You see it, I see it—and sadly, it’s everywhere. There’s too much hatred in the world. Everyone feels divided, and if I’m being honest, I’m tired of all the negativity.

So we started searching online for positive content—and was pleasantly surprised to find it right here in the Quad Cities.

Beacon of Positivity: Honoring Kari Carlson

One creator we noticed is Kari Carlson, whose social media presence is consistently thoughtful, encouraging, and authentic. Kari has been sharing the story of her health transformation, turning her personal challenges into encouragement for anyone striving to make positive changes in their life.

Seeing her posts sparked an idea: let’s create an award to acknowledge positive content creators. To honor her and others who regularly spread positivity online, we created the Beacon of Positivity—a recognition celebrating voices that bring light and encouragement to digital communities.

A Conversation with Kari

Watch The Video Of Kari's Award Here.

How did your fitness journey begin?

“I always felt fit, but my weight was never under control.” That realization came before a vacation, when she noticed a pattern—working hard to get in shape, only to gain the weight back. “I wanted to vacation without the prior stress.”

She says she didn’t focus on doing everything right: “I didn’t worry about my bad habits; I only focused on adding a good habit to my routine.” Those good habits became the foundation of her transformation.

What inspired you to share your story online?

“I didn’t intend to share my story online—I was just doing what I felt was right for me.” But people began noticing her transformation and encouraged her to share. “I kept my struggle internal until I was confident with myself.”

When she learned that her story was inspiring the home office at 9Round, she realized her journey could motivate others, too.

How do you stay motivated in fitness and online content?

“For fitness, it’s a non-negotiable. I make no excuses—I just have to get my workout in.” That dedication ensures she prioritizes fitness before anything else in her day.

On her content: “I don’t see it as needing to be motivated to post; I’m just sharing my life experiences.”

Who inspires you?

“I love listening to motivational speakers like David Goggins, but seeing people in the gym working on themselves is really inspiring.”

Do you have a favorite quote?

“The transformation effect begins with you; transform yourself to inspire the transformation in others.”

Where can people find you online?

“My Instagram handle is @the_transformation_effect—it’s exactly what I want my life to be about. I’ve completely transformed as a person and want that to inspire others to do the same.”

Whether through meaningful posts, creative videos, or simply showing up every day with authenticity, Kari exemplifies what it means to make the internet a better place. Her content doesn’t chase clicks—it builds connection.

That’s why Dwyer and Michaels are proud to present Kari with the inaugural Beacon of Positivity Award. We celebrate Kari not only for what she creates, but for why she creates it—to inspire others.

She reminds us that kindness can be just as contagious as cynicism, and that optimism has the power to ripple far beyond a single screen.
Congratulations, Kari. You truly are a Beacon of Positivity.

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