My days of excessive rowing may be over, but, fear not, still busy as ever with speaking, events, and dare I admit – a job! Here is the latest:
Selecting water projects
Together, after raising over $100,000 for the Blue Planet Network (recently changed names from Blue Planet Run to Blue Planet Network), it’s now that time – selecting projects. With the Blue Planet Network’s “Peer Water Exchange” I have the opportunity to designate those funds to specific projects and communities. Last fall, two projects in Haiti were funded, and the remaining $90,000 is likely going to fund projects in Nicaragua, Guatemala, India, Cambodia, and Uganda. Wherever the projects are, I think it will be a perfect excuse to map out my next big adventure. Stay tuned!
Lights, Camera, Action!
Early on in the summer, I received an email from an ad agency in LA to pique my interest in a new advertising campaign called “The World Needs More Winners” for the Game Show Network. The productions team of 15 was flying around the country for their six commercial spots and they happened to be filming the World Champ of Rock, Paper, Scissors in Detroit. Within 48 hours of receiving that email, I was in Detroit filming for my commercial with the team. Everyone on the productions team had interesting stories from past lives as submarine pilots to back-up dancers and everything in between. There was even one person on set who was solely responsible for the clapperboard (that black and white board with two sticks hinged together).
Since it was all very last minute, we struggled to find a location and when we did, we were asked by the authorities to stop! They eventually got what they needed after six hours of filming for a thirty-second clip. The commercial will air next month and I’m anxious to see which parts they end up using. They had a script for me which included a segment of me kissing my “mini-wilson” tennis ball. I’m might regretting that one if it ends up on national TV!
Cough drops, please
Lots of speaking engagements and especially excited for one this Friday at the United Nations for an Annual Youth Assembly with over 700 youth leaders from around the globe. If I’m really lucky, I might get to meet Angelina Jolie!!
Finally have a short video with my first talk post-row in April at the Welcome Event. If you’d like to see the talk in person, here’s a list of the upcoming ones too:
Upcoming talks and events:
August 6 – Annual Youth Assembly at the United Nations in New York City
August 21 –Crocker Park Green Week in Westlake, Ohio
September 10-12 – Lake Erie Boat Week in Huron, Ohio Event canceled!
September 26 –Wellness Weekend for Lake Health in Cleveland, Ohio
October 7 – Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District in Brecksville, Ohio
October 11-12 – Women’s Sports Foundation in New York City
October 22 – Year of Water Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio
October 23 – Bowl for Water event with Rotary Club of Solon
October 29 – Evening talk at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
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Special guest at a Cleveland Cavaliers basketball game. I may have missed celebrating Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, and St. Patrick’s Day in Cleveland, but this one night made up for it all. The Cavaliers were participating in “NBA Green Week” in early April and I was invited to be recognized before tip-off in front of the 20,000+ cheering Cavs fans. Little did I know they would present me with an incredible surprise – my very own jersey. Number 70 for my 70 days at sea. I wonder if they’ll notice if I run on court at their next game wearing it! As I was walking off court, I even heard one of the Cavs players shouting “Go, Katie, go”. Well, hello Lebron!
Appearance at Beachwood High School’s “The Green Dream”. Last year, I gave a talk to a class at Beachwood High School about the challenge and goal setting. The seniors hosted an annual event with eighty eco-friendly business and I set up a booth with my rowboat outside for attendees to check out. The students generously presented me and Jin Zidell, the Blue Planet Run Founder, a check for $2,000 for safe drinking water projects. That’s enough to help 70 people gain access to safe water for life!
