Live Your Best Life — As You Help Others Live Theirs

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

Be the change. What a poignant statement — and a powerful call to action.

I would like to see two things changed in our world: the health of people here at home — and the well-being of marginalized women and girls abroad. We are facing a physical crisis here in America, in the form of inactivity and obesity — and several crises in third-world countries.

I hope to “be the change” in this campaign called “The Million Dollar Ironman” for CARE. In this challenge, I am striving to break the 9-hour barrier in the world’s toughest one-day sporting test — the Hawaii Ironman World Championships — to raise $1 million for what I consider to be the world’s finest humanitarian organization: CARE.

I am doing this to motivate myself to be the best I can be, but the crux of this campaign is not about me

This is about you…and them. I am doing this to inspire you to live your best life (by taking on your own fitness/fundraising challenge) and to eradicate poverty by empowering marginalized women and girls through CARE. I have always believed that training for an event on behalf of a charity dear to your heart will inspire you to live your best life — as you help others live theirs.

Please take a moment to think about the cause that makes your blood boil and your heart ache — and train for an event to benefit that cause. It will infuse every workout you do with purpose and passion. And, it’s easy! Just set up a free fundraising page at Firstgiving, pick your event — and go for it. With every step you take, your health will improve. So will our world.

WHY DID I CHOOSE CARE?

Beyond father and husband, my role as a CARE Ambassador is the proudest and most rewarding position I’ve held.

Last year, CARE programs improved the lives of more than 55 million people in 66 countries. They allocate an industry-leading 90% of all funds to people on the ground, so every dollar makes a difference. CARE not only feeds the hungry, and does emergency relief work, they help tackle underlying causes of poverty so that people can become self-sufficient. Recognizing that women and children suffer disproportionately from poverty, CARE places special emphasis on working with women to create permanent social change.

WHY IRONMAN?

If HH, The Dalai Lama was right when he said: “Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to achieve it,” then the Ironman can bring singular success. To do it well demands otherworldly sacrifice.

I chose Ironman because it is the most compelling way I know to honor those women and girls who have no voice, who face impossible odds each day, who live on less than $1 a day, who suffer grave human rights violations — and who somehow find a way to persevere with courage, dignity and grace few of us can fathom.

I plan to race this event and break the 9-hour barrier — a feat only 27 people in the world achieved last year. At that hallowed finish line on Alii Drive in Hawaii –  in the warm embrace of my wife, daughter, some close friends, CARE staff and some children and their mothers from third-world countries — I will present a check for $1,000,000 — and not a penny less — to CARE.

My motivation comes from the plight of girls like this. After seeing this video, and spending time with girls like her in Africa, my “want” to raise $1 million for CARE has been forged into a “need.” I need to do this to help CARE end injustices like this. I hold this girl in my heart. And, I will not back down from any training session — or the event itself — until I cross the line under 9 hours and raise the million dollars for CARE.

HOW TO TAKE PART

Those who donate to CARE on my behalf hold a special place in my heart.

With over 90% of all resources going directly to CARE programs, your donation will have the maximum impact where it is needed most. Every dollar is expertly-allocated, so no donation is too small.

It is seamless and secure to make a tax-deductible donation. You may visit my CARE/Ironman page or, if you prefer, send a check directly to “CARE” and include “CARE/Ironman” in the memo field:

CARE USA
151 Ellis Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30303

Thank you for making a difference in our world.