How a Life-Altering Experience Inspired a Social Enterprise Connecting the Greatest Minds of Our Time Here's proof of what can happen when you turn your greatest obstacle into a profound opportunity.

By Kristen Aldridge

Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.

Social BIZ Experiences Michael Trainer is considered a force when it comes to innovative initiatives. Tapping into the experience economy, his inaugural Global Citizen Festival (an event that people earn the right to attend by doing good deeds) has raised billions of dollars in new commitments for programs serving the world's poorest people.

Trainer's latest endeavor, Peak Mind, has him partnering with some of the most notable thought leaders of our time, including Eckhart Tolle, Deepak Chopra and the Dalai Lama, to name a few, all to help communities around the world reach their highest potential.

"At the end of the day, the road comes up to greet you," Trainer says. "And when you make a big declarative commitment, it's incredible the amount of people that will come out to support you."

In this episode of Project Luminary with Kristen Aldridge, learn how a life-altering experience is inspiring Trainer to create impact from the inside out.

Watch more episodes of Project Luminary on its YouTube Channel here.

Kristen Aldridge

Founder of Original Stories Media, Journalist, Producer and Storyteller

Emmy-winning journalist and brand storytelling expert Kristen Aldridge is founder and CEO of Original Stories Media, a production company that specializes in capturing the origin stories behind the world’s most impactful brands. With over two decades of experience in the media industry, she has created content garnering millions of views for hugely successful platforms including BIZ Experiences, ESPN, ABC, CBS, Yahoo!, and SHAPE.

Passionate about all things BIZ Experiencesship, Aldridge created the original digital series How Brands Are Born to shine a light on all the remarkable people changing the world one big, bold dream at a time. Her mission is to help leaders reveal their most authentic selves so they can more effectively unleash their vision, inspire their culture, and bring deep value to the marketplace.

Want to be an BIZ Experiences Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

More from Project Luminary

The Powerful Reason You Should Never Give Up

How a Life-Altering Experience Inspired a Social Enterprise Connecting the Greatest Minds of Our Time

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for BIZ Experiencess to pursue in 2025.

Science & Technology

OpenAI's Latest Move Is a Game Changer — Here's How Smart Solopreneurs Are Turning It Into Profit

OpenAI's latest AI tool acts like a full-time assistant, helping solopreneurs save time, find leads and grow their business without hiring.

Social Media

How To Start a Youtube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube can be a valuable way to grow your audience. If you're ready to create content, read more about starting a business YouTube Channel.

Money & Finance

These Are the Expected Retirement Ages By Generation, From Gen Z to Boomers — and the Average Savings Anticipated. How Do Yours Compare?

Many Americans say inflation prevents them from saving enough and fear they won't reach their financial goals.

Starting a Business

I Built a $20 Million Company by Age 22 While Still in College. Here's How I Did It and What I Learned Along the Way.

Wealth-building in your early twenties isn't about playing it safe; it's about exploiting the one time in life when having nothing to lose gives you everything to gain.

Business Solutions

Boost Team Productivity and Security With Windows 11 Pro, Now $15 for Life

Ideal for BIZ Experiencess and small-business owners who are looking to streamline their PC setup.