THETHE AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR
Volume 4 • Edition 3
For more information For the 10th stage of the impossible2Possible World Expedition Series a Youth Ambassador team will venture to a remote and unforgiving region visit the i2P Website: of the planet that is known for its majestic beauty. http://impossible2possible.com/i2p Register your school today! The Lost Coast is the most undeveloped region of the California coast. The http://i2p.force.com/LostCoastSchoolRegistration combination of beauty and rugged terrain is an incredible setting for the i2P youth ambassador team to push their mental and physical limits. 2 FOUNDERS’ MESSAGE i2P HIGHLIGHTS: i2P GROWTH A message from the 7 COMMUNITY 11 i2P continues to grow and founders of i2P! ENGAGEMENT expand its reach. Read about We discuss how the i2P mission our new programs! 3 AN INTERVIEW WITH emphasizes engagement with RAY ZAHAB the community. i2P PROFILE: Ray talks about his run- BEYOND THE EXPEDITION ning, role models and 12 8 i2P HIGHLIGHTS: Understand just how much passions. FINANCIAL LITERACY expeditions can positively Adrianna Rossi explains the impact Youth Ambassadors EXPEDITION ATACAMA connection between Financial 4 HIGHLIGHTS Literacy and the mission of i2P Youth Ambassadors talk OFF THE i2P BOOKSHELF about their experience 13 Todd Shannon discovers a book COMMUNITY FITNESS that coincides with the i2P Mis- i2P HIGHLIGHTS 10 CHALLENGES sion. Ferge Hawk reviews what Check out how some schools it takes to run in the 6 are taking i2P to the next level! 14 ABOUT US: i2P MISSION extreme heat, following Expedition Atacama.
Impossible 2 possible continues to grow and expand its reach. Read about the newest additions to our organization! Found on Page 12
THE 1 AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR SEPTEMEBER 2014 FOUNDERS’ MESSAGE
TEAM ATACAMA CELEBRATES AS THEY COMPLETE 55 KM IN ONE DAY!
A Message from Ray Zahab and Bob Cox...
Is the summer of 2014 really coming to an end?! Wow, it has really flown by and with everything going on in the world of impossible2Possible we certainly need to remind ourselves to stop…..and smell the roses!!! That little phrase, we’ve all heard so many times in our life has such incredible value as we explore and adventure through this journey called life. It reminds us to slow down and appreciate not only the big things, but more importantly the little things (like the roses!!). Often times it’s the little special moments that give us the spark and energy to tackle and overcome those big obstacles and challenges we all face in our lives.
Since i2P was founded in 2008, Ray and I have never stopped appreciating each and every big and little moment. It hasn’t
mattered if we were on expedition in some of the most re- - mote parts of the world seeing the wonderment and beauty i2p Continues to grow. of this big blue planet, watching the growth and develop- Read MORE ON PAGE 11
ATAC TEAM CEL - AMA ment of our i2P Youth Ambassadors, receiving enthusiastic messages from students and teachers, taking a short hike with our beautiful children, or simply seeing the smile on someone’s face who has been touched by the i2P message.
The fact is we both whole-heartedly love what we do and try to appreciate each and every moment that life puts in front of us! As the summer rolls to an end we want to remind everyone to get out there and smell the roses, skip a rock on a lake, look up at the stars at night, go for a run, pass along a positive message to a friend, and while doing so enjoy those moments because this journey in life is truly what we make of it!!
THE 2 AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR SEPTEMBER 2014 An interview with Ray Zahab
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR PROFESSION? WHAT’S THE MAGIC FORMULA FOR SUCCESS? Getting to meet and run with so many extraordinary young There really isn’t one. Hard work, and a true belief we people. Seeing our Youth Teams communicate with thousands can be our own version of extraordinary- that we can of students blows me away- it never gets old! push beyond perceived limits- and living with passion. Success means different things to different people. WHAT DO YOU LIKE LEAST? My gauge is: Do you wake up every morning happy or Long days away from my family.... excited? If yes, then you have success and probably a lot of passion too! HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING THIS? Been running since 2003, i2P since 2007 !!!! WHAT DO YOU DO TO RELAX? Catch up on reading- or gardening! I admit it I love it! IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU DO I also love to cook. DIFFERENTLY? There are a few things- mostly i would thank great friends WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PIG-OUT FOOD? who have since passed away. But mostly, everything i have Heaps of salmon, or potato chips! experienced has ben a learning process for me- the journey has really taught me so much, and you can’t have ups without ARE YOU COMING OFF AN INJURY, OR HAS THIS downs! BEEN A PRETTY HEALTHY SEASON FOR YOU? Healthy! Knock on wood! WHO ARE YOUR HEROES? Terry Fox is a big one. So is my brother- he’s been my greatest IF YOU COULDN’T RUN AS YOUR SPORT, WHAT inspiration. And the Youth Ambassadors- every one of them. WOULD YOUR NEXT CAREER CHOICE BE? Chef WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? Hang out with my kids and find our own adventures!!! WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN ASPIRING RUNNER? HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED IN THE PAST 10 YEARS? In the days when you so badly want to quit, never give The greatest lesson in the past 10 years is that no matter how up. Always keep deep inside a light that you can look to. much we think we might have things figured out- there is Rough days make the good ones even brighter. always more to learn. WHO INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST IN YOUR EARLY HOW HARD DO YOU PUSH YOURSELF? YEARS? HOW ABOUT NOW? As best I can. My mother and father as I grew up.
WHEN ARE YOU COMPLETELY SATISFIED WITH YOUR WHAT’S THE BEST WAY YOU COULD END THIS YEAR? WORK? With i2P announcing more youth expeditions!!!!! I guess I never really am. Not to sound dramatic, but I think everyone on the i2P Team is always striving to make things even better!
3 THE SEPTEMBER 2014 AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR HIGHLIGHTS
FIVE Youth AmbassadorS WERE SELECTED TO EMBARK ON A CHALLENGING EXPEDITION WHERE THEY RAN SIX MARATHONS IN SIX DAYS THROUGH THE ATACAMA DESERT IN CHILE. THE AMBASSADORS WORKED AS A TEAM TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES, ACCOMPLISH GOALS AND PRESENT AN OUTSTANDING EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM TO CLASSROOMS AROUND THE WORLD.
55 KM The longest distance Team Atacama completed in one day. They broke the i2P record!
“For me, that one thing became the present: forgetting your feet, the pain, the running itself. Focusing became an art. Sometimes you can’t deal with the rough terrain, so you’d focus on the landscape and vice versa. One of the best things about i2P expeditions is that they take place in the world’s most remote and extreme settings, so I was always captivated by the Atacama Desert’s various valleys, oases, volcanoes, and mining towns. However, what made the expedition so rewarding was the act of running as a team – each of us made an effort to remain together as a unit, whether that meant running at a slower pace or running for longer periods without breaks. The beauty of it all is that in the process of trying to become a team, we became friends (at several points in the run, we even sang to each other)! Through it all, JESUS PEREZ physical fitness was crucial, but to achieve the impossible – you need the perfect combination of hard work, vulnerability, passion and grit.”
“The education component of the Atacama expedition was really interesting. We had discussions on topics ranging from the origins of the universe to the representation of female astronomers. We learned about how important as- tronomy was to the ancient people of Chile and learned how to find various constellations in the sky. My favorite part was checking out the stars and planets through the telescopes. We saw the craters on a full moon, clusters of stars invisible to the naked eye, the Milky Way, Jupiter and its moons! We saw the arc all of the planets sit on and lots of shooting stars. Steveo, Emma and I slept out- side in the driest place on earth. There were no insects or animals to annoy us because it was so arid. It was amazing to go to sleep and wake up underneath the beauty and wonder of the blanket of stars. When the full moon was overhead it was so bright I had to burrow into my sleeping bag to be able to sleep! That morning Steveo saw a shooting star - which may have been a good luck we needed for the upcoming 55.5km day! Once again I’d like to FLORENCE REYNOLDS say a humungous THANK YOU to everyone who made this experience possible for all of us!!”
THE 4 AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR APRIL 2014 “Having the privilege to join the whole i2P crew to the Atacama Desert in Chile has been the most memorable experience of my life. The months of physical and mental training could only prepare me so much for challenges and triumphs the expedition provided. The two weeks spent on this incredible journey with amazing indi- viduals from around the world helped me realize the importance of commitment, determination, and teamwork in achieving goals. I have certainly come to realize that everyone is truly capable of achiev- ing whatever goals they set for themselves. Over the course of the expedition I experienced every emotion imaginable – excitement, STEPHEN LAMBERT nervousness, frustration, joy, sadness, elation, surprise, and most often, overwhelming feelings of appreciation and happiness. I remember at many times throughout the trip I would look around at the foothills of the Andes Mountains to our left, the costal mountains to our right, and the desolate desert sur- rounding us, and I would just be able to do nothing but smile at the distinct beauty of the Atacama Desert. Despite meeting my teammates for the first time at the beginning of the expedition, by the end we really did feel like family. I really do value the fact that I can call Jesus, Val, Flo, and Alex four of the most important people in my life. I am truly honoured to be a part of the i2P family consisting of so many incredible people who I have learned so much from ever since I received the email from Bob Cox with the subject heading: “Congratulations! impossible2Possible Expedition Atacama Youth Ambassadors!”. I will certainly cherish my time spent on Expedition Atacama with i2P, and I am excited to share my experience with others, and continue to be a part of the amazing i2P family.”
“I gained two brothers, two sisters and a handful of new friends that I will remember for the rest of my life. Beyond that, I ran with some of the best ultramarathoners in the world, talked with the wisest man I have ever met and realized that every- one needs a support system. I learned so much from the educational component of this trip and I understood how much work goes into creating something extraordinary. Lastly, I learned so much from my teammates and will cherish this expedition forever. The impossible2Pos- ALESSANDRO AIME sible family is just amazing...I’ve never met such a TEAM as you, and I am proud and am honored to be a part of that.”
THE 5 AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR SEPTEMBER 2014 Team Atacama experienced extreme heat during the expedition. i2P Supporter and Contributor Ferg Hawke HIGHLIGHTS accompanied the team, but has certainly dealt with heat before.
FERG HAWKE - RUNNING IN EXTREME HEAT When I entered the Badwater Ultramarathon, considered the I have competed in some of the hottest and most extreme toughest footrace on the planet, I knew I would have to come races on the planet including the Ironman and Ultraman World up with a solid heat training strategy if I hoped to survive the Championships in Kona, Hawaii, Marathon de Sables in the 126f heat of Death Valley in July. Living in south-western Brit- Sahara Desert, and the 135 mile Badwater Ultramarathon in ish Columbia’s relatively cool climate was not an ideal training Death Valley, California. Each of these extreme environments environment for running a race in the hottest place on earth. provides a unique challenge for an athlete hoping to compete I developed a two pronged heat training plan that I hoped at a high level. Running in extremely hot conditions can be would not only help get me to the finish line but would allow challenging and, without proper preparation and planning, me to compete head to head with some of the top extreme can be very dangerous. As the temperature increases you are endurance athletes in the world. at risk for heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and the more serious condition of heat stroke. Heat stroke occurs when your core First, I built a sauna large enough to fit my treadmill and I temperature exceeds 105 degrees Fahrenheit. If not addressed, trained in it nearly every day for the final three months lead- heat stroke can result in death. ing up to the race. I would crank the temperature to as high as 135f and would run, walk, stagger for up to 3 hours inside my heat chamber (as I called it). These training sessions were some “I love the challenge of of the toughest miles I have ever endured but I knew it would help me deal with the brutal heat of Death Valley. I also spent a running in the extreme week in Death Valley about one month before the race, training heat because of the during the hottest part of the day. Training in my sauna and in Death Valley not only helped my body adapt to the extreme many variables that heat I would face in the race, but it also allowed me to dial in my nutrition, hydration, and electrolyte needs in race condi- you need to manage tions. in order to succeed.” I love the challenge of running in the extreme heat because The big island of Hawaii’s spectacular Kona coast is host to both of the many variables that you need to manage in order to the Ironman and the Ultraman Triathlon where temperatures succeed. It really is a bit of a science experiment. The range of can reach 95f with 90% humidity. One of the ways your body potential issues, from heat cramps to heat stroke, dehydration cools itself is from sweating. Actually it’s not sweat, per se, that to hypernatremia (low blood sodium), or sun burn to blisters, cools your body; rather it is the evaporation of sweat from your can all be trained for, managed, and prevented. For this reason skin that cools the body. With high humidity the sweat cannot extreme heat can be turned into a competitive advantage evaporate and is therefore unable to cool the body properly, with adequate preparation. At the same time, few factors can which can lead to a tough day very quickly. For example, with end your day as quickly as the extreme heat. The smallest of the relative humidity at 90% and the temperature at 92f, the mistakes tend to be magnified in the heat, therefore there is national weather service heat index soars to 131 at the extreme little margin for error. I truly believe that my results in many of danger level. these extreme races place me among athletes with abilities that far exceed mine. With the right training, dedication and Fortunately the body will acclimate to the hot and humid cli- strategy along with the willingness to do whatever it takes to mate in about 10 to 14 days, but for anyone trying to compete prepare your body for the specific stresses you will face in a in such conditions this means heading to the island a couple of race I believe it’s possible to turn a hostile environment into an weeks before the big race. Aid stations are situated every mile advantage. during the Ironman run with cold water and sponges that you can use to help keep you cool by dousing yourself.
THE 6 AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR SEPTMEBER 2014 Community Engagement
Social Entrepreneurship through Community Gardens Jenny Kenmir
In partnership with Transamerica and in the latest develop- ment to the financial literacy curriculum, i2P is currently ex- ploring social entrepreneurship and how individuals design creative projects to respond to the needs of others. One such project is presently unfolding at D’Arcy McGee High School in Gatineau, Québec (Canada), where teacher, Jess White, is leading students in the Me to We club in the creation of a community garden.
The garden will yield a variety of plants, fruits and veg- Impossible2Possible Run 2014 etables, providing nutritious options to students within the Melanie Clement school and members of the community. Items grown will be put into baskets and donated to the local food bank, while Impossible2Possible hosted its annual i2P Run on the sale of a few other items will be used to generate rev- August 23-24 in the beautiful Gatineau Park in Québec, enue that will be reinvested into the garden. Canada. The run celebrated trail running in the area. It included distances of 15km, 23km, 38km, 50km and 100km, over varied terrain. The day featured special guests and showed how well i2P is supported by ath- letes and spectators alike. All race fees supported future Youth Expeditions, which is the heart and soul of i2P.
This project not only benefits the community, but also en- gages it. Many companies and individuals have contributed supplies or time to build the garden. The school’s wood- working class even built the wooden garden boxes. Pres- ently, students and other community members are working tirelessly to maintain and expand the garden, volunteering time to water the plants over the summer break. Although still in its preliminary stages, the club plans to increase the size of the garden to include an orchard and Check out complete information on the i2P many more garden boxes. Such ambition is bound to make Run by visiting us at an impact within the community as both the garden and the http://i2PRun.com club’s vision continue to flourish.
THE 7 AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR SEPTEMBER 2014
The Importance of Financial Literacy ...and how it connects to the i2P Mission
The mission of Impossible2Possible is to encourage youth to reach beyond their perceived limits, and to use adventure as a medium to educate, inspire and em- power our global community to make positive change in the world. i2P aims to equip today’s youth with the understanding and belief that they have the power to change the world.
We envision a world of achievers that believe in their hearts that nothing is out of the realm of possibility! We achieve this by guiding teachers and students through a combination of three truly unique experiential learning experiences. Students fol- low and interact with the inspirational i2P Youth Ambassadors as they push beyond their own perceived physical limits each day of each Expedition; students develop financial knowledge and personal resilience through ready to use on-line classroom modules designed for teachers, by teachers; and they experience the world around them in a whole new way through the world class i2P education program!
As part of each Expedition, with the support of Transamerica, i2P Youth Ambassa- dors build student awareness of the importance of gaining financial knowledge and building personal resilience. As adults, we know that the ability to make informed financial decisions is essential to well-being at every stage in our life. However, basic financial lessons are often not learned at a young age leaving young people to learn these essential life skills the hard way-after they’ve racked up years of debt, or fallen victim to financial fraud.
Empowerment comes from understanding the basics of planning properly, antici- pating bumps in the road and overcoming them in ALL areas of our lives in order to make a better tomorrow. Undoubtedly, empowering a new generation of youth by helping them relate to these valuable lessons will result in enriched lives and more stable communities. We are happy to be helping to develop this essential program and engaging youth to expand the skills, knowledge and tools used to make better financial choices in the long run.
THE 8 AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR SEPTEMBER 2014 “I enjoyed the Financial Literacy Skype call with the i2P Youth Am- bassadors a lot. I think that speaking with the Youth Ambassadors was really awesome. They told us many stories of their own experi- ences in saving and spending money. Through this, I realized many things. I realized that financial security can provide a sense of ease. I think that it was a truly great experience. If more young people could have more conversations around this topic with their families and at school, I have no doubt that it would help guide them to be more finan- cially literate youth and make better decisions for their future.” Shannon Vezina Symmes Jr. High Grade 8
“The value of interviewing my parents and talking to them about Financial Lit- eracy was that I realized why my parents are always on my case about saving my money and not spending it on the first thing I see. By learning these lessons now, it makes me think about the things I want to do later on in life and to save for the things that are worthwhile to me. I understand that I will have to take steps to have a better future so that I don’t have to worry about money all the time. The Skype call with the i2P Youth Ambassadors was great because everyone had a different point to make about financial literacy and it gave me a different way to see things and learn from that.” Julia Fernandez Hinke Symmes Jr. High Grade 7
“I am very fortunate that working on my family farm has given me a lot of valuable life experiences. It is also a good way for me to learn about business and financial literacy. I have talked with my parents before about money and such things and I think every- one should at one point or another learn about it since it’s very important to under- stand how you should use money for example when and how to invest it or save it.” Tara Higgins D’Arcy McGee Grade 11
“I am looking forward to the i2P Fitness Challenge this year because I like setting goals and achieving them. I am also encouraging my aunt to do this with me be- cause after having a hard year, she has tried to join fitness clubs but then is not motivated to go. She needs a boost and I hope this challenge will inspire her to do it with me. This is a great opportunity to feel good about ourselves and feel fit for the summer.” Leeanne Findlay Groleau Symmes Jr. High Grade 7
The Student Perspective ...Why is Financial Literacy Important?
9 THE AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR SEPTMEBER 2014 Community Engagement ...Accepting Fitness Challenges
Symmes Jr. High/D’Arcy McGee High Set i2P Fitness Challenge Goals Adriana Rossi
This year’s i2P Eight Week Fitness Challenge at Symmes Jr. High/ D’Arcy McGee High was nothing short of fantastic. Kicking off the event in March was i2P’s very own John Zahab and Canada’s Olympic Pentathlete hopeful Melanie McCann! Both spoke about fitness, setting goals and surrounding yourself with positive Student Grace Keon people who believe in you. Their message was well received by speaks about how i2P has the student body who had been setting their own personal goals impacted her education eight weeks prior to the big run on May 7th. Students especially during a fundraiser earlier enjoyed John’s humor and Melanie’s rapier. They were curious and this year. had many questions about the life of a pentathlete and about the sport itself.
On the day of the run, we were honored to have i2P Peru Youth Ambassador Jenny Kenmir, join our event. Jenny said a few words of inspiration before the run began and then handed out raffle prizes at the end. Jenny had a great rapport with the teens. She was a true role model participating, talking and encouraging the students all along the run. It is the power of our i2P Youth Ambas- sadors that make the real difference in our youth. Kudos to all of them who keep giving back to their communities.
John Zahab and Olympian Mel McCann kick off the 8-week fitness challenege
THE 10 AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR SEPTEMBER 2014 GROWTH
Introducing Regional i2P Organizations
Impossible2Possible grows larger with every Youth This group is based out of Italy (like Stef) and has just com- Expedition, and every amazing challenge that Ray pleted their first expedition in July 2014. The team (includ- Zahab takes on and learns from. A lesser known aspect ing Ray) took a 5 member youth team through the Alps of our growth is through a few spinoff regional i2P running trails in Valtellina. They ran up to 40 km per day in organizations that have started up. We now have Réus- 4 days. Crossing mountain passes higher then 3000m, the sir l’impossible, i2P Italia, and i2P Chile that expand our team learned about this region and the renewed interest to reach to new countries and in new languages. preserve this area.
Sometimes a chance meeting can result in the extraor- The Italian and Chilean spinoff groups are self funded and dinary! Réussir l’impossible was started by Jean-Phillipe organized separately from the main i2P organization. The Turgeon with the intention of providing French lan- goals, values, and inspirations are the same: guage to the content that we create and share with the world, especially during expeditions. to educate, inspire, and empower youth from all over the world! While Ray was running the Atacama Desert in 2011 he connected with Cristian Sieveking, a legendary ultra runner who lives in Chile. Cristian was so inspired by A word from a French Teacher... stories of i2P Youth Expeditions that he wanted to start a Chile-based chapter. Over the course of the 20 day My class and I were very honored to be asked to participate as running expedition the two discussed this idea, and a one of the first French schools. We were lucky enough to welcome new organization was born under the i2P umbrella. Valérie Gagné in our classroom not once, but twice, so we could Ray met Stefano Gregoretti at the Grand2Grand Race get a before and after “shot” of her experience in the Atacama des- in 2012. Stefano loved what Ray was doing with i2P ert. Some of my students would follow “religiously” the posts that and wondered whether he could bring the idea back to were added on the French web site and on the French Facebook Italy where he lives with his family. Ray loved the idea page and they would talk about it in class, report to the ones that and i2P Italia was born. were technologically shy. We simulated group interviews as if they were applying to become youth embassadors for a future expedi- tion. They loved the experience and it helped them realize all of the assets and qualities that were necessary to get “on board”. I Réussir l’impossible has a Facebook Page if definately want to continue offering i2P to my classes. It provides you want to see more! my students with great examples of determination and of belief that many wonderfull things are possible. Thank you i2p! Relive i2P Italia and check out photos & stories from the first expedition on their Facebook Page! Mylène Lapalme French teacher ; Collège Saint-Alexandre de la Gatineau
THE 11 AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR SEPTEMBER 2014 YOUTH AMBASSADOR REPORT ROFILE CATCH UP WITH WHAT PAST YOUUNDTHERSTA ND HOW EXPEDITIONS CAN IMPACT Youth AmbassadorS
needed to save them or help them fix their situation. But then, I realized the pure happiness these people possessed. They were so content in just being; in enjoy- ing the moment, the day and the little things. It was a ABBIE NEWTON beautiful sight, really. PERU 2013 It caused me to think about how I measure success. You see, in our society, success seems to have a dollar sign As I reflect on my experience as a Youth Ambassador, a or a to do list attached to it. While in Peru, I began to smile comes to my face as I remember running through understand that happiness and passion should also be the Andes Mountains with my teammates, meeting Pe- in that equation when thinking about success. We are ruvian people in small villages and engaging with the only given one life and it is up to us to live it to the best world through physical challenge and education. We of our ability. We must put ourselves out there to expe- set out to inspire youth, but in the end, I was the one rience, feel and enjoy this unique gift we are given. who felt inspired. This experinece helped me under- stand what I want to do in my life and how I want to live Being in Peru showed me that life isn’t all about moving it. You see, while our Youth Ambassadors embark on up in a ladder or doing unbelievable things. Life is also these challenging expeditions, we come to understand about those little moments, like seeing a child smile more and more about the world around us and how we when I gave them an i2P bracelet, or hearing a choir want to make a difference in it. sing in a Peruvian church as we ran by, or feeling the wind of the Andes Mountains brush against your face Some change their course of study, others yearn for as you reach 14,000 feet in altitudue. more traveling and engagement and some reassess their dreams and goals. For me, I realized how fortu- It is important to delight in the little things. While nate I am to be in my current situation. I learned how we set out to be the best we can be and achieve our important it is to reflect on my life and appreciate every dreams, we must continue to appreciate the journey opportunity that is presented to me. to those exciting destinations. Being in Peru wasn’t just about running 150 miles. We weren’t simply looking to During the Peru expedition, we ran 150 miles through that last mile or to crossing the finish line. The moments the Andes Mountains and Peruvian Amazon. We where I learned the most were the moments between stopped in many villages and communities along the mile one and mile 150. Those moments, those are the way and got the unique chance to interact with the ones are continue to cherish. local people. We saw the conditions in which they lived and how they made a living. Some were in what we, Abbie hosted a TEDx Talk about her experience in a cultural context, would consider extreme poverty. in Peru in February 2014. You can listen here: At first, I was so perplexed to see this and I felt like I http://bit.ly/XQuvvX
THE 12 AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR SEPTEMBER 2014 BY: TODD SHANNON Off the i2P BOOKSHELF
While it is set in the year 2033 in a futuristic utopian Woven into the book are inventive scientific and mathemati- society, Journey to Hart’s Halo is actually an astoundingly, cal puzzles (think: educational program resources) – which metaphorically parallel and relatable narrative to the make the novel both a riveting, yet instructive, read for experiences that impossible2Possible Youth Ambassadors people of all ages. and participating students share on an annual basis. The novel begins aboard the world’s first international The author, Lou Hood, is an Ottawa native and a big support- space settlement – Zero Colony – that is about to colonize er of i2P (Thanks, Lou!). In fact, all proceeds from the sales of the project of an eccentric billionaire, Dr. Oliver Hart (yes, this book helped fund we(e)press and Expedition Africa back aptly named Hart’s Halo…) in 2012. We look forward to both of the sequels to Hart’s Halo that are in the works and can’t wait to see where Davey SPACE TRAVEL, FUTURISTIC TECHNOLOGY goes next. ...AND ADVENTURE
The book’s main character, Davey Randolph, is a 12 year old with the dream to win two of the twelve exclusive spots (sound familiar?) in a global lottery to be part of the first batch of Space Pioneers and spend five years aboard the Halo. He wins (sorry for the spoiler), and once on the Halo begins a journey, along with an international cast of clever and quirky friends, to unravel what is a life-altering mystery for Davey (which we won’t spoil here).
The excitement of the application process, venturing to unknown territory on an incredible journey, being sup- ported by friends and family, and pushing his limits are experiences that are familiar to all of us at i2P. And, how they approach their challenges - through perseverance, persistence, and not letting go of his dreams - are what make Davey and his friends perfect would-be Youth Am- bassadors.
Journey to Hart’s Halo iS a near-Future adventure that parallels Impossible- 2Possible in many respects. Grab a copy of the book for an exhilirating read!
THE 13 AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR SEPTEMBER 2014 A
MISSION & VISION B The mission of impossible2Possible (i2P) is to use the platform of adventure and technology to educate, inspire, and empower the global community to reach beyond their perceived limits and make positive change in the world.
The vision of i2P is to cultivate a generation of leaders who, through direct experience, education, and the use of O groundbreaking technology, are prepared to pioneer social and environmental action throughout the world.
U GOALS educate Before action and change must come education and awareness. Through a 21st century education program grounded in experiential learning and reciprocal communication, i2P makes use of television, film, the internet, and other groundbreaking new media to deliver social, environmental, historical, cultural, and scientific issues from around the T world directly to the classroom.
i2P’s Youth Ambassadors, world-class explorers, advisors, teammates and friends host high-profile adventures, designed to push their physical and mental limits, in some of the most socially and environmentally sensitive regions of the world. These journeys allow the explorers to act as conduits of inspiration, while using the theatre of adventure inspireto introduce the global community to the notion that nothing is impossible!
U i2P provides the platform, resources, and spirit to assist people, young and old, and from every situation and circumstance, to get involved in their global community and make a S difference. empower
THE 14 AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR SEPTEMBER 2014 i2P EXPEDITIONS FEATURE INSTANT COMMUNICATION & A UPDATES FOR THOSE FOLLOWING ALONG AT HOME! B O U
LIVE TWO-WAY VIDEOCONFERENCES BRING STUDENTS T DIRECTLY TO THE EXPEDITION REGION! U S
THE 15 AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR SEPTEMEBER 2014 THETHE AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR Editorial Team
Editor-at-Large Editor in Chief
Ray Zahab Bob Cox
Editor Editor
Grant Mowbray Abbie Newton
Art Direction Content Contributor
Todd Shannon Ferg Hawke
Content Contributor FergeContent Hawke Contributor
Jenny Kenmir Adrianna Rossi
Comments? Questions? Join our mailing list at http://i2p.force.com/TheAmbassador Suggestions?
If there is anything you’d like to see in “The Ambassador”, Distribution provided by: or if you would like to learn more about i2P, please contact Kathy Adams at [email protected].
THE 16 AMBASAMBASSADORSADOR SEPTEMBER 2014 www.impossible2possible.com