, Brayner trains both children and adults in Jujitsu. Jujitsu is a martial art which teaches strategic self-defense moves, using the mind and the body. It has been practiced in Japan since the sixteenth century. The word “Jujitsu” means the practice of gentleness. What is most fascinating about this ancient practice is the positive improvement it provides to the students character. Jujitsu instills confidence, focus, discipline and calm. Sensei Martinez is a champion and award winner in the world of Jujitsu, he commands respect and is both loved and admired by those who train with him.

Agent Of Change, Rachel Goldstein

Please meet this weeks V-Inspiring woman, Rachel Goldstein. Rachel epitomizes what it means to be inspiring. She is one of those real life angels that walks amongst us doing good. Her entire business and raison d’etre is based on helping others and creating positive change in the world. Rachel is incredibly intelligent, warm, resourceful and giving. Just being in her orbit makes one feel that positive change is possible, and if it isn’t, she will make it happen.

Rachel’s Agent Of Change Network demands social change, and achieves it by producing cause-related events, projects, film and television. Before starting her own network, Rachel served as the indispensable Director of Program Development for Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Foundation.

Karen Bergreen: from Law Firm to Comedy Club

Self-professed comedian, author and stressed-out mom, Karen Bergreen is a woman who makes us laugh out loud with her sharp observations on her life as a mom in New York City. Formerly a lawyer with a promising career, Karen realized that this promise was not hers and leapt into the unknown that is the comedy circuit. With this love for laughter, Karen has found success and fulfillment, and she’s published a hilarious murder mystery (sound like an oxymoron? It definitely works!). OPRAH picked Karen’s book as one of her favorites!

Win your personally signed copy of Following Polly by checking out Venus Tips and sending in your own story!

Shiyana T. Wainscoat – Taking a Leap of Faith for Love

Realizing that her hustle bustle life was leaving little time for what was really important to her, Shiyana T. Wainscoat took a hard look at her priorities and leapt, leaving a secure job with a steady paycheck for the love of her family, the beauty of Hawaii and her passion for photography. Check her out at Oahu Portrait Photographer!

Martha Towler Bringing Her Art and Creativity to Your Kids!

Martha Towler has embarked on her second career as a teaching artist. After many years as a graphic designer, Martha has combined what she loves with her creativity and has paved a flexible path where she can balance the demands of a job with quality time with her family! See what’s happening at www.kidspartyart.com.

Turning a Passion for Wellness into a Fitness Career – Farel Bischoff Hruska

As the National Fitness Director of Stroller Strides, a fitness program for moms, Farel Bischoff Hruska inspires women every day. Farel works with new moms all over the country to get moving and fit with their new babes in strollers! Inspiring moms to reach their potential – physically and emotionally – Farel walks the talk. With her own business, three girls and a husband to keep her busy, Farel works to help her family, the women around her and the Stroller Strides community to achieve fitness on all levels. And she shares her secrets on how to keep motivated and committed to our new year’s resolutions to keep fit!

Artist and Work of Art, Linda Cross

This week’s V-Inspiring woman is a work of art herself. We present to you, Linda Cross, artist, published author, gardener, wife, mother, and grandmother.

Linda Cross is truly an inspiration to women. Linda is doing exactly what she loves and is passionate about, creating art inspired by the landscape of the earth. Her work is beautiful and organic, much like Linda herself. At 73 years old, Linda is still having gallery openings and creating new artwork. Our V-Inspiring woman arrived in New York City in 1961, after finishing her Masters In Fine Art at the University of New Mexico, she designed and styled some of the finest department store windows, published a children’s craft book, and worked creating art, all while raising her family. Linda is the woman we all want to be, reminding us that with balance, and by honoring our creative gifts, we can have it all, and it doesn’t have to end at 40, or 50, or 60, or 70!

Ingrid Chiemi Schroffner: Writer, Musician, Mother… Attorney?

Ingrid Chiemi Schroffner spends her days poring over case books and presenting legal arguments to judges and juries. And she spends other parts of her day exercising her creativity! She’s found that nurturing that very creativity has helped her to be an even better lawyer.

Meet Debbie Guardian, Owner of Opie & Dixie Organic Pet Products

Please meet Debbie Guardian, one of the most passionate women on the planet. Debbie’s love for animals is so tremendous that she has created, and built her own company, through that love. As the owner of Opie & Dixie Pet Products, Debbie has created a line of organic, healing products that are so amazingly pure your children can use them. Really! Debbie exemplifies what it means to be inspiring and to be living your passion

Hester Chang: the Balance of Beautiful Artistry and Corporate Know-How

What better time to introduce our V-Inspiring woman than in June, the busiest month for weddings? Whether it’s a wedding, bar mitzvah or even corporate event, Hester Chang is a true artist, creating and executing events so personal, beautiful, and unique to each person and their individual vision, that you’re sure to have a celebration filled with memories to last a lifetime. A long-time consultant and equity research analyst, Hester brings to this artistry the high standards and experience of her former career!