Ray Zahab

On November 1, 2006 former “pack a day smoker” Ray Zahab and two other runners set out on an epic expedition to cross the Sahara Desert by foot. One hundred and eleven days and 7500 km after leaving the coast of Senegal they completed their journey stepping into the Red Sea. The epic expedition had the trio running an average of 70 km a day, without rest. National Geographic tracked this epic expedition by web, and the documentary film Running the Sahara – which was produced by Matt Damon, and directed by Academy Award winner James Moll – was filmed in an effort raise awareness for the drinking water crisis in Northern Africa.  After witnessing and experiencing the water crisis in northern Africa, Ray decided to leverage his future adventures to raising awareness and funding for causes that he supports and believes in. Running the Sahara would begin a journey of discovery - of learning that some of the largest barriers to success are the ones we put upon ourselves. Breaking these down, we can truly achieve extraordinary things.

In 2007, Ray ran the three coastal trails of Canada, back to back and non-stop: the Akshayuk Pass on Baffin Island, East Coast Trail Newfoundland and West Coast Trail in British Columbia.

Motivated by the Sahara run, Ray conceptualized the CanadaONExONE Run in May 2008. Along with a team of runners, Ray ran an average 80 km a day in each of Canada’s 13 Provinces and Territories. Schools were visited, students participated, and communities became engaged in many of the child based issues ONExONE is addressing. In Saskatoon alone, several thousand students and 27 schools were involved in school rallies and a city wide relay with Ray and the team.

Two years after touching the Red Sea, Ray, and two other Canadians, broke the world speed record for an unsupported expedition by a team to the South Pole.  In the process, Ray trekked this traditional route from Hercules Inlet to the South Pole solely on foot and snowshoes- without the use of skis.  Students and classrooms from all over North America joined the team as they trekked to the South Pole on a daily basis, communicating and actively taking part in an educational resource and becoming “team mates” of the expedition.  This expedition was completed as part of Ray’s organization, impossible2Possible.

In 2008, Ray founded impossible2Possible (i2P), an organization that aims to inspire and educate youth through adventure learning, and inclusion and participation in expeditions.

Ray is a proud 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.  Ray was the recipient of the ONExONE Difference Award in 2007, and the Torchbearers Award in 2010.

Throughout 2009 and 2010, expeditions have included: an unsupported 13 day run the length of frozen Lake Baikal, 3 Youth based expeditions to Baffin Island, Tunisia and the Amazon. All of these expeditions supported various initiatives through an Experiential Learning program in which thousands of students participated as active team members during the expeditions, from classrooms all over the world.

Ray has appeared multiple times in the media, including CNN, The Hour, CBC, CTV, BBC, Jay Leno, Discovery, etc.

In addition to his running adventures, Ray speaks around the world at events such as TED, IOC World Conference, Idea City, The Economist World in 2010 and 2011, World Affairs Council and countless major corporate events- spreading the message that we are all capable of the extraordinary in our lives and that in fact, the impossible is possible.

In early 2011, Ray became the first person to run across the ‘driest desert on Earth”, the Atacama Desert in Chile. He ran 1200 km in 20 days- with minimal daily re-supply and with his camping gear on his back. Thousands of students joined the journey thanks to live web and video conferencing.

Ray's Blog Entries:

Impossible to Possible

• impossible2Possible: Experience Based Learning

  In this talk Ray speaks about impossible2Possible, an organization he founded in 2008 with wife Kathy and close friends. From concept to activation- the story of how one small organization is connecting with and engaging thousands of students in classrooms all over the world. Challenging students and teachers on relevant topics such as Water and Biodiversity. The goal is to use exciting adventures as a backdrop for an innovative Experiential Learning Program. Conducting 3 expeditions per year in very remote and exciting locales, 2 of the three projects would see selected Youth Ambassadors completing the expedition- THEIR expedition, with Ray and team in tow. These have included RunningTunisia in 2010 where 4 youth ran across southern Tunisian Sahara, a distance of 268 km in 8 days. They shared their adventure- what they were learning about themselves and the educational topic of water- with thousands of their teammates in classrooms all over the world. The Youth Ambassadors utilized video conferencing, a live website, tracking, video/photo journaling plus a comprehensive Educational Program to achieve this. Students in classrooms were then challenged to help the Youth Ambassadors in meaningful action. By December 2010, enough money had been raised by students all over the world to construct 2 water projects in Africa through established water based NGO’s. Youth Expeditions have also included treks/runs on Baffin Island and most recently the Amazon Jungle (www.jungle2010.com). There is no cost for participating schools, and there are no costs for the Youth Ambassadors to participate on an expedition.

• Challenge. Distance. Discovery.

  Not your typical story of adventure, Ray Zahab's story has so many lessons learned and shared. Lessons that span hard life decisions, taking risks, believing in ones self, courage, compassion and the unexpected rewards that life and change can bring.
  
  Ray's story chronicles the true-life eight-year journey from quitting smoking to dipping his hands into the Red Sea after crossing the continent of Africa. The path chosen, the risks taken in pursuit of a dream, and the resulting gift of awareness and knowledge of so many of life's complicated questions. His journey extends well beyond any physical or mental test. It was a journey of not only self-discovery, but a journey of appreciation of others and their management of their circumstances, as well as unimaginable social, cultural and environmental issues.
  
  This visually stunning presentation takes the audience on an incredible journey through some of the world's most remote locations, and Ray exudes drama, excitement, humour and compassion. His presentations are based upon his adventures, but they also focus on his philanthropic values, and how his life changing, has changed other lives.
  
  Ray's international appeal is largely based in the fact that he has a relatable image of the regular guy doing extraordinary things. He became active and started running to change his life. Now adventure and running has provided Ray with a platform to not only inspire - but to change the lives of others as well.

• Your vision and commitment are totally inspiring! Your story clearly demonstrates that when one has determination and a clear vision, miracles can literally unfold.
  GBD Environnement Canada
• Ray Zahab is one of those rare people who can translate his truly awesome accomplishments into an enthusiastic, riveting and inspirational message. Listening to Ray speak about what he does and how he does it is like taking a happy pill, jolting you into action, and making you believe you can do anything. He is one of those undiscovered Canadian treasures whose message about going beyond your limits gets more relevant every day...this man does not just walk the walk, he runs the run.
  CBC Sunday
• In the 15 years we've hosted this conference, you are the first to have feedback with 100% in the "amazing" category. And we've had some high profile people in the past. So many thanks! You were the perfect choice to compliment our theme, but more importantly your presentation, deliverance of it, professional manner and story itself were all stellar. You have an infectious personality and it obviously resonated with the audience.
  Sun Life Financial
• Just wanted to say thank you again for doing an outstanding job last week with our team... I had a ton of great feedback from the group on your session, they found it really motivating and it fit perfectly to our theme.
  GlaxoSmithKline
• Ray Zahab was really fantastic. He's a special guy and so personable and down-to-earth despite his formidable accomplishments. His talk was a great start to the CPA conference and I know he sent everyone away not only in awe of him and what he has accomplished in a short period of time but also more aware of how we can all do a little bit to help make the earth a better place for all its inhabitants. We were very happy to have him on the program and wish him much success in his future endeavours.
  Canadian Payroll Association
• Thanks so much for everything at Can-Fit-Pro this past weekend! I've heard nothing but amazing feedback about your presentation! I was actually filming some testimonials at the Can-Fit-Pro booth in the tradeshow, and one lady started crying when she was talking about your presentation! That's amazing that you can touch so many lives in such a positive way.
  Can-Fit-Pro

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  April 2008

  
  
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  October 2007

  Running for My Life

  Ray Zahab was a pack-a-day smoker with a party lifestyle when he realized he didn’t like where his life was headed.  So on New Year’s Day, 2000, Zahab committed to take a different approach to living life – an approach that would ultimately lead to him to become one the world’s most respected ultramarathon runners and eco-challengers.  Running for my Life is a passionate autobiography that recounts Zahab’s journey towards his commitment to run clear across the Sahara Desert in just 111 days.

  
  
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  November -0001