Ordinary People Extraordinary Planet

by Shellie Hipsky, Cori Nicole Smith, Ray Leonard

Based on interviews collected from Ray Leonard's radio show, listened to in 75 countries, Ordinary People Extraordinary Planet includes incredible stories of a dozen people's triumphs over adversity. Meet Mary K. Hoodhood who provides dinners for over 3,800 hungry children in Michigan daily; a quadriplegic, she coordinates it all from her wheelchair. Arturo Sandoval, the Grammy/Emmy Award-winning trumpet player, escaped persecution in Communist Cuba to live his dream. Clarel Radicella, who pushed past her pain for years to inspire and connect people, shares her final three letters to her children. Through his "Homeless by Choice Tour" Roy Juarez, Jr., has talked to over 100,000 students about his experience being homeless at 14 years old with his siblings. Share adventures from a teenager who has built four libraries in Tanzania to a mechanic's bold expedition in the North Pole. The people in this book will uplift and inspire you! Dr. Shellie Hipsky is an associate professor at Robert Morris University, author of five books, and a respected public speaker. She educates, entertains, and inspires globally.

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Each chapter provides contact information for charitable organizations that spotlighted people support with their time and energy. OPEP will be giving back 25% of net profits at benchmarks to the featured charities.  Who are these dozen amazing people and their charities?
 
Roy Juarez Jr. - Motivational Speaker with his "Homeless By Choice Tour" reflects on being homeless at 14-years-old; has spoken to over 100,00 around the country and was featured on CNN
Homeless By Choice Tour homelessbychoice.com
 
Russell Hayes - Founder of International Dwarf Advocacy Association (a non-profit organization); this American solider helped sponsor an Iraq family in need
Little People of America LPAonline.org and dwarfchildren.org
 
Arturo Sandoval - World Class Musician who escaped from Communist Cuba
is the winner of four Grammys, six Billboard Music Awards and two Emmys
St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital stjude.org
 
Xiaobo LaPresta - Widow after 22 years; Love story of happiness, loss, and healing
One Foundation (Affiliated with Jet Li and Jacki Chan)
 
Bryan Mark Rigg - Author and motivational speaker who was once considered "...brain damaged"; Yale University awarded him the Henry Fellowship for graduate study at Cambridge University
Starpoint School coe.tcu.edu/starpoint.asp
 
Tasha Eichenseher - Environment Editor and Producer at National Geographic
N ational Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) neefusa.org
 
Clarel Radicella- Single mother of three who had a brain aneurysm and stomach cancer and went on to start her company Mind Your Business for those who have or support people with disabilities
Mind Your Business mindyourbiz.com
 
Sandie Andersen - Barista at Starbucks who donated a kidney to a customer/stranger
Donate Life donatelife.org
 
Shannon McNamara - 18-year-old Founder of SHARE in Africa a non-profit organization that built 4 libraries in Tanzania
SHARE Shannon's Afterschool Reading Program shareinafrica.org
 
Qun Queeney Tang- Former Cardiologist experienced "sub-health stress", came to America, and now leads a team of 3,000 people for USANA
Children's Hunger Fund
 
Randy Swanson - Adventurer who walked 200 miles to the North Pole in 16 days
Gilda's Club gildasclub.org
 
Mary Kay Hoodhood - Founder of Kids Food Basket a non-profit organization and recipient of Presidential Citizens Medals 2010; a quadriplegic whose organization feed 3,800 children daily
Kid's Food Basket kidsfoodbasket.org

122 pages, Paperback

First published August 16, 2011

About the author

Dr. Shellie Hipsky is the CEO of Inspiring Lives International, a motivational media company, and president of the non-profit 501 (c)(3) the Global Sisterhood, a charity that guides and supports women and girls toward their dreams and goals. The American Chronicle called her, “A top entrepreneur in the U.S.” and Huffington Post categorizes her as a “Fierce Woman.” Dr. Shellie has earned the titles “Entrepreneur of the Year in Inspiration and Empowerment,” “Woman of Achievement Award,” “Best Woman in Business,” and “VIP Woman of the Year.” Three of her 13 published books, Inspiration, Empowerment, and Balance (the Common Threads trilogy), earned international best-seller status. The former tenured professor hosted Inspiring Lives with Dr. Shellie on NBC and Empowering Women radio, keynoted internationally from Hollywood to The University of Oxford in England, and now teaches her signature EmpowerU Master Class making the world her classroom. This powerful entrepreneur and influencer is the Founder and Editor-in-chief of Inspiring Lives Magazine: The Magazine for Empowering Women which is available on the app, digital subscription, or at Barnes and Nobles nationwide with over 5 million impressions. Dr. Shellie has been featured on over 20 magazine covers and on all the major TV networks and she is delighted to be bringing the world The Empowered Entrepreneur’s Startup Solution through Morgan James Publishing.

Reviews

[Ray Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the founder and host of the radio program "Ordinary People Extraordinary Planet" and I found that this book represents my program very well. This book is 12 chapters of 12 Ordinary People who have done the Extraordinary to make a positive difference in the world around us. It is easy to read and definitly will inspire you. The beauty of this book is that 25% of the profits at benchmarks will donated to the featured charities in the bookf which include St. Jude Medical Center, Kid's Food Basket, Share in Africa and nine more mentioned in the book. What a positive message from the publisher by giving back.