I am participating in an event (more on the event later) to support a program that is educating and empowering women of the Amazon Rainforest to become leaders in their communities, their countries, and our world to protect themselves, their families, and our home: The Amazon Rainforest. This program is called the “Ikiama Nukuri” (Achuar for Women Guardians of the Jungle), and it was created by the women of the Amazon with support from the Pachamama Alliance, an organization I’ve been involved with for about 10 years. To hear from the women of the Ikiama Nukuri Program, go to: vimeo.com/327129968
To support the Ikiama Nukuri Program, in September, I will join nineteen other athletes from the North to compete with the Achuar men of the Amazon in their first “Arutam Amazon Race” (“Arutam” mean Spirit of the Jungle) hosted by the Pachamama Alliance. The race involves kayaking 20 kilometers down the Pastaza River in Ecuador, trekking 22-kilometers in the raw Amazon Jungle, orienteering competition, shooting blow-darts, and a number of other challenges created by the Achuar communities. A race of this sort has never been done before. At its core is bridging the wisdom of our two worldviews to bring forth a just and thriving world for all.
Here are four ways you can join me on this journey in support of this endeavor:
1. Send me positive energy, messages, and encouragement. …I’m going to need it. 
2. Pass this note along to your friends and family who might be inspired to support Ikiama Nukuri.
3. Pass this information to any athletes you know who might be interested in participating on September 21 - 27, 2022. Registration just opened, and there are about 12-spaces remaining.
LINK TO REGISTRATION.
4. Contribute to the Ikiama Nukuri Program on my Pachamama Alliance personal page LINK. donor.pachamama.org/-/NBPZHGFV
Your entire contribution goes to the Ikiama Nukuri Program - empowerment of Women Leaders in the Amazon. Your tax-deductible contribution goes directly to the Pachamama Alliance, a 501(c)(3) organization. (Tax ID: 94-2443282) None of your contributions are used to fund the Athletes; we are paying all our own expenses.