The Wellness Advocates To Look Out For In 2017

A new year is right around the corner, and with a new year comes new resolutions. Do you make health and fitness related resolutions every January, only to drop off in the midst of cold, grey February (or even January!)? If so, these inspiring wellness warriors might be able to provide just the sustained motivation that you need to help make your next resolution become a lifestyle change, as they’re taking their commitment to health far beyond typical standards.

Serena Williams – The Fiery Feminist

You already know Serena Williams for her lifetime of domination on the tennis courts. She may be a legendary athlete, but it hasn’t made her immune to criticisms about her age or muscular build. Instead of internalizing cruel remarks, Williams has used her status to become an unapologetic face of the “strong is sexy” movement, with powerful appearances on magazine covers and a cameo in Beyoncé’s Lemonade. Time will only tell where her confidence and strength will take her next.

Cameron Diaz – The Introspective Beauty

Many celebrities look for unhealthy quick fixes to slow the wheels of time, but not 44-year-old Cameron Diaz. The well-known actress’s book, The Longevity Book, shares her journey of growing older and offers plenty of scientifically-backed tips for health and longevity. Keep an eye on Diaz to see how she uses her voice to continue spreading awareness about healthy living and aging.

Darya Rose, P.H.D. – The Neuroscientist Turned Blogger

Do you dream of a healthy life without dieting? Then you’ll love Darya Rose. This neuroscientist turned lifestyle blogger is a wealth of healthy recipes and general advice for healthy living sans dieting. Her 2013 book, Foodist: Using Real Science and Real Food to Lose Weight Without Dieting, is a valuable resource for those looking to make lifestyle changes for healthy living rather than a quick fix that doesn’t stick.

Anna Victoria – The Trendy Transformer

Anna Victoria hasn’t always lived a life of health and wellness. Like many Americans, she grew up eating junk food, only to see the negative effects hit hard during college. Rather than continue on with unhealthy habits, Victoria decided to study nutrition and fitness, exercise regularly, and write and stick to a meal plan. Since then, she’s added a personal training certification, shared her journey on Instagram, and built an entire fitness community around her Fit Body Guides.

Amy Schumer – The Humorous Voice of Her Generation

Amy Schumer is well known for her hilarious yet biting commentary on feminist issues, including rape culture, gender pay gaps, and slut shaming. She’s now using her voice to speak out about having a healthy body image. Schumer took to Instagram to share a photo from her photo shoot for the 2016 Pirelli calendar, captioning it, “Beautiful, gross, strong, thin, fat, pretty, ugly, sexy, disgusting, flawless, woman.” She’s sure to continue her positive influence on women’s health and wellness well into 2017 and beyond.

Tim Ferriss – The Optimizer

Tim Ferriss understands that Americans are short on time. That’s why he wrote The 4-Hour Body and The 4-Hour Chef to help busy men and women maximize their time and still crush their fitness and nutrition goals. Ferriss’s faithful fans tune in regularly to hear him interview experts in medicine, sports, and more on his podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show. No matter how busy 2017 may be, Ferris can help you make healthy living a reality.

DJ Khaled – The Snapchat Phenomenon

DJ Khaled’s success as a music producer and radio personality has earned him over 6 million fans on Instagram, and he’s now using the social media platform to publicly catalog his journey to a healthier life. Followers get an up-close look at his transformation from a 300-pound star hospitalized for high blood pressure to a wellness warrior who has lost nearly 70 pounds by exercising, and eating more fruits and veggies.

Karena Dawn and Katrina Hodgson – The Girls Who Are Toning It Up Online

Thanks to Karena Dawn and Katrina Hodgson, the dynamic duo behind Tone It Up, girls everywhere are getting in shape without ever stepping foot in a gym. What started as a YouTube channel of workouts is now a lifestyle brand that boasts a line of activewear, beauty products, bikini-body DVDs, healthy recipes, and more. Keep an eye on these two ladies in 2017 to see which high-profile fitness brand they’ll partner with next.

Tony Robbins – The Ultimate Motivator

From TED talks to self-help books, motivational speaker Anthony “Tony” Robbins will do whatever it takes to get people motivated. In the 90s, he made a powerful impression on the self-help world with his books Unlimited Power, Unleash the Power Within, and Awaken the Giant Within. Now he’s back with inspiration to get you financially fit in his newest book, Money: Master the Game. If you’re looking for motivation to chase your dreams in 2017, you’ll appreciate anything from Tony Robbins.

Chloe Coscarelli – The Vegan Visionary

Meat-lovers can’t seem to pass up an opportunity to give a vegan a hard time, but with one taste of Chloe Coscarelli’s vegan creations, they’ll be changing their tune. The vegan pastas, salads, burgers, and sweets she offers in her By CHLOE restaurants have people in New York, LA, and Boston lining up for a delicious vegan meal. For vegan pastries even your meat-and-potatoes uncle can’t resist, keep an eye out for where Coscarelli will take her fast-casual chain next.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – The People’s Champ

When Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson moved on from pro-wrestling to become an actor in Hollywood, his background in health and fitness remained a crucial part of his life and platform.  His accomplishments in the fitness and entertainment industries earned him the title of Man of the Century, given by Muscle and Fitness in 2015. Join his nearly 100 million combined social media followers to see what impact he’ll make on the fitness world next.

Deepak Chopra, M.D. – The Alternative Medicine Advocate

Deepak Chopra understands that spirituality is a key element of a holistically healthy lifestyle. Outlets like CNN and the New York Times frequently draw on his expertise in alternative medicine. His global 21-day Meditation Experience offers an up-close look at Chopra’s practice of spirituality, mindfulness, and alternative medicine.

Arianna Huffington – The Sleep Advocate

From C-suite executives in “the city that never sleeps” to busy, working moms in the suburbs, Americans simply don’t get enough sleep. Author and media mogul Arianna Huffington of The Huffington Post is a leading voice in the conversation surrounding health, wellness, rest, and the work-life balance. She has even devoted an entire section of HuffPo to raising concerns about sleep as a nationwide health issue. As we enter 2017, Huffington is sure to continue using her voice to champion a healthy, balanced life.

Karlie Kloss – The Model on a Mission

You may know Karlie Kloss from her appearances on runways and magazine covers, but there’s more to this girl than her good looks. Her passion for healthy living is easy to see in her fitness-driven Adidas campaign. Kloss also understands the importance of nutrition and used her cooking talents to whip up a line of dairy-free, gluten-free, and agave-flavored cookies. Part of the proceeds even go to providing school lunches to hungry kids worldwide. This wellness warrior is truly beautiful inside and out.

Lo Roxburgh – The Queen of The Foam Roller

If you’ve ever experienced the “hurts-so-good” relief of a great foam rolling session, then you’ll want to thank Lo Roxburgh. She reintroduced the foam roller as a key tool in releasing tension in your body to build lean, toned muscle. An expert in body alignment, Roxburg offers private lessons in her studio. Can’t make the trip? Her downloadable workouts will help you to improve posture, release stress, and build muscle at home.

Natalie Jill – The Social Media Fitness Queen

Natalie Jill’s 15-second Instagram videos may make fitness look nearly effortless, but this wellness warrior definitely knows how to put in the work. When Jill faced difficulty finding health and wellness resources for herself, she took to social media to bring you simple HIIT workouts for total body transformation you can achieve anywhere. Her follower’s can’t wait to see what helpful resources she’ll release next.

Caley Alyssa – The Yogi To Look Out For

Caley Alyssa is living the dream after quitting her finance job to pursue her passion for yoga. It paid off when her fresh new approach to vinyasa flow yoga was an instant hit in Los Angeles. Join one of her international yoga and meditation retreats to see why she’s totally transformed the yoga scene. If that’s not enough to inspire you, her monthly speaker series with other wellness warriors who are breathing new life into the yoga community certainly will.

Amanda Chantal Bacon – The Boho Juicer

Who says women can’t do it all? Amanda Chantal Bacon is a food educator, chef, sustainable lifestyle leader, world-traveler and loving mom. She launched Moon Juice for juices, milks, and snacks that tap into the natural healing power of raw vegetables, fruits, petals, herbs, roots, nuts, and seaweeds. Her three California storefronts and online store make it easy to discover a healthier, more natural lifestyle.

Ally Hilfiger – The Leader on Lyme Disease

When fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger’s daughter Ally arrived home with a tick bite at just 7 years old, no one thought much of it. It wasn’t until she was 18 that someone finally diagnosed her joint pain, paranoia, nausea, and unrelenting fatigue as Lyme disease. Now, she’s using her story to spread awareness with her memoir, Bite Me: How Lyme Disease Stole My Childhood, Made Me Crazy, and Almost Killed Me. Expect to see more from Hilfiger as she works with the Global Lyme Alliance to advance Lyme research.

Sohee Lee – The Bright Beaut

Sohee Lee is a stunning combination of brains and beauty. This fitness model boasts a Stanford degree and a strength and conditioning certification. She makes her vast fitness knowledge accessible to all on her website, where you’ll find her dieting philosophy, training plans, and more. Sohee has also bravely shared with the world her struggles with a past eating disorder. Sohee’s website, Instagram, and podcast are wonderful sources of motivation, inspiration, and healthy living tips.

Mark Sisson – The Ageless Paleo Pioneer

The Paleo movement, with its focus on moving and eating like our hunter-gatherer ancestors did long ago, has its roots in Mark Sisson’s 2009 book, The Primal Blueprint. His blog continues to be a source of paleo recipes, research, and workouts. Sisson’s charisma and charm make him the perfect voice for healthy living through a primal lifestyle.

Jordan Younger – The Blogger on Balance

Food blogger Jordan Younger’s fitness platform as The Blonde Vegan shifted radically in 2014 when she spoke out about her orthorexia and nutritional deficiencies. That announcement brought the little-known eating disorder into the national spotlight and marked the beginning of Younger’s new approach to fitness, nutrition, and blogging. Her memoir, Breaking Vegan, tells the story of her transformation from The Blonde Vegan to The Balanced Blonde and how she now lives a truly healthy and happy life.

Jennifer Forrester and Kalsa Kearney – The Track Teammates

Jennifer Forrester and Kalsa Kearney have known each other long before they became Insta-famous. These friends ran track together at the University of Washington before starting Two Bad Bodies, an Instagram account featuring workouts and motivational posts. They even caught the eye of First Lady Michelle Obama who reposted the women’s account as part of the five year anniversary celebration for Let’s Move! These wellness warriors now run separate accounts, and are both worth watching in 2017.

Kris Carr – The Plant-Fueled Cancer Survivor

Not many people think of cancer as sexy, but Kris Carr is working hard to change all of that. This wellness warrior used her 2003 diagnosis of a rare, incurable stage-4 cancer as motivation to live a healthy life, centered around self-care and a plant-dense diet. Her documentary Crazy, Sexy Cancer and the book series that followed brought light and joy to an extremely difficult topic. The New York Times bestselling author continues to use her platform to bring hope and healthy living to others.

Michael Pollan – The Guy Who Tells You What’s For Dinner

Michael Pollan’s food philosophy is delightfully simple: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. The author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, Pollan is debunking the myth that healthy living has to be complicated or scary. His 2015 PBS documentary, In Defense of Food, is an educational and entertaining look at the culinary habits of different cultures around the world. There’s no telling what this wellness warrior will put out next, but it’s sure to be inspirational to all those seeking a healthier lifestyle.

Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram – The Fully Raw Vegan Blogger

Have you ever tried sticking to a raw and vegan diet? How long did you last? Kristina Carillo-Bucaram boasts nine years of eating raw in addition to a triple major in kinesiology with a specialization in health science, raw foods, and fasting. Her company, FullyRaw juices, allows you to order her delicious and healthy creations to try at home. Her first book, The FullyRaw Diet, is full of mouth-watering recipes that are sure to make your next attempt at a raw and vegan diet a successful one.

Mark Hyman, M.D. – The Fat Buster

Looking for a doctor who won’t tell you to eliminate butter from your diet? Dr. Mark Hyman is your guy. In his book, Eat Fat, Get Thin, Dr. Hyman argues for a diet made up of 70-80% plant foods combined with healthy fats. His diet blends paleo and vegan diets in an effort to prevent heart disease and combat type 2 diabetes. His favorite breakfast? Eggs, avocado, olive oil, and fresh berries. Who said healthy eating can’t be delicious?

Kerrilynn Pamer & Cindy DiPrima Morisse – The Beauty Industry Game-Changers

If you’ve ever tried to rid your beauty routine of toxic chemicals, you know how frustrating it can be to decipher the complicated labels of most products. Kerrilynn Pamer and Cindy DiPrima Morisse have changed all of that with their Manhattan apothecary CAP Beauty. They strictly monitor which products they carry in order to bring you the best of essential oils, holistic health remedies, and beauty products. With simple labels and healthy ingredients, these products may just become your newest obsession.

Tyler Haney – The Athleisure Entrepreneur

When fitness is an integral part of your lifestyle, it’s important to find clothing that can handle your daily adventures. Tyler Haney’s athleisure brand, Outdoor Voices. has been the perfect solution for fashion-loving runners, athletes, and yogis everywhere. Her line of sports bras, track jackets, and more are rapidly reaching more and more fitness fashionistas who love her minimalist yet charming style.

Kathryn Budig – The Intentionist

Kathryn Budig is a yogi dedicated to bringing a fit and healthy lifestyle to as many people as possible. Her contributions to Women’s Health, Yoga Journal, and the Yahoo Health advisory board are reshaping the way the world views and understands yoga. An Under Armour athlete and author of Aim True, Budig lives a life that embodies her personal mantra: “Aim True.”

Kimberly Snyder – The Food-as-Makeup Artist

At first glance, you would never imagine that Kimberly Snyder once faced struggles with weight and acne. The New York Times bestselling auther’s first book, The Beauty Detox Solution, shares the nutrition knowledge she gained as she pursued a life of inner health. Celebrity clients like Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, and Drew Barrymore join the thousands inspired by her blog and podcast, Beauty Inside Out.

Tara Stiles – The International Yogi

Tara Stiles is a perfect example of the powerful combination of a healthy diet and regular exercise. As the founder of Strala Yoga, this yogi truly practices holistic health. Her first book, Make Your Own Rules Diet, and the cookbook that followed makes it easy for yogis and other health aficionados to follow her lead and enjoy delicious yet simple plant-based recipes.

Josh Axe – The Food-as-Medicine Doc

Clinical nutritionist and doctor of natural medicine Dr. Josh Axe is helping his followers discover the natural healing properties of everything from cricket flour to figs. He is a huge proponent of keeping food at the center of the conversation when treating health issues. Many are finding great value in his nutrition videos, which cover a wide variety of natural health topics, and his website draws 2 million readers each month.

Nicolas Jammet, Jonathan Neman, and Nathaniel Ru – The Fast Food Disruptors

Farm-to-table salads meet an accessible restaurant chain in the franchise Sweetgreen. Nicolas Jammet, Jonathan Neman, and Nathaniel Ru started the salad shop as undergrads at Georgetown which has since grown to 40 locations around the country. The sustainable stores get ingredients from local farms and keep soda and refined sugar off the shelves. With an added mobile program to make healthy eating even easier, Sweetgreen and the men behind it are sure to continue shaking up the world of fast food.

Rich Roll – The Plant-Fueled Superstar

From collegiate swimmer to drug and alcohol addict to 50 pounds overweight, Rich Roll has lived the extremes of healthy and unhealthy lifestyles. Now he is committed to a life of wellness with a plant-based diet and intense physical training. As a result, Roll was the first vegan to ever finish an Ultramar race, a three-day, 320-mile triathlon. With a speaker series, books, podcast, and international retreats, Roll is inspiring many others to embrace a healthy lifestyle, no matter what their past may hold.

Abel James – The Fat-Burning Man

An overweight and unhealthy Abel James fired his doctor when his low-fat, low-cholesterol diet didn’t solve his health problems. He went on to research healthy living for himself and committed himself to eating real food and practicing science-backed training. As a result, he reversed hypertension and shed 20 pounds in 40 days. With a website, podcast, books, and coaching, James now takes what he learned to others frustrated by their lack of results with traditional dieting and mindless running routines.

Jamie Oliver – The Celebrity Chef With a Cause

Jamie Oliver is a chef who isn’t content to stay in the kitchen. He’s taken to the UK House of Commons to lobby for a tax on Sugar and founded The Jamie Oliver Food Foundation to combat obesity by educating children about healthy foods. Well known for his restaurants, cookbooks, and TV show The Naked Chef, Oliver is a steady voice calling for healthier food and a healthier way of life.

Kerri Walsh Jennings – The Inspiring Olympian

Kerri Walsh Jennings is a woman who exemplifies a lifestyle of no excuses. Five shoulder surgeries and three children aren’t enough to keep this four time Olympic medalist away from the volleyball court. Her commitment to physical and mental health saw a 42-year old Jennings through her recent visit to Rio, and she continues to inspire countless Americans to pursue their health and fitness goals, no matter the obstacles they face.

Dave Asprey – The Bulletproof Exec

Just because you’re dieting doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to delicious coffee. Dave Asprey is the creator of Bulletproof Coffee and the Bulletproof Diet, a high-fat, pro-butter plan to boost your brain and body. Many nutrition experts criticize his high-fat plan, but that hasn’t stopped him from releasing a Bulletproof cookbook and opening a Bulletproof Coffee shop in California. Only time will tell what this wellness warrior will release next.

David Wolfe – The Raw Environmentalist

Raw foods, organic farmer, and environmentalist David Wolfe is all about making every day “the best day ever”. Wolfe is best known for his longevity teachings, delicious smoothie recipes, beautiful international retreats, and strong social media presence. He’s also the spokesperson for your favorite smoothie-making tool, the NutriBullet.

Frank Lipman, M.D. – The Rule Maker

You may have heard of functional fitness, but what about functional wellness? Dr. Frank Lipman’s functional medicine practice, the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center, focuses more on natural remedies and eating healthy than popping pills to mask symptoms. His book, The New Health Rules, offers straightforward insights on nutrition research and applicable next steps for leading a healthier life.

Shaman Durek – Third-Generation Healer

As shamanism gains popularity as a healing method, Shaman Durek is a leader in the movement. His seminars, workshops, consultations, and home visits explore unconventional yet ancient ways to pursue holistic health and spirituality. Celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow have turned to the third-generation shaman for advice and guidance.

Light Watkins – The Modern-Day Zen Master

Light Watkins is making meditation more accessible, and more fun, for individuals of all experience levels. For nearly a decade, the Vedic meditation teacher has helped students discover simple ways to practice meditation daily, whether they are discovering the practice for the first time or already have years of experience. His bimonthly event, The Shine, is a celebration of meditation, music, film, food, and community enjoyed by wellness aficionados in New York and Los Angeles alike.

Miki Agrawal – The Period-Proof Creator

Miki Agrawal is the beauty and brains behind THINX “period-proof” underwear, the intriguing new panties advertised in your Facebook news feed and NYC subway car. She is the unapologetic champion of this healthier alternative to tampons and traditional famine products. With other groundbreaking products, including underwear for women with bladder leakage and a portable bidet that cuts down on toilet paper waste, Agrawal continues to introduce brilliant new ideas for healthier and more sustainable living.

Sarah Wilson – The Sugar-Free Pioneer

When Sarah Wilson was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, doctors and nutritionists urged her to give up sugar to see if it may help. What started as a two-week experiment turned into a radical lifestyle change once Wilson saw the incredible results. She has since authored a New York Times bestseller, I Quit Sugar, and launched an 8-week program to inspire others to embrace the benefits of life without sugar.

David Perlmutter, M.D. – The Brain Food Doc

Neurologist David Perlmutter, M.D. is the author of Grain Brain and a leading voice in the gluten-free movement. His New York Times best seller, Brain Maker: The Power of Gut Microbes to Heal and Protect Your Brain—for Life, details his research into how what we eat affects our brains. Despite criticism for some of his therapies and claims, Perlmutter continues to be seen as the expert on brain food.

Jon Kabat-Zinn – The Mindful Man

Jon Kabat-Zinn is largely responsible for making mindfulness more mainstream in the Western world. His Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society teaches Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction techniques to those looking for holistic ways to improve their mental, emotional, and physical health. Through seminars around the world and a presence in major media, Kabat-Zinn continues to bring the practice of mindfulness  to people everywhere.