everybody I’d like to invite you all to join me on a trip around the world
join me on a trip around the world
join me on a trip around the world through 81 countries by bicycle but not
through 81 countries by bicycle but not
through 81 countries by bicycle but not just any bicycle we’re gonna be
just any bicycle we’re gonna be
just any bicycle we’re gonna be traveling today by tandem bicycle where
traveling today by tandem bicycle where
traveling today by tandem bicycle where I rode the front seat of this tandem
I rode the front seat of this tandem
I rode the front seat of this tandem bicycle and I left the back seat of the
bicycle and I left the back seat of the
bicycle and I left the back seat of the bike empty to pick up total strangers
bike empty to pick up total strangers
bike empty to pick up total strangers that I met along the way write them to
that I met along the way write them to
that I met along the way write them to join the journey and create
join the journey and create
join the journey and create intercultural friendships this is a
intercultural friendships this is a
intercultural friendships this is a dream expedition a good friend of mine
dream expedition a good friend of mine
dream expedition a good friend of mine Garrick and I put together and were able
Garrick and I put together and were able
Garrick and I put together and were able to manifest with the help of 40
to manifest with the help of 40
to manifest with the help of 40 corporate sponsors and what I’m going to
corporate sponsors and what I’m going to
corporate sponsors and what I’m going to share with you tonight is the biggest
share with you tonight is the biggest
share with you tonight is the biggest takeaway from this 8-year 81 country
takeaway from this 8-year 81 country
takeaway from this 8-year 81 country journey is a concept of philosophy and
journey is a concept of philosophy and
journey is a concept of philosophy and mindset I call the big give big I
mindset I call the big give big I
mindset I call the big give big I believe it’s as powerful enough to
believe it’s as powerful enough to
believe it’s as powerful enough to change the world
change the world
change the world so let’s ride let’s begin in Japan we
so let’s ride let’s begin in Japan we
so let’s ride let’s begin in Japan we decided to start our expedition in Japan
decided to start our expedition in Japan
decided to start our expedition in Japan we spoke no Japanese we’ve had no idea
we spoke no Japanese we’ve had no idea
we spoke no Japanese we’ve had no idea how we’re gonna get Japanese people to
how we’re gonna get Japanese people to
how we’re gonna get Japanese people to get on the back of the bicycle but
get on the back of the bicycle but
get on the back of the bicycle but somehow using the spirit of play and
somehow using the spirit of play and
somehow using the spirit of play and some good pointing and some good thumbs
some good pointing and some good thumbs
some good pointing and some good thumbs up we are getting able to get people
up we are getting able to get people
up we are getting able to get people like mr. Yama Fuji and little kids in
like mr. Yama Fuji and little kids in
like mr. Yama Fuji and little kids in the back alleys of China to come on and
the back alleys of China to come on and
the back alleys of China to come on and share our passion for cycling speaking
share our passion for cycling speaking
share our passion for cycling speaking of passions we built this bike in true
of passions we built this bike in true
of passions we built this bike in true live big give big fashion the tandem
live big give big fashion the tandem
live big give big fashion the tandem mode was what we were traveling you’ve
mode was what we were traveling you’ve
mode was what we were traveling you’ve seen and the single mode that we could
seen and the single mode that we could
seen and the single mode that we could actually change that bike into a single
actually change that bike into a single
actually change that bike into a single bike to go and rip the trails of Asia so
bike to go and rip the trails of Asia so
bike to go and rip the trails of Asia so by the time we were in China on our way
by the time we were in China on our way
by the time we were in China on our way up to the Himalaya we were so proud of
up to the Himalaya we were so proud of
up to the Himalaya we were so proud of ourself we thought we were invincible we
ourself we thought we were invincible we
ourself we thought we were invincible we pulled off the ultimate dream you can
pulled off the ultimate dream you can
pulled off the ultimate dream you can see how proud we look there but things
see how proud we look there but things
see how proud we look there but things change you can see our faces change
change you can see our faces change
change you can see our faces change right there and there’s only one bicycle
right there and there’s only one bicycle
right there and there’s only one bicycle if somebody stole the bicycle in broad
if somebody stole the bicycle in broad
if somebody stole the bicycle in broad daylight in country 3 of 81 we were
daylight in country 3 of 81 we were
daylight in country 3 of 81 we were devastated the people of China are like
devastated the people of China are like
devastated the people of China are like if your bikes stolen in China it’s gone
if your bikes stolen in China it’s gone
if your bikes stolen in China it’s gone the police aren’t gonna help you find it
the police aren’t gonna help you find it
the police aren’t gonna help you find it it’s gone kiss it goodbye we didn’t
it’s gone kiss it goodbye we didn’t
it’s gone kiss it goodbye we didn’t believe them we went and got in the
believe them we went and got in the
believe them we went and got in the front page of the newspaper we made
front page of the newspaper we made
front page of the newspaper we made flyers and we told everyone please help
flyers and we told everyone please help
flyers and we told everyone please help us find this bicycle please help us find
us find this bicycle please help us find
us find this bicycle please help us find the bicycle a couple days later this man
the bicycle a couple days later this man
the bicycle a couple days later this man knocked on our door he was the Chief of
knocked on our door he was the Chief of
knocked on our door he was the Chief of Police of the sham Police Department he
Police of the sham Police Department he
Police of the sham Police Department he said we want to take you guys out to
said we want to take you guys out to
said we want to take you guys out to dinner we get to the dinner table his
dinner we get to the dinner table his
dinner we get to the dinner table his wife was there there’s a big plate all
wife was there there’s a big plate all
wife was there there’s a big plate all these plates of food and pig brains and
these plates of food and pig brains and
these plates of food and pig brains and all these things were already set out
all these things were already set out
all these things were already set out and and he would here he would he had
and and he would here he would he had
and and he would here he would he had prepared his speech could tell and he
prepared his speech could tell and he
prepared his speech could tell and he looked at across the room from us he
looked at across the room from us he
looked at across the room from us he said the table he said
said the table he said
said the table he said Jamie Garrick we’re going to find your
Jamie Garrick we’re going to find your
Jamie Garrick we’re going to find your bicycle and Garrick so will you found it
bicycle and Garrick so will you found it
bicycle and Garrick so will you found it is oh no no no we didn’t find it yet but
is oh no no no we didn’t find it yet but
is oh no no no we didn’t find it yet but we’re going to find it if you promise
we’re going to find it if you promise
we’re going to find it if you promise not to go to the newspaper again so I
not to go to the newspaper again so I
not to go to the newspaper again so I said okay no problem we promise and we
said okay no problem we promise and we
said okay no problem we promise and we started eating and everything and then I
started eating and everything and then I
started eating and everything and then I said what why can’t we go to the
said what why can’t we go to the
said what why can’t we go to the newspaper again he said when that
newspaper again he said when that
newspaper again he said when that article came out so many people from the
article came out so many people from the
article came out so many people from the Shan community called the police to
Shan community called the police to
Shan community called the police to complain about finding our bike that
complain about finding our bike that
complain about finding our bike that they couldn’t make a receive phone calls
they couldn’t make a receive phone calls
they couldn’t make a receive phone calls for two days so I still get chills over
for two days so I still get chills over
for two days so I still get chills over 10 years after telling that story
10 years after telling that story
10 years after telling that story because it was our first receiving of
because it was our first receiving of
because it was our first receiving of compassion from total strangers hundreds
compassion from total strangers hundreds
compassion from total strangers hundreds have been possibly thousands of them in
have been possibly thousands of them in
have been possibly thousands of them in a very vulnerable situation so we owe it
a very vulnerable situation so we owe it
a very vulnerable situation so we owe it to the people of Shan for inspiring the
to the people of Shan for inspiring the
to the people of Shan for inspiring the police do the first-ever sting operation
police do the first-ever sting operation
police do the first-ever sting operation for a stolen bicycle in the history of
for a stolen bicycle in the history of
for a stolen bicycle in the history of Shannon Police Department they found the
Shannon Police Department they found the
Shannon Police Department they found the bike being sold for $40.00 in the black
bike being sold for $40.00 in the black
bike being sold for $40.00 in the black market
market
market this was garrix first rider who got on
this was garrix first rider who got on
this was garrix first rider who got on the bike a boy who skipped the school
the bike a boy who skipped the school
the bike a boy who skipped the school bus to start heading up to school and so
bus to start heading up to school and so
bus to start heading up to school and so we started making her way into the
we started making her way into the
we started making her way into the Himalayas that was our dream we started
Himalayas that was our dream we started
Himalayas that was our dream we started getting higher and higher the conditions
getting higher and higher the conditions
getting higher and higher the conditions started getting muddy it was monsoon
started getting muddy it was monsoon
started getting muddy it was monsoon season this is what our bikes look like
season this is what our bikes look like
season this is what our bikes look like after a day we our two boys just dis
after a day we our two boys just dis
after a day we our two boys just dis boys loving it in the really tough
boys loving it in the really tough
boys loving it in the really tough conditions the last place you would
conditions the last place you would
conditions the last place you would think to see a blond Slovenian
think to see a blond Slovenian
think to see a blond Slovenian backpacker but somehow we met them and
backpacker but somehow we met them and
backpacker but somehow we met them and they agreed to hop on the bike Ursa came
they agreed to hop on the bike Ursa came
they agreed to hop on the bike Ursa came on garrix by Boyana came on my bike and
on garrix by Boyana came on my bike and
on garrix by Boyana came on my bike and they were ill-prepared for a
they were ill-prepared for a
they were ill-prepared for a high-altitude mountain bike expedition
high-altitude mountain bike expedition
high-altitude mountain bike expedition they didn’t have warm sleeping bags they
they didn’t have warm sleeping bags they
they didn’t have warm sleeping bags they had no sleeping mats that meant no
had no sleeping mats that meant no
had no sleeping mats that meant no camping but we somehow said let’s just
camping but we somehow said let’s just
camping but we somehow said let’s just go up into the mountains and figure it
go up into the mountains and figure it
go up into the mountains and figure it out well everything was fine until this
out well everything was fine until this
out well everything was fine until this happened we couldn’t quite make it over
happened we couldn’t quite make it over
happened we couldn’t quite make it over that road temperatures were dropping
that road temperatures were dropping
that road temperatures were dropping we’re at about 11,000 feet and there was
we’re at about 11,000 feet and there was
we’re at about 11,000 feet and there was no place to stay and there was no option
no place to stay and there was no option
no place to stay and there was no option to camp there they only had option we
to camp there they only had option we
to camp there they only had option we had was this guy’s house named Toshi
had was this guy’s house named Toshi
had was this guy’s house named Toshi Toshi spoke no English and also spoke no
Toshi spoke no English and also spoke no
Toshi spoke no English and also spoke no Chinese which means our Facebook’s would
Chinese which means our Facebook’s would
Chinese which means our Facebook’s would do nothing for us so only we can do was
do nothing for us so only we can do was
do nothing for us so only we can do was what use your my Mac right we’re cold
what use your my Mac right we’re cold
what use your my Mac right we’re cold Toshi you need to sleep we’re gonna die
Toshi you need to sleep we’re gonna die
Toshi you need to sleep we’re gonna die sleep at your house so little by little
sleep at your house so little by little
sleep at your house so little by little Toshi kind of got the picture and you
Toshi kind of got the picture and you
Toshi kind of got the picture and you know through the language barrier
know through the language barrier
know through the language barrier compassion could come through with our
compassion could come through with our
compassion could come through with our state of vulnerability you let us in
state of vulnerability you let us in
state of vulnerability you let us in even though we had these huge spaceship
even though we had these huge spaceship
even though we had these huge spaceship like tandem bikes we had blond selenium
like tandem bikes we had blond selenium
like tandem bikes we had blond selenium backpackers who had tattoos on their
backpackers who had tattoos on their
backpackers who had tattoos on their forehead that we got from the gum
forehead that we got from the gum
forehead that we got from the gum wrapper
wrapper
wrapper the day he lady not only took us in and
the day he lady not only took us in and
the day he lady not only took us in and fed us but he gave us his whole place
fed us but he gave us his whole place
fed us but he gave us his whole place and went and stayed someplace else that
and went and stayed someplace else that
and went and stayed someplace else that continued for 15 days as we went over
continued for 15 days as we went over
continued for 15 days as we went over several 15,000 foot peaks and made our
several 15,000 foot peaks and made our
several 15,000 foot peaks and made our way all the way into Tibet where we
way all the way into Tibet where we
way all the way into Tibet where we continued to pick up all sorts of
continued to pick up all sorts of
continued to pick up all sorts of characters and any time we hit
characters and any time we hit
characters and any time we hit conditions like that that cold wet nasty
conditions like that that cold wet nasty
conditions like that that cold wet nasty people would take us in warm us up give
people would take us in warm us up give
people would take us in warm us up give us yak butter tea and these warm
us yak butter tea and these warm
us yak butter tea and these warm feelings of receiving this compassion
feelings of receiving this compassion
feelings of receiving this compassion that combined with the adrenaline of
that combined with the adrenaline of
that combined with the adrenaline of mountain biking that’s Mount Everest in
mountain biking that’s Mount Everest in
mountain biking that’s Mount Everest in the background living a dream to
the background living a dream to
the background living a dream to mountain bike the Everest region and
mountain bike the Everest region and
mountain bike the Everest region and then going back into that tandem mode to
then going back into that tandem mode to
then going back into that tandem mode to spread these big smiles it was
spread these big smiles it was
spread these big smiles it was absolutely amazing but this was the day
absolutely amazing but this was the day
absolutely amazing but this was the day that changed everything was a day that I
that changed everything was a day that I
that changed everything was a day that I heard these smiles and giggles going on
heard these smiles and giggles going on
heard these smiles and giggles going on and something inside I call it my
and something inside I call it my
and something inside I call it my inspiration of compassion came its
inspiration of compassion came its
inspiration of compassion came its impulse of compassion that came that
impulse of compassion that came that
impulse of compassion that came that said Jamie you have to do something
said Jamie you have to do something
said Jamie you have to do something about you have to bring these smiles to
about you have to bring these smiles to
about you have to bring these smiles to people who really need it
people who really need it
people who really need it so about that time this is about as
so about that time this is about as
so about that time this is about as balanced as my personal and social
balanced as my personal and social
balanced as my personal and social intentions were about that time my
intentions were about that time my
intentions were about that time my personal intentions were really high my
personal intentions were really high my
personal intentions were really high my social tensions that they were rising I
social tensions that they were rising I
social tensions that they were rising I was picking people up but I sided just
was picking people up but I sided just
was picking people up but I sided just shift it just a little bit
shift it just a little bit
shift it just a little bit I had this impulse of compassion and by
I had this impulse of compassion and by
I had this impulse of compassion and by the way you don’t have to ride a bike to
the way you don’t have to ride a bike to
the way you don’t have to ride a bike to Tibet to get impulses of compassion
Tibet to get impulses of compassion
Tibet to get impulses of compassion we’ve all had them in fact according to
we’ve all had them in fact according to
we’ve all had them in fact according to research done by Princeton University
research done by Princeton University
research done by Princeton University were born with the impulse with an
were born with the impulse with an
were born with the impulse with an innate impulse of compassion to help
innate impulse of compassion to help
innate impulse of compassion to help others and so with that impulse of
others and so with that impulse of
others and so with that impulse of compassion I called my mother from Tibet
compassion I called my mother from Tibet
compassion I called my mother from Tibet to California and I said mom I need you
to California and I said mom I need you
to California and I said mom I need you to send over little gifts and clown
to send over little gifts and clown
to send over little gifts and clown noses and teddy bears so we can bring
noses and teddy bears so we can bring
noses and teddy bears so we can bring them out to people in need and so we
them out to people in need and so we
them out to people in need and so we stopped at an orphanage in in Nepal and
stopped at an orphanage in in Nepal and
stopped at an orphanage in in Nepal and we gave all the kids a lot of kids got
we gave all the kids a lot of kids got
we gave all the kids a lot of kids got their first toy they’ve ever had and
their first toy they’ve ever had and
their first toy they’ve ever had and they all got rides on the bike the joy
they all got rides on the bike the joy
they all got rides on the bike the joy of these kids and the gratitude was
of these kids and the gratitude was
of these kids and the gratitude was incredible but what was more profound
incredible but what was more profound
incredible but what was more profound for us was the emotions that we were
for us was the emotions that we were
for us was the emotions that we were experiencing we were had the same kinds
experiencing we were had the same kinds
experiencing we were had the same kinds of high emotions of gratitude and joy
of high emotions of gratitude and joy
of high emotions of gratitude and joy and excitement that we had going over
and excitement that we had going over
and excitement that we had going over big passes in the Himalaya or riding the
big passes in the Himalaya or riding the
big passes in the Himalaya or riding the single tracks of Korea the same kind of
single tracks of Korea the same kind of
single tracks of Korea the same kind of high emotions which also isn’t really a
high emotions which also isn’t really a
high emotions which also isn’t really a surprise because based on other research
surprise because based on other research
surprise because based on other research done at Emory University
done at Emory University
done at Emory University they found that helping people triggers
they found that helping people triggers
they found that helping people triggers the same areas of the brain that get
the same areas of the brain that get
the same areas of the brain that get triggered when you realize personal
triggered when you realize personal
triggered when you realize personal gratification of a personal desire
gratification of a personal desire
gratification of a personal desire so not only rewired to help
so not only rewired to help
so not only rewired to help naturally we’re also wired to feel good
naturally we’re also wired to feel good
naturally we’re also wired to feel good when we do it that’s pretty profound
when we do it that’s pretty profound
when we do it that’s pretty profound stuff there so I put that to the test as
stuff there so I put that to the test as
stuff there so I put that to the test as we gave 120 rides the folks down in down
we gave 120 rides the folks down in down
we gave 120 rides the folks down in down in India you can see the smiles I was
in India you can see the smiles I was
in India you can see the smiles I was just as happy as them or the feeling of
just as happy as them or the feeling of
just as happy as them or the feeling of being in front of a blind person’s first
being in front of a blind person’s first
being in front of a blind person’s first bike ride and listening to the ecstasy
bike ride and listening to the ecstasy
bike ride and listening to the ecstasy and the joy and the giggles as they
and the joy and the giggles as they
and the joy and the giggles as they weave through the streets of Thailand by
weave through the streets of Thailand by
weave through the streets of Thailand by the time I finished the first stage of
the time I finished the first stage of
the time I finished the first stage of the trip of Asia and Oceania I came up
the trip of Asia and Oceania I came up
the trip of Asia and Oceania I came up with the conclusion that I felt way
with the conclusion that I felt way
with the conclusion that I felt way better and the expedition was way bigger
better and the expedition was way bigger
better and the expedition was way bigger the bigger I gave the bigger I felt so
the bigger I gave the bigger I felt so
the bigger I gave the bigger I felt so by the time it was time to plan Africa I
by the time it was time to plan Africa I
by the time it was time to plan Africa I figured it’s time to really lay to level
figured it’s time to really lay to level
figured it’s time to really lay to level that and to push up as high as I could
that and to push up as high as I could
that and to push up as high as I could obviously my personal intent is I love
obviously my personal intent is I love
obviously my personal intent is I love to ride I love to surf I love to dance I
to ride I love to surf I love to dance I
to ride I love to surf I love to dance I love all those things but I wanted to
love all those things but I wanted to
love all those things but I wanted to push up as much as I could that was the
push up as much as I could that was the
push up as much as I could that was the birth of live big epic it became the
birth of live big epic it became the
birth of live big epic it became the philosophy of peace peddlers we made
philosophy of peace peddlers we made
philosophy of peace peddlers we made bracelets we put on our website it
bracelets we put on our website it
bracelets we put on our website it became art what we were looking to do
became art what we were looking to do
became art what we were looking to do kind of this intention and that led to
kind of this intention and that led to
kind of this intention and that led to our first project we called petal proud
our first project we called petal proud
our first project we called petal proud we started on Valentine’s Day we brought
we started on Valentine’s Day we brought
we started on Valentine’s Day we brought the love and sprit gave 100 bikes out to
the love and sprit gave 100 bikes out to
the love and sprit gave 100 bikes out to a Township we brew sold bracelets and
a Township we brew sold bracelets and
a Township we brew sold bracelets and gave 100 bikes out to a Township in
gave 100 bikes out to a Township in
gave 100 bikes out to a Township in kaliesha in South Africa and gave these
kaliesha in South Africa and gave these
kaliesha in South Africa and gave these people the gift of freedom and mobility
people the gift of freedom and mobility
people the gift of freedom and mobility you can see how excited they were that
you can see how excited they were that
you can see how excited they were that we all take for granted here of course
we all take for granted here of course
we all take for granted here of course the people in Africa were just as
the people in Africa were just as
the people in Africa were just as excited to take a ride from a stranger
excited to take a ride from a stranger
excited to take a ride from a stranger American who came out of nowhere and the
American who came out of nowhere and the
American who came out of nowhere and the same compassion and caring came and we
same compassion and caring came and we
same compassion and caring came and we were in the wrong Street at the wrong
were in the wrong Street at the wrong
were in the wrong Street at the wrong time of day and we were in danger people
time of day and we were in danger people
time of day and we were in danger people took us in they fed us with smiles if we
took us in they fed us with smiles if we
took us in they fed us with smiles if we had breakdowns Nathan and others would
had breakdowns Nathan and others would
had breakdowns Nathan and others would come out of the darkness and find a way
come out of the darkness and find a way
come out of the darkness and find a way to keep us rolling again we are lost
to keep us rolling again we are lost
to keep us rolling again we are lost people would take the time to make sure
people would take the time to make sure
people would take the time to make sure we’re going in the right direction and
we’re going in the right direction and
we’re going in the right direction and when I was sick which is what some of
when I was sick which is what some of
when I was sick which is what some of the worst memories of the trip whether
the worst memories of the trip whether
the worst memories of the trip whether it be stomach issues or malaria I had up
it be stomach issues or malaria I had up
it be stomach issues or malaria I had up strangers there holding my hand getting
strangers there holding my hand getting
strangers there holding my hand getting me food and water and making sure I
me food and water and making sure I
me food and water and making sure I didn’t feel so alone so far away from
didn’t feel so alone so far away from
didn’t feel so alone so far away from home so it was this kind of compassion
home so it was this kind of compassion
home so it was this kind of compassion over and over towards me that inspired
over and over towards me that inspired
over and over towards me that inspired my next project which is a little bit
my next project which is a little bit
my next project which is a little bit bigger one called
bigger one called
bigger one called spokes for hope malaria is a huge killer
spokes for hope malaria is a huge killer
spokes for hope malaria is a huge killer in Africa and this inspiration is what I
in Africa and this inspiration is what I
in Africa and this inspiration is what I call the power of compassion made me
call the power of compassion made me
call the power of compassion made me call the Lord one of the largest
call the Lord one of the largest
call the Lord one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world
pharmaceutical companies in the world
pharmaceutical companies in the world Novartis and demand that they send down
Novartis and demand that they send down
Novartis and demand that they send down malaria medication thousands of them
malaria medication thousands of them
malaria medication thousands of them down so I can pedal them through even
down so I can pedal them through even
down so I can pedal them through even though I’m I’m not a 501c3 I’m not a
though I’m I’m not a 501c3 I’m not a
though I’m I’m not a 501c3 I’m not a doctor I’m not I’m not I don’t have a
doctor I’m not I’m not I don’t have a
doctor I’m not I’m not I don’t have a clinic those are all things you’re
clinic those are all things you’re
clinic those are all things you’re supposed to have to get stuff like that
supposed to have to get stuff like that
supposed to have to get stuff like that but they finally broke after out know
but they finally broke after out know
but they finally broke after out know how many dozens of emails and calls and
how many dozens of emails and calls and
how many dozens of emails and calls and sent down this malaria medication so we
sent down this malaria medication so we
sent down this malaria medication so we can save lives like this the most the
can save lives like this the most the
can save lives like this the most the most vulnerable obviously the children
most vulnerable obviously the children
most vulnerable obviously the children and then working with my riders to help
and then working with my riders to help
and then working with my riders to help the elderly as well very rewarding
the elderly as well very rewarding
the elderly as well very rewarding project
project
project I never stopped dancing I didn’t stop
I never stopped dancing I didn’t stop
I never stopped dancing I didn’t stop start a 501 C 3 all right I kept riding
start a 501 C 3 all right I kept riding
start a 501 C 3 all right I kept riding I kept looking for waves down the coast
I kept looking for waves down the coast
I kept looking for waves down the coast of Mozambique and I kept the bike moving
of Mozambique and I kept the bike moving
of Mozambique and I kept the bike moving the main thing I changed was just a
the main thing I changed was just a
the main thing I changed was just a simple person change of perspective I
simple person change of perspective I
simple person change of perspective I put what was called the give big radar
put what was called the give big radar
put what was called the give big radar on right it was an imaginary radar I
on right it was an imaginary radar I
on right it was an imaginary radar I would wake up and I flick it on in my
would wake up and I flick it on in my
would wake up and I flick it on in my head and it was just like literally I
head and it was just like literally I
head and it was just like literally I would see it I just look for
would see it I just look for
would see it I just look for opportunities to give I didn’t know what
opportunities to give I didn’t know what
opportunities to give I didn’t know what it was gonna be but that was part of the
it was gonna be but that was part of the
it was gonna be but that was part of the adventure and that led me to innocent
adventure and that led me to innocent
adventure and that led me to innocent innocent I’d never ridden a bike before
innocent I’d never ridden a bike before
innocent I’d never ridden a bike before and his parents somehow let me take him
and his parents somehow let me take him
and his parents somehow let me take him for a 12 hour ride and on that ride he
for a 12 hour ride and on that ride he
for a 12 hour ride and on that ride he opened up and shared a dream that he had
opened up and shared a dream that he had
opened up and shared a dream that he had to start a school for AIDS orphans and
to start a school for AIDS orphans and
to start a school for AIDS orphans and the needy in Uganda I don’t know how to
the needy in Uganda I don’t know how to
the needy in Uganda I don’t know how to start a school but he became a friend I
start a school but he became a friend I
start a school but he became a friend I said okay do whatever I can at the end
said okay do whatever I can at the end
said okay do whatever I can at the end of our ride I gave him a couple bucks
of our ride I gave him a couple bucks
of our ride I gave him a couple bucks and I said create an email account and
and I said create an email account and
and I said create an email account and send me a picture of what you think the
send me a picture of what you think the
send me a picture of what you think the school would be and I wrote on and I
school would be and I wrote on and I
school would be and I wrote on and I didn’t think he would actually do it but
didn’t think he would actually do it but
didn’t think he would actually do it but a couple days later I received this in
a couple days later I received this in
a couple days later I received this in my inbox I’m like wow this guy’s
my inbox I’m like wow this guy’s
my inbox I’m like wow this guy’s actually thinking about this so I kept
actually thinking about this so I kept
actually thinking about this so I kept giving him up other steps you know just
giving him up other steps you know just
giving him up other steps you know just from my heart bigger and who had figured
from my heart bigger and who had figured
from my heart bigger and who had figured out and I kept riding over to West
out and I kept riding over to West
out and I kept riding over to West Africa making my way to Morocco having
Africa making my way to Morocco having
Africa making my way to Morocco having fun meeting the kids having meals and
fun meeting the kids having meals and
fun meeting the kids having meals and then I would check my inbox and realize
then I would check my inbox and realize
then I would check my inbox and realize he was doing all the steps he found
he was doing all the steps he found
he was doing all the steps he found building supplies materials volunteers
building supplies materials volunteers
building supplies materials volunteers land all donated from the community to
land all donated from the community to
land all donated from the community to start building this school of course I
start building this school of course I
start building this school of course I could just kept writing him I mean right
could just kept writing him I mean right
could just kept writing him I mean right here and on my way ready to cross into
here and on my way ready to cross into
here and on my way ready to cross into Europe I’m in Morocco with Mohammed
Europe I’m in Morocco with Mohammed
Europe I’m in Morocco with Mohammed there and of NCI crossed over into
there and of NCI crossed over into
there and of NCI crossed over into Europe for a 20-6 country tour of Europe
Europe for a 20-6 country tour of Europe
Europe for a 20-6 country tour of Europe here in Switzerland enjoying the
here in Switzerland enjoying the
here in Switzerland enjoying the beautiful sunshine and checking my email
beautiful sunshine and checking my email
beautiful sunshine and checking my email that realized that he indeed kept going
that realized that he indeed kept going
that realized that he indeed kept going he found force first for teachers and I
he found force first for teachers and I
he found force first for teachers and I made my way up to Scandinavia living big
made my way up to Scandinavia living big
made my way up to Scandinavia living big in the summer Scandinavia highly
in the summer Scandinavia highly
in the summer Scandinavia highly recommended up there in the summer and
recommended up there in the summer and
recommended up there in the summer and then checked in to realize that he had
then checked in to realize that he had
then checked in to realize that he had found his first students so it was
found his first students so it was
found his first students so it was absolutely rewarding to have this this
absolutely rewarding to have this this
absolutely rewarding to have this this dance between live big and give ik
dance between live big and give ik
dance between live big and give ik happening
happening
happening and by the time I made it to Brazil and
and by the time I made it to Brazil and
and by the time I made it to Brazil and started riding in Brazil out to be
started riding in Brazil out to be
started riding in Brazil out to be honest I felt a little bit like Forrest
honest I felt a little bit like Forrest
honest I felt a little bit like Forrest Gump I have I started to feel a retired
Gump I have I started to feel a retired
Gump I have I started to feel a retired and want to go home I’m gonna miss my
and want to go home I’m gonna miss my
and want to go home I’m gonna miss my miss my family and the writing was tough
miss my family and the writing was tough
miss my family and the writing was tough there and I said I knew it was a long
there and I said I knew it was a long
there and I said I knew it was a long way home and I really thought about
way home and I really thought about
way home and I really thought about quitting for the first time until I met
quitting for the first time until I met
quitting for the first time until I met this woman right here named Christina
this woman right here named Christina
this woman right here named Christina and she was a little hippie Spanish
and she was a little hippie Spanish
and she was a little hippie Spanish backpacker who I was like wow she’s
backpacker who I was like wow she’s
backpacker who I was like wow she’s really fired up she got on for a 16
really fired up she got on for a 16
really fired up she got on for a 16 kilometer ride and we finished our 16
kilometer ride and we finished our 16
kilometer ride and we finished our 16 kilometers and she just wanted to keep
kilometers and she just wanted to keep
kilometers and she just wanted to keep riding I’m like well let’s keep riding
riding I’m like well let’s keep riding
riding I’m like well let’s keep riding and then she kept riding and she it’s
and then she kept riding and she it’s
and then she kept riding and she it’s decided to get her own bike and together
decided to get her own bike and together
decided to get her own bike and together we went and she became my photographer
we went and she became my photographer
we went and she became my photographer to get up close and personal but these
to get up close and personal but these
to get up close and personal but these experiences I wasn’t able to catch when
experiences I wasn’t able to catch when
experiences I wasn’t able to catch when I was when I was by myself
I was when I was by myself
I was when I was by myself and sadly should after 20 days together
and sadly should after 20 days together
and sadly should after 20 days together crossing the entire country of Paraguay
crossing the entire country of Paraguay
crossing the entire country of Paraguay she only had like I think of like one
she only had like I think of like one
she only had like I think of like one pair of underwear and one pair of shirts
pair of underwear and one pair of shirts
pair of underwear and one pair of shirts that she kept kept extending this trip
that she kept kept extending this trip
that she kept kept extending this trip she had to go back to her backpack I
she had to go back to her backpack I
she had to go back to her backpack I went off to Bolivia the radar seemed to
went off to Bolivia the radar seemed to
went off to Bolivia the radar seemed to pick up this guy right here named named
pick up this guy right here named named
pick up this guy right here named named Bruno Bruno is a water engineer by trade
Bruno Bruno is a water engineer by trade
Bruno Bruno is a water engineer by trade he shared some stories about people who
he shared some stories about people who
he shared some stories about people who communities that get their drinking
communities that get their drinking
communities that get their drinking water from sources like this and they
water from sources like this and they
water from sources like this and they carry those drinking water over to
carry those drinking water over to
carry those drinking water over to storage bins that look like this and
storage bins that look like this and
storage bins that look like this and this situation was causing sickness and
this situation was causing sickness and
this situation was causing sickness and even death in communities that he knew
even death in communities that he knew
even death in communities that he knew of so I said you want to do anything
of so I said you want to do anything
of so I said you want to do anything about this at IKEA yeah so we sat down
about this at IKEA yeah so we sat down
about this at IKEA yeah so we sat down and we created Operation agua wasn’t a
and we created Operation agua wasn’t a
and we created Operation agua wasn’t a 501c3 it was just a website and we just
501c3 it was just a website and we just
501c3 it was just a website and we just made a little bit of a plan and I sent
made a little bit of a plan and I sent
made a little bit of a plan and I sent him off to do his task was to find water
him off to do his task was to find water
him off to do his task was to find water nearby the community make sure it was
nearby the community make sure it was
nearby the community make sure it was clean and it was good to go and then
clean and it was good to go and then
clean and it was good to go and then most importantly find volunteers from
most importantly find volunteers from
most importantly find volunteers from the actual community itself we’re
the actual community itself we’re
the actual community itself we’re willing to get in there and actually dig
willing to get in there and actually dig
willing to get in there and actually dig the trench to get that to get the
the trench to get that to get the
the trench to get that to get the materials in that we would that we would
materials in that we would that we would
materials in that we would that we would eventually get my job was to keep riding
eventually get my job was to keep riding
eventually get my job was to keep riding forward on the cobblestone streets of
forward on the cobblestone streets of
forward on the cobblestone streets of Bolivia really good time but those
Bolivia really good time but those
Bolivia really good time but those cobblestone streets did a number on 40
cobblestone streets did a number on 40
cobblestone streets did a number on 40 on my bike my bike frame broke as I was
on my bike my bike frame broke as I was
on my bike my bike frame broke as I was on my way in Bolivia and I didn’t really
on my way in Bolivia and I didn’t really
on my way in Bolivia and I didn’t really know what I was going to do because it’s
know what I was going to do because it’s
know what I was going to do because it’s made of titanium and you can’t really
made of titanium and you can’t really
made of titanium and you can’t really well titanium in Bolivia certainly not
well titanium in Bolivia certainly not
well titanium in Bolivia certainly not it didn’t have wasn’t able to find any
it didn’t have wasn’t able to find any
it didn’t have wasn’t able to find any luck in Chile either so I knew I was
luck in Chile either so I knew I was
luck in Chile either so I knew I was going to be there I was I sent the bike
going to be there I was I sent the bike
going to be there I was I sent the bike over to the USA for quite a long time at
over to the USA for quite a long time at
over to the USA for quite a long time at least a month
least a month
least a month well I meet this guy here named Chris
well I meet this guy here named Chris
well I meet this guy here named Chris Purcell and Chris says meet Jamie you
Purcell and Chris says meet Jamie you
Purcell and Chris says meet Jamie you know you’ve been given big for a while
know you’ve been given big for a while
know you’ve been given big for a while you how about receiving big that’s
you how about receiving big that’s
you how about receiving big that’s I’m gonna make sure sounds good he said
I’m gonna make sure sounds good he said
I’m gonna make sure sounds good he said you like to ski I said no I don’t like
you like to ski I said no I don’t like
you like to ski I said no I don’t like to ski I love to ski
to ski I love to ski
to ski I love to ski so I said how about going up to my
so I said how about going up to my
so I said how about going up to my family’s resort up in Portillo I’ll put
family’s resort up in Portillo I’ll put
family’s resort up in Portillo I’ll put you up in a hotel and you can ski for
you up in a hotel and you can ski for
you up in a hotel and you can ski for three weeks and eat eat all the food you
three weeks and eat eat all the food you
three weeks and eat eat all the food you want and drink the Chilean wine
want and drink the Chilean wine
want and drink the Chilean wine receiving big was pretty nice the bike
receiving big was pretty nice the bike
receiving big was pretty nice the bike finally made it back and not only to
finally made it back and not only to
finally made it back and not only to make it back the receiving big followed
make it back the receiving big followed
make it back the receiving big followed us because we got a free bike for
us because we got a free bike for
us because we got a free bike for Christina to come back on the journey
Christina to come back on the journey
Christina to come back on the journey with free pioneers and everything kind
with free pioneers and everything kind
with free pioneers and everything kind of just came our way as we made through
of just came our way as we made through
of just came our way as we made through all the way up into Peru here she
all the way up into Peru here she
all the way up into Peru here she continued her beautiful photography and
continued her beautiful photography and
continued her beautiful photography and capturing these lovely moments of
capturing these lovely moments of
capturing these lovely moments of connection we got an opportunity to meet
connection we got an opportunity to meet
connection we got an opportunity to meet the future president of Ecuador Pedro
the future president of Ecuador Pedro
the future president of Ecuador Pedro Pablo here on his way home from school
Pablo here on his way home from school
Pablo here on his way home from school and by the time he made it to Colombia
and by the time he made it to Colombia
and by the time he made it to Colombia Christina and I had something very
Christina and I had something very
Christina and I had something very special brewing between us and about
special brewing between us and about
special brewing between us and about nine months later that something special
nine months later that something special
nine months later that something special was born in in in Barcelona and and just
was born in in in Barcelona and and just
was born in in in Barcelona and and just two months after that Christina joined
two months after that Christina joined
two months after that Christina joined me and baby Luca join me to finish the
me and baby Luca join me to finish the
me and baby Luca join me to finish the expedition over the Golden Gate Bridge
expedition over the Golden Gate Bridge
expedition over the Golden Gate Bridge where we started eight and a half years
where we started eight and a half years
where we started eight and a half years before and we finished the expedition
before and we finished the expedition
before and we finished the expedition together and together we started working
together and together we started working
together and together we started working to to fill fulfill our part of the deal
to to fill fulfill our part of the deal
to to fill fulfill our part of the deal with the the water program and getting
with the the water program and getting
with the the water program and getting the material sent over there so they can
the material sent over there so they can
the material sent over there so they can get the water we did decide to get
get the water we did decide to get
get the water we did decide to get married
married
married I miss married in Barcelona in
I miss married in Barcelona in
I miss married in Barcelona in California and that was fun and then I’m
California and that was fun and then I’m
California and that was fun and then I’m happy to say that we’re still working
happy to say that we’re still working
happy to say that we’re still working with innocent in the good hope school
with innocent in the good hope school
with innocent in the good hope school they have 185 students going to school
they have 185 students going to school
they have 185 students going to school so we continue to still work with them
so we continue to still work with them
so we continue to still work with them so that is live big get big and you just
so that is live big get big and you just
so that is live big get big and you just went around the world so glad you like
went around the world so glad you like
went around the world so glad you like it
it’s all closed what I see happening
it’s all closed what I see happening right now in humankind is as humankind
right now in humankind is as humankind
right now in humankind is as humankind is raising the bar in every area of
is raising the bar in every area of
is raising the bar in every area of human achievement right now sports
human achievement right now sports
human achievement right now sports science technology are accelerating at
science technology are accelerating at
science technology are accelerating at these incredible rates but I think it’s
these incredible rates but I think it’s
these incredible rates but I think it’s time that we raise the bar not only what
time that we raise the bar not only what
time that we raise the bar not only what we can do for ourselves but what we can
we can do for ourselves but what we can
we can do for ourselves but what we can contribute to those and in the lives of
contribute to those and in the lives of
contribute to those and in the lives of those who need our support and we can do
those who need our support and we can do
those who need our support and we can do this by each of us just making a little
this by each of us just making a little
this by each of us just making a little bit more room for compassion to enter
bit more room for compassion to enter
bit more room for compassion to enter into our busy lives and if we do that
into our busy lives and if we do that
into our busy lives and if we do that we’ll be able to tap into this power of
we’ll be able to tap into this power of
we’ll be able to tap into this power of compassion that’s indisputable power of
compassion that’s indisputable power of
compassion that’s indisputable power of compassion that I just demonstrated that
compassion that I just demonstrated that
compassion that I just demonstrated that will help to amplify every area of your
will help to amplify every area of your
will help to amplify every area of your life and to all the parents that are out
life and to all the parents that are out
life and to all the parents that are out there I think we should do this for our
there I think we should do this for our
there I think we should do this for our children and for the future generations
children and for the future generations
children and for the future generations there was a landmark study done on
there was a landmark study done on
there was a landmark study done on altruism where they studied the the the
altruism where they studied the the the
altruism where they studied the the the Germans who saved the Jews during the
Germans who saved the Jews during the
Germans who saved the Jews during the Nazi Holocaust what they found was that
Nazi Holocaust what they found was that
Nazi Holocaust what they found was that the biggest predictor of that
the biggest predictor of that
the biggest predictor of that inspirational behavior was the memories
inspirational behavior was the memories
inspirational behavior was the memories these individuals had of growing up in
these individuals had of growing up in
these individuals had of growing up in families that prioritized altruism and
families that prioritized altruism and
families that prioritized altruism and compassion so you don’t need to start a
compassion so you don’t need to start a
compassion so you don’t need to start a 501c bunch of bureaucratic charities you
501c bunch of bureaucratic charities you
501c bunch of bureaucratic charities you don’t need to give up on our dreams and
don’t need to give up on our dreams and
don’t need to give up on our dreams and our own personal passions we just need
our own personal passions we just need
our own personal passions we just need to look to raise the bar to set a higher
to look to raise the bar to set a higher
to look to raise the bar to set a higher example for our children and give them
example for our children and give them
example for our children and give them the opportunity to have the same
the opportunity to have the same
the opportunity to have the same experience that I just shared the actual
experience that I just shared the actual
experience that I just shared the actual physical experiences of living big and
physical experiences of living big and
physical experiences of living big and giving big so they can have the
giving big so they can have the
giving big so they can have the knowledge that it’s not only possible
knowledge that it’s not only possible
knowledge that it’s not only possible but fulfilling if we do that I believe
but fulfilling if we do that I believe
but fulfilling if we do that I believe we can change the world thank you
we can change the world thank you
we can change the world thank you [Applause]
”
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