Episode 105: Mara James
Mara James founder and President of The Extraordinary Lives Foundation and Jeanne Pepper, Ep. 105
Mara James, Founder & President
“Together, we can make a difference and help others lead truly extraordinary lives.”
Extraordinary Lives Foundation
Mara James is a visionary leader, author, and passionate advocate who serves as the Founder and CEO of the Extraordinary Lives Foundation (ELF). Dedicated to improving children's mental health and emotional wellness, ELF's mission is to provide educational tools, resources, and awareness events that empower families and destigmatize mental health challenges. Mara's commitment to this cause is deeply personal, stemming from her own experiences navigating mental health struggles within her family and her eventual diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
Mara’s professional background is diverse, including roles in foreign exchange banking operations and managing a successful medical practice. However, her personal health crisis became the powerful catalyst for her life's true mission. Through a holistic approach that combined Western medicine and alternative healing modalities, Mara overcame her health challenges, experiencing a profound and inspiring personal transformation. This journey ignited her determination to create a foundation that would help other children and families access the resources for similar healing and resilience.
In 2015, Mara founded ELF, driven by the belief that early intervention and access to wellness tools can transform the lives of youth. Under her guidance, the foundation quickly grew, launching key initiatives such as the HUGS for Life Healing Center, which aims to bridge the gap between medical professionals and approved holistic healers. She also created the beloved character Piggie Bear, who serves as the organization’s mascot and the star of her award-winning children's books.
The Piggie Bear series and related educational tools are at the heart of ELF's Children's Emotional Wellness Programs. These resources are designed to help parents and teachers instill coping skills and resilience in children, making complex emotional topics accessible and engaging. Piggie Bear books and plush toys are widely distributed to vulnerable populations, including low-income schools, children's hospitals, and domestic violence shelters, ensuring that emotional wellness tools reach those most in need.
Beyond her work with ELF, Mara is the author of the teaching memoir, Unconditional: Mental Health Redefined, where she chronicles her personal healing journey and shares practical healing practices. She is a respected figure in the mental health advocacy community, having been recognized as one of the "Women of the Year" by U.S. Congressman Lou Correa. Mara James continues to inspire others to move beyond perfection to embrace connection, championing the message that healing is possible for all.
The video, Let's Talk Wellness ~ Premiere Episode - Talking with Mara James, features Mara James discussing the launch of her podcast, "Let's Talk Wellness," which is part of ELF's mission to change the conversation around mental health.
Episode 105
Host and Executive Producer: Jeanne Pepper
Producer: Eli Moskowitz
Camera Operator: Keith Anthony
Sound: Eli Moskowitz
Post Production: Eli Moskowitz
Original Theme: Jay Bernstein
Special Thank You to;
Gideon Bernstein
Monica Levy
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