Ninzi Connect brings the Six Continent in Six Days Charity Challenge to Johannesburg
Johannesburg is one of six continental locations where renowned US businessman, motivational speaker and blogger Joe Gagnon is due to run a marathon for charity. As part of his challenge, he will run six marathons on six continents, in six consecutive days on behalf of the youth and their education.
The ‘Six Continents in Six Days’ marathon is set to kick off on the 10th of April in Sydney, Australia. Gagnon will land at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg on 12 April, where he will then be transported to Serengeti Golf and Lifestyle Estate to run his African leg of the challenge. Before he sets off, Gagnon will address the matriculants of Cornwall Hill College some of the Estate’s teens and inculcate life skills beyond the classroom.
Gagnon is a senior vice president in charge of Customer Experience at US company Aspect Software. He will be hosted by Aspects’ local partner Ninzi-Connect, a telecommunications and customer engagement solutions company that provides contact centre management solutions.
Martin Haines the Managing Director of Ninzi Connect explains that “Joe is a serious endurance athlete, having completed five Ironman triathlons and numerous other endurance events. He is also an avid blogger who supports various charitable activities through his blog: ‘The High-Performance Life’. The purpose of this unique challenge is to partner with schools on each continent to extend his message of youth empowerment across the world.” Gagnon aims to establish a connection with students in each location so that youth across the world can hear his message and embrace the idea that everyone can do more than they think they can.
Joe’s tight schedule requires some red-eye flights and intense planning. The marathon starts in Sydney. He then travels to Singapore, Johannesburg, London, Sao Paolo and finally ends off in Los Angeles on the 15th of April, where he will run the sixth and final marathon for youth education and empowerment.
Despite his more than 30 years in business strategy and technology, Gagnon’s first love has long been youth, stemming from his prior experience as President and COO of Pennforster, one of the largest online schools in the US providing 150,000 students education.
Gagnon’s blog brings together elements of how to improve performance across Life, Learning and Fitness. “Joe believes that by applying techniques for mental toughness, creative problem solving, leadership and personal effectiveness, we are capable of living a ‘High-Performance Life’ where body, mind and soul come together for a fulfilled life,” concludes Haines.
