Best Lifers: September 2016

Best Lifers: September 2016

Every month you continue to inspire us with your #BestLifeProject stories. See how these seizers of opportunity, love, happiness, and adventure, in September.

Fighting for Your Dreams

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Warwick Morin trains tirelessly every day to achieve his dream of being a martial arts world champion. “I’ve put in years, thousands of hours, brutal training sessions, devastating sparring sessions, all for my dream in action, my passion and craft, my purpose.

“I came into the world found in a pile of clothes. I never met my biological mother or father. I was raised by a pair of incredible parents who had nothing but love for me my whole life and were always by my side. They introduced me to taekwondo at age five, starting my journey. Since then I have trained also in Gōjū-ryū, Karate, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Western boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai.

“At the age of 17 I left the house, I had been couch-surfing and then I lived out of my car while working two jobs. Then BOOM!! I lost both jobs at once and ended up in transitional housing.

”Muay Thai saved me. I spent ALL my time in the weight lifting gym and my Muay Thai academy training for constant competitions. A year later I was out and in my own apartment. Since then, I have travelled to Montreal and lived there for a few months to train at Tristar Gym alongside great UFC fighters. I want to further my knowledge and experience in Muay Thai by travelling to Thailand where it originated so that I can accelerate myself to my goal and become a greater leader and role model for future generations of martial artists.” Follow Warwick on Instagram @warwickfulke.

Finding Balance

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For Bryan Bennett, finding yoga felt like coming home. “I was a swimmer my entire life. Swimming was always something that gave me a sense of purpose. When I stopped swimming due to an injury, I was longing for something that enhanced my life the way that being in the water did.

“Three and a half years ago I walked into my first yoga class and I was instantly taken by the freedom and openness that I felt. Practicing yoga, to me, is like going home; it’s natural. It’s comfortably uncomfortable, it alters the way you see the world around you and the world in you. I also practice, teach and perform AcroYoga with my best friend, girlfriend, and partner, Kara. Nothing brings out the best in us like connecting through the touch and movement that Acro brings.

“I am now the lead Yoga Teacher at the Center for Yoga in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I aspire to live the best life that I can by motivating and inspiring others to be the best possible versions of themselves.”

Follow Bryan on Instagram @theacrocaveman

Live Simple and Humbly

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Marie Brann’s best life involves living simply and humbly. “I was born in Queens, New York. My parents were married very young and started our family when they were just 18 years old. My childhood was magical and my family was loving. They didn’t have a lot of money, so my brothers and I had to start working early in our lives to help out our family. I believe that helped me grow into the person I am today. One of the most invaluable lessons I’ve learned throughout my life is that you don’t have to have a lot of money to be happy. I have now been married for 31 years to the love of my life, Rick—he is my rock.

“I have been researching foods and exploring a lifestyle grounded in a plant-based, raw, vegan, and paleo-vegan diet. I’m also working on creating a catalog of healthy and affordable recipes. It is paramount that we nourish our bodies with healthful foods, because the body is our first connection to everything else: mind, spirit, and soul. I hope to spend every minute of my life enriching the lives of those around me. At work, I get to be myself and talk to people all day! We mostly talk about food—which is never a bad thing! This is just one way for me to give back and help people make good food decisions…and I get paid for it. I love my job!!

“My guide to living your best life everyday: Eat clean, laugh often, and love the very life you lead, because it is uniquely yours, and is a beautiful thing.” Follow Marie on Instagram @paleovegansrq.

How do you live your best life? Share your story by tagging your post with #BestLifeProject.