Spotlight on - Ray Zahab
On November 1, 2006 Ray and two other runners set out on an epic expedition to cross the Sahara Desert by foot. One hundred and eleven days and 7500 kms after leaving the coast of Senegal they completed their journey by dipping their toes into the Red Sea. The epic expedition had the trio running an average of 70km’s a day, without a single day of rest. National Geographic tracked this epic expedition by web, and the documentary film ‘Running The Sahara’ - produced by Matt Damon – was filmed in an effort raise awareness for the drinking water crisis in Northern Africa. After witnessing and experiencing the water crisis and malaria epidemic in Africa, Ray decided to leverage his future adventures to raising awareness and funding for causes that he supports and believes in.
“For me, already into my late 30’s when we ran across Africa, to learn and see that clean drinking water is a precious resource for so many people and then to return and see even people back home are affected by shortages or quality – that was a real turning point. Water is a precious resource! I joined Ryan’s Well because I wanted to be a part of an organization that was making a difference.”
In 2008, Ray founded impossible2Possible (i2P), an organization that aims to inspire and educate youth through adventure learning, and inclusion and participation in expeditions.
“I don’t consider myself a motivational speaker – I’m an inspirational speaker! I tell stories of my life, my journeys and hope that people walk away seeing that we all have the ability to do amazing things with our lives. Water for me – with the experiences I’ve had – has become a primary focus of what I do. Of course, education is a huge part of that – showing people at a young age that they have tremendous potential – but I truly believe that water is the single most important issue on the planet. One – there’s not enough of it and Two – if we have it, we usually take it for granted.”
Ray is a member of the board of Directors of the Ryan’s Well Foundation, is the official Athletic Ambassador and a board member of the ONExONE organization, and is a representative of SpreadTheNet. He was the recipient of the ONExONE Difference Award in 2007, and the Torchbearers Award in 2010.
Learn more about the i2P Twenty10 H20 Initiative or any of his other expeditions including the upcoming - Expedition Africa 2012!
In addition to his running adventures, Ray speaks around the world spreading the message that we all have the ability to achieve anything we set our minds to and in fact, the impossible is possible.
“I want everyone to realize they TOTALLY have the ability to make a difference. For people who think they can’t contribute because they only have $10 or an hour to give – remember that any step forward is a contribution! No single change can make a difference – it’s a combination of actions that will have the biggest impact.”
You can make a difference, too!
Donate, Fundraise or Raise Awareness.
Then, be sure to share your actions with everyone you know!
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