The Cures Rock! Campaign has brought incredible adventures my way, and the weekend of the Boston Marathon 2009 was one of them. I had the distinct privilege of meeting and interviewing Serge Roetheli, and his wife, Nicole.You may have seen him in the “European Heroes” section of the October 10, 2005 Time Magazine article reminding all of us how much a single person can accomplish. His story is inspiring, and I’ll be featuring a few blogs to share his journey with you, including the video interview at the 113th Boston Marathon Race Expo.
THE EPIC RUN:In 2000, Serge and Nicole took the ultimate risk. They gave up all of their possessions and set out on the “Epic Run,” which would take them across 25,400 miles, through 37 countries on 6 continents, over a 5 year period. Serge ran the distance, and Nicole drove the motorcycle next to him as his support system. For me, endurance running is 5 hours, not 5 years! Serge's background includes being an Olympic Boxer and mountain guide from Valais, Switzerland. His running resume includes such feats as: running the Grand Canyon in a day, America’s Challenge (15,000 mile run along the Pan-American Highway from Argentina to Alaska) and traversing all 12 passes of the Swiss Alps.
BEYOND (the running):Serge and I connected where it matters most --- around deep personal and spiritual beliefs near to my heart --- one of these being running for a Cause to help others. I started the Cures Rock! Campaign to help raise funds for cancer charities and foundations, and it has branched into some of the most extraordinary adventures beyond my imagination. Serge runs to help children’s charities and orphanages around the world.
Spiritually and mentally, Serge and Nicole were challenged, but they never quit. They kept their sense of humor and say their discoveries around every corner made their journey meaningful in a way they hadn’t imagined, too.
WHAT'S YOUR STORY GOING TO BE?
We all have a story, but the real questions should be: What is it going to be? How much are you willing to risk to do something extraordinary in your lifetime without being attached to the outcome?
Their story, is now a reality documentary, “Beyond the Epic Run,” which is screening across various U.S. cities in Spring 2009. The movie is a tale of great adventure, incredible determination, unconditional love and intense survival that pushed them beyond their physical and spiritual limits. To learn more and find screenings in your area, go to: http://www.beyondtheepicrun.com/
This is not another "running movie." The movie is called “Beyond the Epic Run” because that is the most important thing to Serge: WHAT. IS. BEYOND.
“My movie isn’t about running. It’s about the Spirit of the run. It’s about for who and why you are running that takes you “beyond the epic run.”
(Part 2: Interview Questions with Serge will be posted later this week.)
Pic #1: Logo from movie web site
Pic #2: Julie duking it out with a previous Olympic boxer, Serge
Pic #3: Serge & Julie meeting for the interview at the Boston Marathon '09 Race Expo
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"We all have a story, but the real questions should be: What is it going to be?"
ReplyDeleteIt's still in progress, not that too many people care.
"How much are you willing to risk to do something extraordinary in your lifetime without being attached to the outcome?"
Literally everything. Sadly, I have found that it's not what you do or how much you give of your time, money, skills and passion, but how much you talk about it. A good PR campaign seems to be most important item in any philanthropic effort in this instant access, "me me me" world of the World Wide Web and modern day media.
Hi Michael - thanks for your comments. Well said.
ReplyDelete"We all have a story, but the real questions should be: What is it going to be?"
I like that stories are still in progress...so much adventure, so little time... it leaves some magic to life.
"How much are you willing to risk to do something extraordinary in your lifetime without being attached to the outcome?"
You amaze me, Michael. I feel the same way. A very special mentor to me says, "Everything you want, for everything you've got." So true.
As to your comment on PR, it's true. These days charities have to compete and fight for ever dollar just like the for-profit world. I'm sure many of them were blessed (includng the kids) by Serge trying to help them out by raising awareness for them through his running and the PR of his movie. Personally, I feel there is something somewhat sacred and karmically beautiful in the people that raise thousands of dollars, do amazing feats (like Chemo Rocks music), volunteer hundreds of hours...but don't ever look over their shoulder to see who's watching. They are the unselfish heroes to me. I'm sure we both could name bucket-fulls of those special souls.
Unfortunately, efforts that are "something somewhat sacred and karmically beautiful" don't pay the bills, find you a job, or help you raise a SINGLE DOLLAR in your philanthropic goals; but getting lots of free PR (deserved or not) DOES HELP in all those things.
ReplyDeleteIt is actually quite the opposite, with the silent hard work and self sacrifice, you end up with even more requests from others to help others fulfill there own goals...
or you start getting your iPods stolen from the chemo center, and end your "ChemoRocks" efforts.
That's life. As Don Henley once sang in an 'Eagles' song:
"I don't know why fortune shines on some, and let's the rest go free."
Best of luck this weekend in the marathon.