Ali Smith was born and raised in West Baltimore, Maryland. He is a graduate of the Friends School of Baltimore and the University of Maryland, College Park, where he received a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy with a Biodiversity specialization. Go Terps!Ali started his journey with contemplative practices as a small child, learning meditation from his father and attending the Kriya Yoga based Divine Life Church of Absolute Oneness run by Swami Shankarananda. He deepened his practice as a young adult, learning yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and breath work from his teacher and godfather Will "Uncle Will" Joyner, who the main character is lovingly based on. Continuing in the legacy of his father, he taught his two sons to meditate and all about yoga at a young age. Ali has almost 25 years experience teaching yoga, mindfulness, breath work, and meditation internationally to pretty much any population you can think of. He has taught in seven countries, on three continents, with a focus on under-served communities. His work has been featured on Good Morning America, CBS News, CNN, NBC Nightly News, PBS, as well as in Oprah Magazine and Forbes. Ali is a founder of the Holistic Life Foundation, co-owner of the Involution Group and co-author of the book, Let Your Light Shine.