Mario Rigby facts for kids
Mario Rigby is a Canadian and Turks and Caicos Islander adventure explorer, author, and speaker. He used to be a professional track and field athlete. Mario is currently based in Toronto, Ontario. From 2015 to 2017, he completed an amazing two-year journey. He walked across the entire continent of Africa, from Cape Town to Cairo. This incredible trip was called Crossing Africa.
Mario believes it's important for everyone to enjoy the outdoors. He especially encourages people of color to explore nature more often. Between his big adventures, Mario leads hikes, small expeditions, and gives talks to inspire others.
Contents
Early Life and Athletics
Mario Rigby was born on November 24, 1985, in Grand Turk Island, which is part of the Turks and Caicos Islands. His mother is Zemar Stingl. Mario is the older of two sons. His family has roots in Jamaica and the Bahamas.
After his brother was born, Mario's family moved to Stuttgart, Germany. They lived there for several years before returning to the Caribbean. Their first move to Canada was to Hamilton, Ontario. Mario was a competitive track and field athlete for the Turks and Caicos Islands from age 14 to 26. He competed in many world championships and major athletic tournaments.
After finishing high school in Hamilton, Mario moved to London, ON when he was 18. He attended Western University. Later, he moved to Toronto. There, he became a fitness trainer and even ran his own gym in downtown Toronto.
Amazing Adventures
Walking Across Africa
In early 2015, Mario Rigby decided he wanted to "shatter stereotypes." This meant he wanted to break down ideas that limit what people think he can do or where he can go. He started researching and training for a huge two-year walk across Africa.
Mario began his training slowly. First, he walked short distances around Toronto. Once those felt easy, he walked longer and longer. He even walked from Toronto to Hamilton, and then from Toronto to Montreal!
By November 2015, he flew to Cape Town, South Africa. His journey took him through many countries. These included South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt. He walked most of the way. But he also kayaked through Lake Malawi, which is one of the largest and deepest lakes in Africa.
Mario finished his incredible adventure in early 2018. He returned to Toronto in March 2018. His Crossing Africa expedition became famous worldwide. Many newspapers and TV shows featured his story. He was interviewed on popular Canadian TV shows like The Marilyn Denis Show and CTV National News.
Cycling Across Canada
Mario also completed a solo cycling trip across Canada and the United States. He started in Victoria, British Columbia, and ended in St. John's, Newfoundland. This tour began on July 19 and finished on October 18. Even though it was different from his Africa walk, it was still a big challenge!
Mario trained all year for this trip. He even joined charity bike tours to get more experience. He shared his route live online so people could follow his journey.
MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) is a company that saw how important it was to show diversity in outdoor activities. They partnered with Mario to help him make this cycling tour happen.
Why Mario Did This Trip
- To show that people from all backgrounds can enjoy the outdoors.
- To inspire others to go on their own adventures and explore nature.
- To promote human-powered travel, like cycling. This helps reduce pollution and encourages a sustainable way of living.
Toronto to Montreal Training Walk
In July 2015, Mario Rigby walked 60 kilometers from Toronto to Hamilton. This was part of his training for the big walk across Africa. His friend, Donna Foster-Larocque, suggested this journey. She wanted Mario to be ready for his quest to cross Africa by foot, sail, and paddle.
The training walk involved carrying everything they would need. This included backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, and cooking gear. It was a way to practice for the challenges of the Africa trip.
Mario walked about 500 kilometers from the CN Tower in Toronto to Mount Royal in Montreal. This long walk helped him get ready both physically and mentally for the 10,000-kilometer trek across Africa.
Documentaries
Turks & Caicos Adventures
In 2020, Mario returned to his home in the Turks and Caicos Islands. He filmed new adventures there. He shared amazing and exciting local trips with readers and followers of Turks & Caicos Magazine.
This series explored the history, culture, and natural wonders of the islands. Mario showed the diverse beauty of his homeland through his eyes as an adventurer. He revisited his favorite spots and explored new places. He showed the historical importance of sites and shared stories about the islands' rich culture.
Recognition
MIPAD Award In 2018, Mario Rigby was chosen as one of 200 nominees for the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) global 100 list. This award recognizes the positive things people of African descent do around the world. Mario was honored for his contributions.
The Explorer's Club In 2020, The Explorer's Club welcomed Mario Rigby as a member. This is a special club for explorers and adventurers.
Toronto Star Feature The Toronto Star newspaper published a big article about Mario. It was titled "He wanted young black people to be brave so he walked and kayaked across Africa for two years." This article told the story of the many adventures Mario had during his two-and-a-half-year walk across Africa.
Talks
Mario has given many talks at schools and organizations around the world. He encourages people to overcome their fears and achieve their goals. He also cares deeply about the environment. Mario teaches about the importance of protecting our planet. He reminds us that each person has a role in helping humanity and nature connect.
See also
Mario Rigby currently lives in Toronto. He is writing a book about his Crossing Africa journey. He is also getting ready for his next big expeditions!
