105. Rich German: The Ocean Activist
Rich German is an entrepreneur and environmental advocate with an unyielding passion for the ocean. Since 1999, he has been a respected business coach, captivating speaker, and best-selling author of three transformative books. In 2010, Rich's fascination with stand-up paddleboarding ignited a journey that would shape his legacy. Having navigated an astonishing 30,000 miles— more than the circumference of the Earth— he has documented over 2,000 awe-inspiring interactions with dolphins and whales. His photographic work has been featured by National Geographic, The New York Times, NPR, The BBC and more. His latest book, Blue Laguna, is a visual testament to the captivating marine life he has intimately encountered from his paddleboard. Rich's passion led him to found Project O, a non-profit organization committed to the preservation and protection of our ocean and the fragile life within it. Through its innovative Blue City Network, his organization is at the forefront of guiding cities toward regenerative practices, harmonizing the progress of urban development with the needs of the environment. Rich's voice reaches further through his solution-focused podcast, Our Epic Ocean, where he engages with esteemed experts to address the world's most pressing challenges. For the past two years, Rich has also served as President of the nonprofit OneWhale, an organization working to establish an ocean reserve that will provide sanctuary for whales held in captivity, demonstrating his dedication to the well-being and freedom of marine life. Based in the breathtaking city of Laguna Beach, California, Rich exemplifies the remarkable potential of aligning passion and purpose. His journey stands as a testament to the transformative impact one individual can make through love for the planet and more importantly to the massive change possible utilizing the power of collaboration. Rich’s dream is a world where humans learn to live in balance and harmony with the natural world. Follow him on Instagram: @richgermanlb