Ray Zahab founder of impossible2Possible & Expedition Expert. An organization that aims to inspire and educate youth through adventure learning, inclusion and participation in expeditions to INSPIRE,
Ray Zahab is a Canadian explorer, adventurer, and ultra-distance runner who has run across the Sahara Desert and broken the world speed record for an unsupported expedition to the South Pole. He’s also the co-founder of impossible2Possible, a non-profit whose mission is to educate, inspire, and empower young people to learn more about the world and themselves by participating in free adventure-based expeditions.In this episode, you’ll hear from Ray Zahab on:(00:07:50) His personal transition. Ray recalls how he went from being a heavy smoker and drinker to a competitive mountain biker and ultra-runner. Plus, he explains how the sense of achievement he felt after completing and winning his first race inspired him to run 4500 miles across the Sahara Desert. (00:16:28) Running the Sahara. We talk about the documentary film narrated by Matt Damon that tracked Ray and his fellow runners' Saharan journey from Senegal to the Red Sea and helped raise awareness of the drinking water crisis in North Africa. (00:49:25) Overcoming the fear of failure. According to Ray, there’s no such thing as failure, there’s only a first attempt at learning, and he encourages listeners to have the courage and confidence to take the first step on the path to pursuing their goals.(00:54:42) Getting comfortable with discomfort. He emphasizes the importance of resiliency, self-reliance, and developing the skillset to cope with the more difficult and challenging situations in life.(01:02:23) The winner’s mindset. We discuss overcoming the mental barriers that stand in the way of success, and Ray shares a motto that motivates him to strive for excellence.