Texas native Matthew McConaughey is one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men. A chance meeting in Austin with casting director and producer Don Phillips led him to director Richard Linklater, who helped launch the actor’s career. Since then, he has won an Academy Award, appeared in over 40 feature films that have grossed over $1 billion; and has become an author, producer, and philanthropist with his just keep livin Foundation – all the while sticking to his Texas roots and “just keep livin” philosophy. He is co owner of The Austin FC Soccer Club, and a professor at the University of Texas in Austin. In 2020, McConaughey released his first book, Greenlights which became an instant New York Times #1 best seller and has sold over three million copies worldwide. His second book, a children’s book titled Just Because was released September 2023, and also became an instant New York Times #1 best seller. He currently resides in Austin, Texas with his wife Camila and their three kids.

Antron Brown is a 3X World Champion drag racer from Chesterfield NJ. He became the first Black driver to win a major U.S. auto racing championship when he captured the 2012 NHRA Top Fuel series title. He drives a Top Fuel dragster, which are the fastest accelerating cars in the world. With over 11,000hp, they reach speeds of more than 330mph, doing 0-100 in .8 seconds. Yes, that’s 0-100 in .8 seconds. Antron has an impressive track record with 71 career wins. Beyond his racing career, Antron was a host on Top Gear America, and was one of Idris Elba’s driving instructors in Discovery Channel’s “Idris Elba no limits” Brown lives in Pittsboro, Indiana with his wife and their three children. He is active in various community activities including church, NHRA Jr. Drag Racing, Boy Scouts and other youth-related programs.

Randall Wallace is a screenwriter, director, producer, and songwriter who came to prominence by writing the screenplay for the historical film Braveheart, starring Mel Gibson. Braveheart was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and won 5, making it one of the most Oscar nominated films of all time. Shortly after, he wrote the screenplay for the Jerry Bruckheimer blockbuster, Pearl Harbor, directed by Michael Bay. Randall has since directed films such as The Man in the Iron Mask, We Were Soldiers, Secretariat and Heaven Is for Real. His films have earned over $1 billion dollars at the box office. Wallace graduated from Duke University and put himself through a year of divinity school by teaching karate. In addition to his work as a filmmaker, he has authored nine books, is the founder of Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity, and is the father of three sons. wallaceentertainment.com

Van’s channel has been my favorite thing on YouTube ever since its launch, which my friends can attest to as I’ve forced all of them to watch his content. Bert Kreisher is quoted as saying there’s no one like Van in the world, and compared his level of genius to the likes of Dave Chapelle. It’s hard to put Van Neistat in a box. He is what happens when poetry, philosophy, filmmaking, and craftsmanship intersect. Given the choice between a fully pimped out MacBook pro and a typewriter, he chooses the typewriter every time. He’s a “repair it” instead of “replace it” sorta guy, and his hand made approach to life leaks into everything he does. He and his brother, Casey, wrote, directed, and starred in the HBO show, The Neistat Brothers. They started vlogging before vlogging was a thing. After their tv show, Casey and Van took separate paths. Casey went on to pioneer vlogging as we know it today YouTube, and Van continued to build his filmmaking career working on projects with the illustrious contemporary artist Tom Sachs. He also directed a feature film, and has worked on many other notable projects. One year ago, Van pulled back the curtain on his otherwise mostly private life, and launched his own YouTube channel, The Spirited Man. Casey introduced Van as his favorite YouTuber as Van does not watch YouTube, making his work one of a kind and original. Van has since gained millions of views, and coined a filmmaking style he calls the industrial essay film. His videos feel custom, explore a wide variety of profound life lessons, and have a way of unlocking the spiritedness most of us lose when we grow up.

There’s no bigger name in the sport of racing than Mario Andretti. Considered by many to be the greatest race car driver in the history of the sport. He’s often listed among legends like Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan. His achievements became legendary: The world watched as he won the Daytona 500, the Indianapolis 500 and ultimately the Formula One World Championship, an unprecedented trifecta. No other race car driver has ever won all three titles. Mario took the checkered flag 111 times during his career – a career that stretched five decades and across six continents. He was named Driver of the Century, he was knighted by his native Italy, and the Library of Congress in Washington DC added him to its Living Legends list. You may recognize his name and voice from the Pixar Movie Cars, or from GQ magazine where he was named one of "The 25 Coolest Athletes of All Time".

Andy Richter is an American actor, voice actor, writer, comedian, and late night talk show announcer. He is best known for his role as the sidekick of Conan O'Brien ​​on each of the host's programs: Late Night, The Tonight Show on NBC and Conan on TBS. He’s been in numerous movies such as Elf, Talladega Nights, Blades of Glory, and the Madagascar franchise along with TV shows including American Dad, Monk, and Arrested development.

Ben Napier is a woodworker and entrepreneur with a degree in history, founder of Scotsman Co. and co-owner of Laurel Mercantile Co. He is a past president of Laurel's Main Street America chapter dedicated to promoting the rebirth of their historic downtown district. Together with his wife Erin, they host the popular HGTV show Home Town. Home Town was the highest rated pilot in HGTV history, becoming the #1 show on HGTV in its 4th season, as well as one of the most-watched shows on all of cable television.

Bert Jacobs is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Optimist of The Life is Good Company. A $100 million privately held business based in Boston, MA, Life is Good® spreads positive vibes with its colorful collection of apparel and accessories. Jake, Life is good’s iconic hero with the contagious smile, teaches men, women and children that optimism is fun, healthy, and empowering.

For the past ten years, Brett Dennen – with his poet’s perspective, off-kilter vocals, insane sense of humor, and limitless musical freedom – has turned dancing like no one’s watching into a lifestyle. As a songwriter, performer, watercolor artist, and environmental conservationist and outdoorsman, the shows he performs and the events he hosts generate more than good vibes. His impact has been to gather like-minded music fans to consistently try to make the world a better place. Brett has toured with the likes of Jason Mraz, John Mayer, and Trevor Hall. His songs have been heard on shows like Grey’s Anatomy, and Parenthood, and movies like Horrible Bosses and August Osage County. brettdennen.live

Scott Avett grew up in a musical household in rural North Carolina. He is a founding member of the Grammy Award®-nominated band, The Avett Brothers. The band tours constantly, selling out arenas around the world. They’ve recorded multiple records with legendary producer, Rick Rubin, who MTV called the most important producer of the last 20 years. Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio co-directed a documentary called "May It Last" that followed the band as they wrote their Grammy-nominated album, "True Sadness." Coming next year is "Swept Away" - a musical inspired by and featuring the music of The Avett Brothers. Beyond Scott’s work as a musician, he is also an accomplished visual artist. His paintings and prints have been featured in coveted galleries. He describes his art as figurative work about spirituality and family/human relationships. Avett resides in North Carolina with his wife and three children. theavettbrothers.com