Category Archives: Bold Actions

50 Years After Sparking a Revolution, an Icon Runs Boston Again

Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon with a bib number, paved the way for women in running. Click here to read about the historic run and learn how she combines sports and advocacy.

7 Things Really Bold People Do

What kind of person takes bold actions? Here are some key characteristics of people who dive right in and make their dreams reality.

Crossing the Ocean Blue

The great explorer Christopher Columbus left Spain in 1492 on a voyage of exploration. The 3 ships he set off with were believed to be “technology that was far ahead of its time”. Think of this connection and about why this article appears on The American Society of Mechanical Engineers website.

Are polar bear plunges good for you?

Taking a dip into the icy sea on New Year’s Day has become quite a worldwide tradition. But, doctors advise that taking the plunge is literally not for the faint-hearted!

A 13-year-old eagle huntress in Mongolia

Using golden eagles to hunt is an ancient tradition in the Altai mountains of Mongolia. Meet Ashol-Pan, who might be the only girl learning this challenging skill.

Dashrath Manjhi Road

Dashrath Manjhi, also known as “Mountain Man” spent 22 years carving a road through a mountain with hammer and chisel in Bihar, India. Read about what drove him to do this painstaking work and the long lasting impact it had on the people of his village.

The Early History of Bungee Jumping

Why has jumping from a 364ft bridge become a popular outdoor pursuit? Who came up with the idea in the first place?

Should parents let their kids take more risks?

It’s easy to criticize parents who allow a teenager to attempt to sail around the world alone. But how safe is too safe when it comes to parenting?

The Evolution of the Charity Run/Walk and the Road Ahead

Have you ever participated in a family fun run or charity walk? Today, the 5K run or walk is a pretty commonplace event around the world and all through the year. Where did the idea of running to raise funds begin and why are people drawn to this activity?

A Privileged Walk

Maricruz Mosqueda–born in Mexico but a native of Colorado–takes on a solo hike through the Pacific Coast Trail in the hope of inspiring, in particular, young immigrants like herself to experience the mental and physical benefits of the great outdoors.

Erik Weihenmayer shows once again that barriers can be broken with ambition

Not content with conquering Everest, and competing in the Expedition Impossible race, blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer decided to paddle 277 miles through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River. Read about this extraordinary undertaking here.

Behind the Scenes of ‘Maidentrip’

This is a story about a young, adventurous teenage girl’s determination and passion to sail solo around the world despite the obstacles in her way.

Navigating Without the Crutch of Technology

You are lost! How do you find your way? Reach for your cellphone and turn on GPS! John Huth, author of The Lost Art of Finding Our Way thinks we should allow ourselves to get lost once in a while to create a better connection with our environment. Click on the link within this article to watch a video clip of John Huth’s view on navigation without maps.

Book Excerpt from The Mountain: My Time on Everest

Ed Viesturs is an American high-altitude mountaineer who rose to the challenge of climbing over 8,000 meters (26,246 feet) on Mount Everest in 1987 at 27 years old. 18 years later he was recognized as the first American to climb all fourteen peaks in the world higher than 8,000 meters.

The Red Tail Squadron: Honoring Tuskegee Airmen

The history of flight is full of bold actions taken by courageous people. Explore this site to learn about the Tuskegee Airmen, America’s first black military pilots and crew.

The road to ruin: are ultra-endurance events worth the risk?

Ultra-endurance involves taking part in physical events, such as running, swimming, or cycling, that last for over 6 hours. It takes strong mental focus to last the pace, but what are the effects of endurance training on the participant’s health?

Women Explorers

This is a great visual timeline of famous women explorers who made their mark in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Meet Simon Wheatcroft, the blind ultramarathon runner

Simon Wheatcroft didn’t let a degenerative eye disease get in the way of achieving what seemed to others like an impossible endurance task of running a 100-mile race!