Book excerpt: The motivational speaker and barefoot water skier shares stories of people—including herself—who found the courage to follow their passions. For years Karen Putz worked a sales job she neither loved nor hated. She liked the company and her boss, yet something essential was missing: passion. So she set out to learn from people who were madly in love with their work and their lives. Here, Karen tells the inspiring stories of individuals who discovered their true passion, purpose, and desire. And she begins with her own story of going deaf from a barefoot water-skiing accident only to rediscover her passion for the sport at age forty-four. Everyone is given a unique gift in life—but too many of us never unwrap the package. Unwrapping Your Passion is your guide to shaking up the status quo and getting down to the essence of who you are, what you love, and the passion that will drive your life forward.