It's begun!

Over the past week I've had two VERY important preliminary conversations.

The first was a simple phone call with Ray Zahab (www.impossible2possible.com). I wanted to talk to him about supporting his foundation through this hike. There are a number of causes that I feel "attached to" or that I believe in, however this one is definitely my favourite and it's been without question that I want to support i2P. Ray does an incredible job inspiring youth to achieve what they think is impossible through these one of a kind youth expeditions all over the world. Not only are the expeditions about accomplishing the daunting, physically and psychologically demanding task, though there's a very important educational aspect to it as well. These "youth ambassadors" as they are called, are learning about a variety of environmental / climate issues that we are facing, and relaying these experiences to their peers in classrooms all over the world. His work educates and inspires youth the world over to create positive change for our natural environment. Education, physical challenge and the environment, the perfect marriage of what I believe in.

You can follow Ray on twitter at www.twitter.com/rayzahab

I’ll be meeting up with Ray in the next couple of weeks to discuss some ways in which this hike can be used to benefit i2P.

A few days ago I sent Aaron, my boss and owner of Popeye's Supplements (www.poeyescanada.com) in Ottawa / Southern Ontario, a carefully written email about our intentions to do this hike. Aaron’s an incredibly supportive boss and I kind of knew in the back of my mind that he would support us, but there’s still a nervous feeling I get sending a letter like this. People who know me, know just how ambitious I am and how unsatisfied I am with “normal things” people value, and I guess that’s why Aaron wasn’t too, too surprised. I got an email in return reminding me I’m just a little bit crazy, but that he’s excited to help us make this a success. He’s out west right now, but we’ll get a chance to sit down and chat in the next few weeks about some ideas I have.

Having the support of these two men is an enormous help in making this a success. It would honestly otherwise be significantly much more challenging logistically / motivationally had we not had this support.

Awesome week so far!