"One of the highlights of my 2012 has been meeting and getting to know Barbara Ling.

We had met earlier in the year, but got to know each other better when she agreed to speak at the Earn1KaDay seminar in August. By sheer luck and coincidence we ended up on the same flight to Las Vegas and back, and got to know each other.

Her presentation was amazing, but what happened later was truly inspirational. We planned to meet in the lobby to share a cab back to the airport and she was waiting for me there. While I settled up at the front desk, she calmly announced that her ankle had collapsed.

I only truly learned of the pain she must have been in later, but helped her get into the cab and through the airport. She would only allow me to carry her laptop while she lugged a backpack and luggage. For such a relatively small person, she was incredibly strong to have managed without breaking down and asking for a wheelchair.

But in getting to know Barb this year (we chat frequently on Skype), it's her mental fortitude and focus that's the most amazing part of her personality. If she says something's going to happen, it happens.

And here's the thing. I've seen what she's accomplished while she's still recovering from surgery, while she's been dealing with the loss of her mother and the months leading up to that, while she cares for 4 children, along with her several pets, and still she manages to build products and email relationships.

Through it all I've watched her maintain a totally positive attitude, where a lesser mortal would have broken down and took time off for self pity.

And any time I need to chat, she always has time to spare.

My goodness, where does she get all this energy? It can't just be the coffee.

What will 2013 bring when she gets back onto both feet (literally), and can work at 100% efficiency? I'll be watching to see.

I know Barb about as well as any other marketer now, and if I were asked to recommend one person to follow, she would be the one. She's truly a superwoman in my eyes.