Jason Lewis set off from Greenwich, London, in July 1994 on a mission to circumnavigate the globe using only human power. Thirteen years later, he has completed his journey using bicycles, in-line skates, kayaks, swimming, rowing, walking and a unique pedal-powered boat to travel more than 45,000 miles across five continents, two oceans and one sea.

His historical adventure is known as Expedition 360 and followed a five-pointed mission:

• To circle the world by means of human power alone.

• To use the adventure as a classroom learning tool.

• To encourage world citizenship between cultures.

• To promote environmental responsibility.

• To live fully and enjoy the experience.

Sounds like a fun and rewarding journey—but it wasn't all enjoyable. The expedition was expected to last only 3.5 years. Lewis broke both legs, narrowly avoided an amputation, spent six weeks in hospital and nine months in recovery before continuing his record-setting skate across America. Another major setback occurred when he was arrested by Egyptian authorities who thought he was a spy. His trip was also interrupted for weeks at a time as Lewis and his team of supporters worked to raise money to continue. Odd jobs along the way included work on a cattle ranch in America and at a funeral home in Australia.

After Lewis takes some time to rest, he plans to start a career organizing "mini expeditions" for young people and giving talks about climate change. I'm not sure how much rest is needed after a 13-year, 45,000 mile trip—but he definitely deserves it.

Don’t be surprised if you see skiers and snowboarders wearing pink tickets on the slopes this year. Mountain High, Southern California’s closest winter resort, has teamed up with Revlon to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. This season, guests at the resort will have the option to upgrade their normal lift tickets to a customized “Pink Ticket” for just $1 more.  Mountain High will match every dollar and the proceeds will go to the Revlon Run/Walk for women, one of the largest events for cancer research. Mountain High hopes to raise over $100,000 this season for the cause and has added a pink terrain on the mountain to further promote and raise awareness for the cause.

It’s really great to see two different sports—skiing and running--come together for one great cause. I’m definitely going to head up to Mountain High for a “Pink Ticket” this winter. 

Here are some links for more information:

Revlon Run/Walk

Mountain High Resort

Hey everyone, Trish and Toby here. We’re firm believers that the active lifestyle involves more than just being physically active--it’s about being intellectually and socially active too. We compiled a list of 10 tips for being active in all areas of life. Because no matter what stage of life you are in, you should always strive to be the best version of yourself.

1. Maintain a positive mental outlook. There's a clear connection between living well and having a cheerful outlook on life. Research has found that people who think positively about life live an average of seven and a half years longer than negative thinkers.  

2. Avoid processed food. Eating processed, boxed, canned and frozen meals guarantee that you are eating unnecessary chemicals, sodium, sugar and fat. Eat fresh, natural food and eliminate trans fat from your diet.

3. Reduce stress. We're so focused on being go-getters that we often forget to de-stress. Spend 30 minutes a day doing something you like--walk on the beach or in a park, read a book, visit a friend, play with your dog, listen to soothing music or watch a funny movie. Don't forget to take some time to focus on clearing your thoughts and giving your mind, body and spirit a chance to rejuvenate.

4. Invest in a quality pair of shoes and socks. Visit a specialty store that understands that every foot and foot strike is unique. When your feet are happy, so are you. Comfortable, supportive and well-fitting shoes and synthetic socks are worth the investment of time and money.

5. Socialize. Having a social network is important to the body, mind and spirit. People who are socially active tend to be healthier, happier and less likely to become depressed. To stay socially active, make a point of getting out of the house. Make plans with your friends to go out to lunch or better yet, make plans to exercise regularly with a friend or group of friends. Exercising with others is usually more fun than exercising on your own--and it can help you stick with your exercise program. Try joining our online community today!

6. Exercise your brain. The key to keeping your memory sharp is continuing to challenge it. Having a book on hand and discussing what you’ve read with friends or a book club is one way to keep your brain in good shape. Crosswords, Sudoku and puzzles are also excellent ways to keep your brain agile. There is always more learning to do. Find out what works for you.

7. Volunteer. Donating your time at an aid station during a race or soup kitchen over the holidays, puts life into perspective. Be thankful for all you have and give to others who are less fortunate.

8. Omit high fructose corn syrup from your diet. Widespread use of this highly modified sweetener is making us and our children unhealthy. High fructose corn syrup bypasses the digestive process and goes straight to the liver, where it gets turned into fat. Combined with the typical American high-fat diet, the result is increased danger of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Try using honey as sweetener instead. As an added bonus, ingesting locally grown honey before allergy season helps your body acclimate to some pollen levels in advance.

9. Maintain close relationships. Make a point to strengthen ties with your family, friends and loved ones. Volunteer work, religious ties, even petsanything that keeps you involved with othersreduces stress and enhances health. Having a strong network of family and friends and a broad range of activities will support your health.

10. Give yoga a try. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes when your body is limber and flexible. Plus, yoga reduces the chances of injury. Try a beginning yoga class to enjoy the wide range of benefits--your mind and body will both thank you.

Comments are encouraged--please share your tips for staying healthy and active with the rest of us.