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Life in Action is a book by Fernando Espuelas, published by Penguin Books in 2004, as an auto-biographical and philosophical story using Espuelas' experiences from childhood in Uruguay, through his early years in the United States, to the founding of Starmedia, the first Latin portal and VOY, as a real-life context for his personal philosophy of self-actualization. The fundamental message of the book is that success cannot be measured in wealth, power, or fame. Success and happiness come from looking inside ourselves to discover who we genuinely are, and what we truly need, in order to find true happiness. And then striving to live the best life that we can: for our loved ones, our community, and ourselves.
Background
Life in Action describes Espuelas' philosophy of introspection and subsequent analysis as the catalyst for action; he summarizes these ideas with the Spanish word "voy" ("I go"). Life in Action describes how to visualize success and work toward it every day. Espuelas' twelve principles are inspired by his own life and the lives of historical icons, from such diverse figures as Winston Churchill and Mahatma Gandhi to Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela, who have used their powers of vision, optimism, persistence, honesty, and courage to overcome obstacles like fear, doubt, and prejudice.
A historian who is one of the original Internet's innovators, according to media, historians and academicians, Espuelas in known throughout the Latin world as a visionary for predicting that the Internet would revolutionize and begin to "re-unify" Latin America.
Time and CNN named Espuelas as one of the “Leaders of the Millennium”, and he was recognized as a “2000 All-Star” business leader by Crain's New York Business magazine. The World Economic Forum includes him among its "Global Leaders of Tomorrow," and he was also a recipient of Latin Trade Magazine's Bravo Award, being named "CEO of the Year" by the magazine. Hispanic Business magazine gave Espuelas its Hispanic Entrepreneur Award in 2000. He received a New York Award in 1999. Espuelas has been named to the "power-list" of such diverse media as The Hollywood Reporter, The Industry Standard, Latino Leaders Magazine, Red Herring Magazine, Silicon Alley Reporter, Hispanic Business Magazine, CNN, Upside Magazine and Hispanic Magazine. In 2007, Espuelas was named a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute.
In 2008, Espuelas created a drivetime, daily bilingual talkshow broadcast on the Univision Radio Network, and online at espuelas.com A first for Univision, the leading Spanish-language media company in the United States, Espuelas' national show is broadcast in English. In 2012, the The Fernando Espuelas Show was re-launched as part of the new Univision America Network. He also appears frequently as a commentator on television and in print.