Tonic's 50 Most Beautiful People

This week, People magazine published its highly anticipated 50 Most Beautiful People issue. Well, over here at Tonic we’ve compiled our own list -- a celebration of 50 men and women, who, in their own generous ways, make the world a more beautiful place.

Whether providing a good free laugh, preserving the planet or improving the lives of those less fortunate, these 50 are beautiful where it really counts -- on the inside -- deep souls, warm hearts and brilliant minds. And ironically, they’re all pretty darn good-looking. We hope they all inspire, arouse and entertain you, as much as they did us.

Without further ado: Tonic 50 Most Beautiful People (Today, 50-41. Make sure you see our second, third, fourth, and final lists as we count down!)

50. Neil Chambers, CEO and President of Chambers Design, Inc. and Founder of Green Ground Zero.

Years ago during a meditation, the practicing Buddhist and environmentalist wondered, "How is sitting going to help deforestation?" It was this inward search that propelled Neil towards his calling: the greening of urban centers.

Chambers' solution-oriented design, passion for the environment and talent for bringing people together have earned him notoriety as the "green design guru." He says, "The passion really started to grown when I started to find solutions." Once Chambers started to share his knowledge, the people came. "Everyone was looking to build this way, but no one knew how to do it."

Green design isn't only about building sustainable structures, but integrating them with the environment. Neil believes the technical stuff can be done in a beautiful way, as evidenced in current projects like the sleek offices of Cozart Medical in Myrtle Beach, SC and the luxe development Peninsula Esmeralda in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Pictured here, the Peninsula Esmerelda is described as having "an expressed interest in exploring contemporary solutions to sustainable tourism, renewable energies, bio-diversity, and regional education. The development would be completely powered by wind turbines and use nearly 50 percent less energy than typical resorts in region. Habitat for native species (such as snow egrets) was restored and expanded as part of the a desire to realize the goal of innovation and green architecture." Pretty impressive.

And Chambers thinks big, "I want it [sustainable design] to be like the wheel, like sliced bread. I want it to go far. But if we're only doing this for marketing and because it's popular, it's going to be like Disco." Consider yourself warned.

49. Kreg Graham – Suits For Others

Like thousands of Americans, Kreg Graham was looking for a work. Although he finally landed an interview, he didn't have a suit to wear and couldn't afford to buy a new one. So at the suggestion of a friend, he did the next logical thing: He asked for help on Facebook. The response was immediate and abundant. People sent suits, dress shirts, ties and even money to help with alterations and dry cleaning.

Overwhelmed by the generosity of strangers, Graham decided to pay it forward, saying, "If you can give away what you have, and still have it, then you truly own it." His good fortune didn't end there. After CNN aired a segment on Graham, Charlie Trig, owner of Trig Web Design, was inspired to make his own contribution and built SuitsForOthers.com. The site is an arena for people to post unwanted suits so those in need can shop for free. If you think you can't make a difference, Graham says, "Think again. Try looking at your story from another point of view!"

48. Chad Lindsey – Subway Hero

Every couple of years, a potentially gruesome tragedy, like someone falling onto the subway tracks, turns out to be a beautiful display of humanity... in the form of a stranger coming to the rescue, for example. How many of us can say with certainty we'd do that?

This year, Chad Lindsey played New York City's subway hero, a role he had been unwittingly preparing for. The actor was performing in Kaspar Hauser, an off-Broadway play where his character had to repeatedly lift a man who couldn't walk. Without thinking twice, Lindsey dropped his bag, jumped down to save the unconscious man and returned to safety.

And while Chad is the most recent and humble (they're always humble), it hardly seems fair not to give the other Noble Men of the Underground their due. Check out The Huffington Post's Subway Hero round-up.

47. Carol Levine – The Returning Veterans Project

Working to improve her community is nothing new for the practicing social worker. From working with underserved children during the 1970's to counseling AIDS patients in the 80's and 90's, Carol Levine has always been at the forefront of important social causes. So when the war in Iraq began, Levine knew she needed to help.

Since the Veteran's Association cannot legally serve military spouses, many go untreated. In 2005, she created the Returning Veterans Project, a mission to provide free and confidential healthcare services to veterans and their families of past and current Iraq and Afghanistan missions. To provide women with specialized care, Levine has enlisted over 60 therapists to donate their time as well as other health care providers including acupuncturists, naturopaths, chiropractors, physicians and massage therapists.

Carol believes counseling ignites the healing process, a necessary first step in helping women regain control of their lives. She hopes to be a part of that process. "One woman recently said our work saved the life of her daughter who served in Afghanistan," says Carol. "We know she is not the only one."

46. Chelsey Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger III & The Passengers of Flight 1549

Thanks to Sully's adroit maneuvering, the world was given one of the year’s most beautiful sights to behold: 155 men and women lined carefully along the wings of U.S. Airways flight 1549 as it float adrift the wintry Hudson River. What could have been an epic disaster miraculously turned to a true moment of hope and heroism.

45. Charlie Todd of Improv Everywhere

One night in 2001, actor Charlie Todd fooled an entire bar into believing he was musician Ben Folds (there is an uncanny resemblance). And so Improv Everywhere was born. Ever since, Todd and another 40-odd IE "agents," have been staging "missions" (free public theater) to entertain passersby, if not always themselves. IE operates under the slogan "We cause scenes" -- and they certainly do.

"My favorite thing about Improv Everywhere is that it brings smiles and laughter to complete strangers. I love it when we can successfully cause scenes that brighten the days of others. A good prank should be as much fun for the mark as it is for the prankster," said Todd, who was flattered to make our list, especially since he didn't get any superlatives in his high school yearbook.

Their most famed prank, The No Pants! Subway Ride has cultivated a serious cult following. Seven men performed the first No Pants! Ride in 2002. This year's 8th Annual No Pants! Ride rallied 1,200 participants and over 1,000 more in other cities around the world.

From Cell Phone Symphony to Best Game Ever, IE brings laughter and fun to everyday prosaic situations, like high-fiving on a subway escalator. According to Charlie, "The best way to go through life is by saying yes to unexpected opportunities.  We're all conditioned to say no and to stick with our routines and what is safe. Saying yes to new ideas and new things will open up new doors." We think this guy is onto something.

44. Christy Coleman – Green Make-up Pioneer

In 2005 high-profile make-up artist, Christy Coleman (at right, with her doggie!), lost her father to ALS. She believes the disease was triggered by exposure to chemicals and toxins in his native rural Texas. Although she'd been a long-time supporter of green living, Coleman decided it was time to do go beyond the personal. She became the first professional make-up artist to "green" her make-up kit.

Christy embraces the philosophy that beauty, style and nature can all live in harmony. She uses her access to the world's top photographers, models and celebrities to raise awareness around the eco-conscious cause. The make-up industry offers more eco-friendly chemical-free products than ever before, a trend that will hopefully continue. And while people pay big bucks for Coleman's expertise, she generously shares her extensive knowledge on her oft-updated blog.

43. Ron English – Artist

Liberating. Subversive. Controversial. Provocative. Accessible. Equalizing. Pacifying. Egalitarian. How else might one describe the kind of art that boldly combines the likenesses of Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama or a Muslim rendering of Van Gogh? Popaganda? That's what the artist calls it. Whether you like his work or not, Ron English is going to make you think, and maybe even see the world a little differently.

42. Linda Avey & Anne Wojcicki – 23 and Me

Thanks to Linda Avey and Anne Jojcicki (pictured at left) you can take a close look at your DNA -- all you have to do is spit. The dynamic pair created a simple process that gives people access to their genetic history and insight into how their DNA affects their health. 23 and Me also empowers individuals to actively participate in genetic research in ways never before possible.

41. Pamela Schein Murphy – R.E.S.T. Initiative

Little compares to the power of one woman using her bad experience to benefit others. Such is the story behind the R.E.S.T. Initiative In remission since 2007, Pamela explains, "The second part of my chemo treatment was six hours long every week and it was just unbearable. I thought there had to be a way to make the process less excruciating, and from that idea, R.E.S.T. slowly formed. I realized that the worst part about chemo was the focus on illness -- killing cells, nausea, fatigue, hair loss, and just thought I had to inject it with something good and pure."

Schein Murphy now dedicates much of her time helping to easing the grueling experience of chemo. She says, "Our charity is very immediate -- we actively help people going through chemo every day at NYU Cancer Center and the money we raise goes directly to them. The best way to help is donate, donate, donate!" And who doesn’t love a little instant gratification?