When you have the opportunity to ask some of the most interesting people in the world about their lives, sometimes the most fascinating answers come from the simplest questions. The Thrive Questionnaire is an ongoing series that gives an intimate look inside the lives of some of the world’s most successful people.
Thrive Global: What’s the first thing you do when you get out of bed?
Miri Ben-Ari: I drink a concoction of water, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and flaxseed oil. It helps the digestive system and the body to get rid of toxins.
TG: What gives you energy?
MBA: People, music, meditation and physical activities.
TG: What’s your secret life hack?
MBA: Having an organized “to do” list.
TG: Name a book that changed your life.
MBA: “Nonviolent Resistant” by Haim Omer
TG: Tell us about your relationship with your phone. Does it sleep with you?
MBA: Of course not! I use the “do not disturb” feature pretty often, especially when recording and producing music.
TG: How do you deal with email?
MBA: I like to email, unlike texting, emails are more inclusive.
TG: You unexpectedly find 15 minutes in your day, what do you do with it?
MBA: I would call my mother~!
TG: When was the last time you felt burned out and why?
MBA: I always feel burned out when I don’t get enough sleep, and sometimes I even get sick. I am just recovering from the flu:(
TG: When was the last time you felt you failed and how did you overcome it?
MBA: Today! I am quite used to failing, it is the best learning experience after all.
TG: Share a quote that you love and that gives you strength or peace.
MBA: “I forgive myself and set myself free” (Louise Hay).
A Grammy Award-Winning violinist/producer/humanitarian, “UN Goodwill Ambassador of Music”to the United Nations, a featured blogger, and CEO of the non-for profit organization Gedenk. Originally from Israel, has created her own unique music; a revolutionary fusion of classical, Hip-Hop, soul and dance. A classically trained violinist, who once studied under the late classical master Isaac Stern, Ben-Ari has helped sell millions of records by collaborating with other Grammy award-winning artists such as Kanye West, Jay Z, Wyclef Jean, Alicia Keys, Wynton Marsalis, Britney Spears, Maroon 5, Akon, Patti Labelle, Brandy, Donna Summer, Janet Jackson, John Legend, Aventura, and Armin Van Buuren. Her album “The Hip Hop Violinist” on Universal Records features many of these collaborations.
Ben-Ari has been the face of many promotional campaigns, including Reebok, Vodafone, Pepsi , Coca-Cola and Harman Kardon. Among Ben-Ari’s accolades are the “Grammy Award” for “Best Rap Song”, an “Apollo Legend” by the Apollo theater in New York City, “International Jewish Woman To Watch”, the “Martin Luther King Award” from Israeli President, Shimon Peres, “Remarkable Woman” by First Lady, Michelle Obama , “Girl Up Advocate Award” from the United Nations Foundation, and the “Ellis Island Medal of Honor” be Neco. Ben-Ari is the CEO and co- founder of GEDENK (“remember” in Yiddish) , a not-for- profit organization that promotes Holocaust awareness and tolerance to young people.