Run Joe, run! Six marathons in six days
Gagnon's message to youth is to apply techniques for mental toughness, creative problem solving, leadership and personal effectiveness.
KEMPTON Park also got the chance to be a part of the global ‘Six Continents in Six Days’ motivational challenge last week.
Joe Gagnon, vice president of US company Aspect, on Wednesday last week landed at the OR Tambo Airport for his South African leg of the challenge, which saw him run marathons on six continents over six consecutive days.
Wednesday was the 56-year-old’s third marathon destination after he started the journey on April 10 in Sydney, Australia, then travelled to Singapore the next day. He continued on to London, Sao Paolo, and finally finished off in Los Angeles, USA on April 15, where he ran the sixth and final marathon.
He was hosted by Ninzi-Connect Software, the South African partner to the US-based Aspect.
The global campaign by the businessman, motivational speaker and blogger is aimed at spreading awareness on one of his greatest passions – youth empowerment and education.
His blog, called the ‘High-Performance Life’, brings together the elements of how to improve performance across life, learning and fitness.
Speaking to young boys and girls from Cornwall Hill College before starting his 42.2km marathon around the Serengeti Estate, he said he wanted to teach kids to take all they learn in school and apply it practically in their everyday lives.
He also spoke to them about the importance of perseverance, telling them they can achieve anything they put their minds to.
“My core message is that we can do so much more than we think we can. We are the biggest constraints in our own lives.”
Gagnon’s message to youth around the world is to apply techniques for mental toughness, creative problem solving, leadership and personal effectiveness. He aims to establish a connection with students in each of the six locations.
At the end of his talk, Gagnon gave the audience a chance to ask him some questions – and the learners had plenty to ask.
They wanted to know what keeps him motivated, the details of his daily diet and the idea behind the campaign, among many other things.
After the talk Gagnon, joined by a few local runners, began the journey around the course. To kick-start the exciting run, the learners cheered him on at the start, chanting, “Run Joe Run!”
Martin Haines, Managing Director of Ninzi-Connect, said the company fully supports the motivation behind Gagnon’s incredible challenge, especially in light of the youthful composition of South Africa’s population and workforce, and the desperate need for education and training at all levels in South Africa.
“We wish Joe all the best and especially back him in his message of youth empowerment. We know South African business is fully behind him,” Haines said.
Ninzi-Connect is a telecommunications and customer engagement solutions company that provides contact centre management solutions. It is the South African partner to the American-based Aspect, which is the world’s largest company solely focused on outbound diallers and contact centres.
