Captain's Blog
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Increasing Expedition Impact as a Member of The Explorers Club
Dear community, I'm delighted to announce I've been nominated into The Explorers Club! Since opening in 1904, The Explorers Club's members have led countless firsts: First to the North Pole,...
🌊 WEEK 11 ~ FINAL TWO DAYS RECAP 🌊
Today marks one year since completing my 2,669 mile row from California to Hawaii. Quick clarification on count: The journey lasted 70 days, 20.5 hours. In these recaps, I counted my launch-prep day...
🌊 WEEK 10 RECAP 🌊
Today marks 1 year since completing my 10th week at sea. Week 10 was fast and wildly hot. My thermometers both read 120 degrees F on my rowing seat (and maybe they could have gone higher; 120 is...
🌊 Week 9 Recap 🌊
Today marked 1 year since completing my 9th week at sea. Just as in every week before, Week 9 was full of my ups and downs. For example, one day I wrote in my journal, "Body breaking down. Legs...
🌊 WEEK 8 RECAP 🌊
Today marks 1 year since completing my 8th week at sea. By week 8, it really felt like I was in the middle of the ocean. An all that...
🌊 WEEK 7 RECAP 🌊
Today marks 1 year since completing my 7th week at sea. Week 7 was so special. A true turning point. I had turning points before, but this one was the biggest: I discovered inner belief and...
🌊 WEEK 6 RECAP 🌊
Today marks one week since completing my sixth week at sea. That's 42 days on the open ocean alone. Now, if you told me on Day 36, the first day of Week 6, that 50% of my time on the ocean before...
🌊 WEEK 5 RECAP 🌊
Today marks 1 year since completing my fifth week at sea. Week 5 was a week of turning points. First a literal turn, I was finally heading west! After weeks and weeks of wind and waves pushing me...
🌊 WEEK 4 RECAP 🌊
Last Friday made one year since completing my fourth week at sea. Week 4 was a period of paradoxes and wide swings in emotion. One one hand, rhythm and routine returned after I crossed the Cali...
🌊 WEEK 3 RECAP 🌊Â
Today makes 1 year since completing my third week at sea. Week 3 was really fucking hard. Like, constant battle, WTF-is-happening-hard. Whereas Week 2 was a stretch of small wins and building...
🌊 WEEK 2 RECAP 🌊
Today makes one year since I finished my second week of rowing solo to Hawaii. Week 2 was special, because it was when I first began creating momentum and routine. I started remembering why I chose...
🌊 WEEK 1 RECAP 🌊
My first week at sea was the hardest week of my life. Each day the ocean challenged me to drive forward and surrender. It's a contradictory balance that's hard to achieve... holding tight to your...
Beginning One Year Recap
Tonight at midnight makes 1 year since I climbed into my boat and rowed out to sea. With all but 3 days of training, I was bound for adventure. Those who know me, know that I'm not the same person I...
Sharing the ocean’s magic with you
During my 71 days alone at sea, the ocean stole my heart. I often found myself staring at the waves, wondering how I could ever show you just how beautiful the ocean really is. She’s not just fierce...
Our Impact in 2020 – thank you!
To my amazing community of crewmates and friends, People needed inspiration in 2020 more than ever before, and your support for the United World Challenge made it happen. Thank you for all you do....
71 Days: A reflection on land life
Today makes 71 days since I arrived in Oahu, Hawaii by rowboat. 71 days, just as long as I spent alone at sea. These 71 days have been a huge challenge. If you've reached out and I've been slow to...
Tez Gives Thanks
Day 70 | September 10 | mile 2601 21° 28.3 minutes north 156° 11.5 minutes west Crew mates, Land HO! After ten weeks at sea, seeing nothing but water above and water below, I finally see terra...
Tez’s First Captain’s (b)Log From The Pacific
Tez has now been at sea for 5 days. He was able to send this to our media team on shore by text message: Hey everyone, I know I haven’t made any posts despite being out on this adventure for five...
PurePower Botanicals sponsors the Challenge!
Introducing our latest sponsor, PurePower Botanicals! PurePower's story is inspiring: Launched by two cousins who realized their health and lifestyles needed to change, they discovered CBD and its...
Voice for Nature Foundation sponsors the Challenge!
Introducing our latest sponsor, Voice for Nature Foundation! Founded by famous eco-explorer and nature-defender David De Rothschild, the Foundation supports efforts to promote positive environmental...
Founders First System sponsors the Challenge!
Ever consider how many entrepreneurs have literally changed the world? How did they do it? For me, this is more than curiosity. With the Pacific row just weeks away, knowing tools to maintain...
Get Your Pirate Booty!
Introducing a new way to support the United World Challenge: Pirate Booty! When you purchase products through our Pirate Booty program, you show love to the companies donating products to the...
Our Pacific Pivot
To my amazing community of crewmates and friends, I received unexpected news last Saturday: My boat will be ready in time to row the Atlantic in January, but not in time to train first. Wait,...
Knock, knock! Who’s there? Trainers!
It's our team of all-star trainers and an integrative nutritionist, ready to kick down the door! After hearing about the United World Challenge at the Deloitte Well-being Fair in October, the...
We just received $25,000!
Friends, I have REALLY BIG NEWS! The Kazan McClain Partners’ Foundation just donated $25,000 to the United World Challenge campaign to inspire a more courageous world. I can hardly tell you how...
The OMNI Athlete – Podcast LIVE!
Last week I had the privilege of joining The OMNI Athlete podcast. Kudos to OMNI's talented host, who made me feel at ease like an old friend, and helped me reflect on this thing we call grit: is...
Nine Perspectives from My Week of Meditation
I spent the past week on a silent meditation retreat to know myself better and prepare for the Atlantic row. Here are 9 of the top things I learned, which may be helpful in your own journey. 9: Make...
Alumni in the Spotlight: Elliot Leung
Elliot Leung graduated from UWC Adriatic in 2004. He comes from Hong Kong, where he now lives and works building digital platforms. He started his own company, Gaifong, an innovative 'share economy'...
One week of silence to build inner strength
I’m told the ocean is an unforgiving place. When the waves pummel my boat and shake me to the core, and I’m thousands of miles from land and feel I’m losing control, what will I call upon to endure?...
Alumni in the Spotlight: Marthe Lamp Sandvik
Marthe Lamp Sandvik hails from Norway, and attended UWC Adriatic from 2005-2007. She currently lives in Oslo where she works in the global shipping industry. Hopefully the ships she manages steer...
Peep this: Donation port-hole!
The UWC Challenge donation port-hole is live! And we are so grateful for the initial outpouring of support. Thank you to UWC-USA who came on board as a fiscal sponsor and the 30 generous crew mates...
Losing sight of shore
Today marks the start of the 2018 Talisker Atlantic Challenge, the World’s Toughest Row from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean. All 28 teams have been in the harbor for...
TED-style talk now live!
Ever wondered what goes through the mind of an endurance athlete? How you keep going in the face of suffering? Turns out there are certain techniques that endurance athletes use - and mastering...
Thankful for storms
It’s Thanksgiving! A time for thanks - and hard truths. Gratitude is not just being thankful for what's good or easy; for me, gratitude is even more powerful when we can cultivate it for things that...
Alumni in the Spotlight – GintarÄ— EidimtaitÄ—
For our next installment of Alumni in the Spotlight we have the incomparable GintarÄ— EidmtaitÄ—. GintarÄ— attended UWC Adriatic in Italy from 2004-2006. Originally from Lithuania, she is now based in...
Alumni in the Spotlight – Elysia Glover
The United World Challenge is raising money for scholarships to attend UWCs. Attending a UWC can change the course of a life. We're presenting a series; Alumni in the Spotlight - to show the...
Inside the Endurance Athlete’s Mind
Ever wonder how endurance athletes just keep going? Curious what techniques we use to stay focused, positive, and making progress? Spoiler: the secret sauce isn't muscle or fitness. In fact, the...
Nothing can prepare you to row an ocean – but…
But you STILL have to prepare! And preparation takes time. That's why with 417 days before the start of the 2019 Atlantic Challenge, today I began training with the elite rowing coach, Lauren Rubini...
Opening Entry for UWC Day
Ahoy, and welcome to the Opening Entry in the Captain’s Log. Why start today? Because it's UWC Day, the International Day of Peace – a day to inspire action. That’s why I organized a trash cleanup...
Increasing Expedition Impact as a Member of The Explorers Club
Dear community, I'm delighted to announce I've been nominated into The Explorers Club! Since opening in 1904, The Explorers Club's members have led countless firsts: First to the North Pole,...
🌊 WEEK 11 ~ FINAL TWO DAYS RECAP 🌊
Today marks one year since completing my 2,669 mile row from California to Hawaii. Quick clarification on count: The journey lasted 70 days, 20.5 hours. In these recaps, I counted my launch-prep day...
🌊 WEEK 10 RECAP 🌊
Today marks 1 year since completing my 10th week at sea. Week 10 was fast and wildly hot. My thermometers both read 120 degrees F on my rowing seat (and maybe they could have gone higher; 120 is...
🌊 Week 9 Recap 🌊
Today marked 1 year since completing my 9th week at sea. Just as in every week before, Week 9 was full of my ups and downs. For example, one day I wrote in my journal, "Body breaking down. Legs...
🌊 WEEK 8 RECAP 🌊
Today marks 1 year since completing my 8th week at sea. By week 8, it really felt like I was in the middle of the ocean. An all that...
🌊 WEEK 7 RECAP 🌊
Today marks 1 year since completing my 7th week at sea. Week 7 was so special. A true turning point. I had turning points before, but this one was the biggest: I discovered inner belief and...
🌊 WEEK 6 RECAP 🌊
Today marks one week since completing my sixth week at sea. That's 42 days on the open ocean alone. Now, if you told me on Day 36, the first day of Week 6, that 50% of my time on the ocean before...
🌊 WEEK 5 RECAP 🌊
Today marks 1 year since completing my fifth week at sea. Week 5 was a week of turning points. First a literal turn, I was finally heading west! After weeks and weeks of wind and waves pushing me...
🌊 WEEK 4 RECAP 🌊
Last Friday made one year since completing my fourth week at sea. Week 4 was a period of paradoxes and wide swings in emotion. One one hand, rhythm and routine returned after I crossed the Cali...
🌊 WEEK 3 RECAP 🌊Â
Today makes 1 year since completing my third week at sea. Week 3 was really fucking hard. Like, constant battle, WTF-is-happening-hard. Whereas Week 2 was a stretch of small wins and building...
🌊 WEEK 2 RECAP 🌊
Today makes one year since I finished my second week of rowing solo to Hawaii. Week 2 was special, because it was when I first began creating momentum and routine. I started remembering why I chose...
🌊 WEEK 1 RECAP 🌊
My first week at sea was the hardest week of my life. Each day the ocean challenged me to drive forward and surrender. It's a contradictory balance that's hard to achieve... holding tight to your...
Beginning One Year Recap
Tonight at midnight makes 1 year since I climbed into my boat and rowed out to sea. With all but 3 days of training, I was bound for adventure. Those who know me, know that I'm not the same person I...
Sharing the ocean’s magic with you
During my 71 days alone at sea, the ocean stole my heart. I often found myself staring at the waves, wondering how I could ever show you just how beautiful the ocean really is. She’s not just fierce...
Our Impact in 2020 – thank you!
To my amazing community of crewmates and friends, People needed inspiration in 2020 more than ever before, and your support for the United World Challenge made it happen. Thank you for all you do....
71 Days: A reflection on land life
Today makes 71 days since I arrived in Oahu, Hawaii by rowboat. 71 days, just as long as I spent alone at sea. These 71 days have been a huge challenge. If you've reached out and I've been slow to...
Tez Gives Thanks
Day 70 | September 10 | mile 2601 21° 28.3 minutes north 156° 11.5 minutes west Crew mates, Land HO! After ten weeks at sea, seeing nothing but water above and water below, I finally see terra...
Tez’s First Captain’s (b)Log From The Pacific
Tez has now been at sea for 5 days. He was able to send this to our media team on shore by text message: Hey everyone, I know I haven’t made any posts despite being out on this adventure for five...
PurePower Botanicals sponsors the Challenge!
Introducing our latest sponsor, PurePower Botanicals! PurePower's story is inspiring: Launched by two cousins who realized their health and lifestyles needed to change, they discovered CBD and its...
Voice for Nature Foundation sponsors the Challenge!
Introducing our latest sponsor, Voice for Nature Foundation! Founded by famous eco-explorer and nature-defender David De Rothschild, the Foundation supports efforts to promote positive environmental...
Founders First System sponsors the Challenge!
Ever consider how many entrepreneurs have literally changed the world? How did they do it? For me, this is more than curiosity. With the Pacific row just weeks away, knowing tools to maintain...
Get Your Pirate Booty!
Introducing a new way to support the United World Challenge: Pirate Booty! When you purchase products through our Pirate Booty program, you show love to the companies donating products to the...
Our Pacific Pivot
To my amazing community of crewmates and friends, I received unexpected news last Saturday: My boat will be ready in time to row the Atlantic in January, but not in time to train first. Wait,...
Knock, knock! Who’s there? Trainers!
It's our team of all-star trainers and an integrative nutritionist, ready to kick down the door! After hearing about the United World Challenge at the Deloitte Well-being Fair in October, the...
We just received $25,000!
Friends, I have REALLY BIG NEWS! The Kazan McClain Partners’ Foundation just donated $25,000 to the United World Challenge campaign to inspire a more courageous world. I can hardly tell you how...
The OMNI Athlete – Podcast LIVE!
Last week I had the privilege of joining The OMNI Athlete podcast. Kudos to OMNI's talented host, who made me feel at ease like an old friend, and helped me reflect on this thing we call grit: is...
Nine Perspectives from My Week of Meditation
I spent the past week on a silent meditation retreat to know myself better and prepare for the Atlantic row. Here are 9 of the top things I learned, which may be helpful in your own journey. 9: Make...
Alumni in the Spotlight: Elliot Leung
Elliot Leung graduated from UWC Adriatic in 2004. He comes from Hong Kong, where he now lives and works building digital platforms. He started his own company, Gaifong, an innovative 'share economy'...
One week of silence to build inner strength
I’m told the ocean is an unforgiving place. When the waves pummel my boat and shake me to the core, and I’m thousands of miles from land and feel I’m losing control, what will I call upon to endure?...
Alumni in the Spotlight: Marthe Lamp Sandvik
Marthe Lamp Sandvik hails from Norway, and attended UWC Adriatic from 2005-2007. She currently lives in Oslo where she works in the global shipping industry. Hopefully the ships she manages steer...
Peep this: Donation port-hole!
The UWC Challenge donation port-hole is live! And we are so grateful for the initial outpouring of support. Thank you to UWC-USA who came on board as a fiscal sponsor and the 30 generous crew mates...
Losing sight of shore
Today marks the start of the 2018 Talisker Atlantic Challenge, the World’s Toughest Row from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean. All 28 teams have been in the harbor for...
TED-style talk now live!
Ever wondered what goes through the mind of an endurance athlete? How you keep going in the face of suffering? Turns out there are certain techniques that endurance athletes use - and mastering...
Thankful for storms
It’s Thanksgiving! A time for thanks - and hard truths. Gratitude is not just being thankful for what's good or easy; for me, gratitude is even more powerful when we can cultivate it for things that...
Alumni in the Spotlight – GintarÄ— EidimtaitÄ—
For our next installment of Alumni in the Spotlight we have the incomparable GintarÄ— EidmtaitÄ—. GintarÄ— attended UWC Adriatic in Italy from 2004-2006. Originally from Lithuania, she is now based in...
Alumni in the Spotlight – Elysia Glover
The United World Challenge is raising money for scholarships to attend UWCs. Attending a UWC can change the course of a life. We're presenting a series; Alumni in the Spotlight - to show the...
Inside the Endurance Athlete’s Mind
Ever wonder how endurance athletes just keep going? Curious what techniques we use to stay focused, positive, and making progress? Spoiler: the secret sauce isn't muscle or fitness. In fact, the...
Nothing can prepare you to row an ocean – but…
But you STILL have to prepare! And preparation takes time. That's why with 417 days before the start of the 2019 Atlantic Challenge, today I began training with the elite rowing coach, Lauren Rubini...
Opening Entry for UWC Day
Ahoy, and welcome to the Opening Entry in the Captain’s Log. Why start today? Because it's UWC Day, the International Day of Peace – a day to inspire action. That’s why I organized a trash cleanup...