The Adventure Project

Each week we highlight a different member of our community who inspires us. This week we’re showcasing: Shannon Stone!

Current City (or where you’re from): Scotch Plains, NJ

Tell us about you in 140 characters
I am a passionate person who loves simplicity, peace, and adventure. I love to teach, run and try to make the world a little brighter. :)

Your blog or website: https://myultrarunningjourney.wordpress.com/

Why did you decide to join The Tribe?
I joined the Tribe because I believe in the passion and spirit behind The Adventure Project. I met Becky at another non-profit and was drawn to her compassion and her desire to make the world a better place. I have seen the importance of doing good, but more so, the importance of sustainability! The Adventure Project is working to make sustainable changes, rather than put a band-aid on a problem.

As a teacher, I hope to teach my students about the world: its problems and its beauty. I try to engage my students and help them to see the importance of giving back. I want them to focus on their own unique gifts and talents and know that they can use these to help make a difference. We are happy to support TAP in any way we can. I truly believe that the work The Adventure Project is doing will change many lives and I am proud to be a part of this adventure.

What’s a favorite book you couldn’t put down:
Every book I read speaks to me in some way. Two that come to mind are The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and Wild by Cheryl Strayed. But my favorite is the one my mom used to read to me: Play with Me. A simple story about the importance of ‘being still’.

What’s your theme song?
I am not sure about a theme song, but I love the simplicity of Fleet Foxes and the free-spirit of Phoenix.

What’s your favorite piece of advice someone gave you:
“Trust that you are exactly where you are supposed to be.” There is no ‘what if’, only ‘what is’. Too many of us live in the past or the future, and in doing so we live either in regret or fear. All we have is this present moment and we must embrace it for what it is.

Joy can be found in everything if you choose to seek it. Too many people let themselves become victims and stare at the doors closed instead of finding the opportunities in their trials. There is no ‘good’ or ‘bad’, only what is. And everything in life can be good if we allow ourselves to learn the lessons that our trials teach us and seek out the opportunities because of these lessons. We must TRUST that everything in life is working to make us a better person and that God has a perfect plan for us all. The key is to let HIS plan patiently unfold and enjoy the journey, moment by moment. Because joy is found in the journey when you trust that you are exactly where you are supposed to be.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done:
I’ve always lived my life in two extremes. One being my love of security and familiarity, my other being my desire for adventure and change. So, while these two things may seem like complete opposites, they allow me to live my life in a way that finds balance by living in the extremes. Things that may seem adventurous to others just seem ‘normal’ to me. They have been things my spirit NEEDED to do and did without really thinking too much about the outcome.

I picked up and decided to move cross-country at age 21, and then two years later decided to go live in France and teach English. I love to travel and volunteer and have spent time in Senegal, Haiti and Sri Lanka. A few years ago i quit my job and left for Ecuador where I traveled alone, hiking in the back country and mountains, getting lost, falling down cliffs, and loving the freedom of it all. I then left for Nicaragua to teach English before coming back to the US to return to teaching, using my experiences to inspire my students. All the whilst running…and running…and running… Finding joy in Ultramarathons: 32 miles, 50 miles, 70 miles….working my way up to 100. :)

What are you most passionate about:
Peace. Finding it. Giving it. Inspiring others to live it and feel it and strive for it. Everything i do has, at the core of it, its roots in peace. When i teach my students i strive to teach them lessons that will allow them to find their own peace.

When I run, I do so knowing that i will find peace amongst nature. When I travel, I seek out environments that will speak peace into my soul and change me from the inside outside out. All I do is hopefully leading me to a deeper place of true peace. And when you have peaceful individuals you have a peaceful world. That is why i truly believe that before we can change the world for the better, we must first work on changing ourselves for the better.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?
1. Switzerland, to run the 103-mile Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc.
2. Bhutan, to explore thier idea of “gross nationl happiness” and discover the beauty of the country and the people.

Each week we highlight a different member of our community who inspires us. This week we’re showcasing: Chrissy Plunkett!

Twitter: ChrisNoelle_
Blog or Website: http://chrissynoelle.wordpress.com
Current city or where you’re from: Lakeland, FL
Tell us about you in 140 characters: Married to Shawn {hunkiest man alive} for 17 years, mom of 2 girls {13, 10} & 1 boy {3}. Software/social media maven, marriage lover, and chocoholic.

Why did you decide to join The Tribe? I love being a part of something bigger than myself; I saw an opportunity for me to be used for a great purpose and to support empowerment projects through The Adventure Project. I may not have as much time as I’d like to put into the Tribe, but my prayers ad talents are available when needed. I am thankful for the opportunity.

What’s a favorite book you couldn’t put down? Besides Twilight? Lord of the Rings and The Hunger Games.

What’s your theme song?  Free To Be Me – Francesca Battistelli or Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5.

What’s your favorite piece of advice someone gave you? “Always do MORE than is required.” – Mom

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? Dated 2 guys in the Mafia, then moved away from home and joined a cult. Then left all of them (not at the same time, and not necessarily in that order)! It is definitely a tie.

What are you most passionate about? After working in the Beauty industry for 20 years, I retired to stay home more often with my children, who are my first passion of course. I am passionate about marriage. I anonymously run a popular Christian marriage blog and really have a heart for women’s sexual health. My husband and I work as a team to encourage couples in and outside the walls of the Church. I also am passionate about seeing God’s work come into fruition within the non-profit sector, locally and internationally. Getting involved wherever we can to help make a difference, and loving others because he first loved us, is the best life to live.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Turkey. I think the Garden of Eden was there ;)

Each week we highlight a different member of our community who inspires us. This week we’re showcasing: Amy Taylor!


Current city or where you’re from: Pleasanton, CA

Tell us about you in 140 characters: Wife, mom, sister. Crazy idea-haver. Outspoken, yet introverted. A doer, but always at the last minute.

Why did you decide to join The Tribe? I believe in what The Adventure Project is doing. I believe in giving a hand-up over a hand-out when possible.

What’s a favorite book you couldn’t put down? Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne

What’s your theme song? Do Everything – Steven Curtis Chapman

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? Traveling for a year in a motorhome with my husband.

What are you most passionate about? (1) Being a good mom and wife. (2) Being an activist for the poor, oppressed, and abused. But neither at the expense of the other.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?  That’s a hard one. Maybe the Congo.

Each week we highlight a different member of our community who inspires us. This week we’re showcasing: Amanda Purvis!

Twitter:  @purvistribe
Website or blog: http://purvistribe.blogspot.com
Current city or where you’re from: Castle Rock, CO
Tell us about you in 140 characters: We currently have 4.5 children, some adopted, some foster care, some in-utero, all loved, all precious, all forever… (And all under five). 

Why did you decide to join The Tribe? I decided to join the tribe because of what The Adventure Project stands for. Providing jobs and dignity while giving to help those around the globe is an amazing combination.

What’s a favorite book you couldn’t put down? Currently, Karyn Purvis’ The Connected Child is a nightly read, over and over again.

What’s your favorite piece of advice someone gave you? Do it scared.

And if you have a crabby kid, put them in water… the bath, the pool, the sprinkler, whatever!

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? Probably our recent adventure into our local foster care system. Although we have traveled around the globe, nothing has compared to this adventure of bringing kids into our homes on their worst day, and being allowed to watch healing and growth occur. It’s quite the adventure!

What are you most passionate about? I am a pretty passionate person in general. Currently, my biggest passion is helping to replace hurt, lies, and brokenness with hope, love, and truth in hurt children. I am also pretty passionate about encouraging others to find their passions and to do them!

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Today…the Mediterranean.

Each week we highlight a different member of our community who inspires us. This week we’re showcasing: Laurie Peterson!

Behind each box of coal purchased this holiday season in support of five families in Haiti is Laurie and her handiwork of getting them made and sent to your stockings!

Current city or where you’re from: Castle Rock, CO

Tell us about you in 140 characters: I am a passionate, emotional, reckless, and don’t-look-before-I-leap kina gal. I used to be sorry about that, but now I’m not.

Why did you decide to join The Tribe? I feel tremendous compassion for any type of suffering and think I should do so much more about that.

What’s a favorite book you couldn’t put down? Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers; Twilight (she says with shame).

What’s your theme song? You Won’t Relent – kills me EVERYTIME.

What’s your favorite piece of advice someone gave you? Don’t try to be anything except who you were created to be. Instead of always focusing and working on your weaknesses, expend your energy building your strengths. (Thank you, David P.)

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? Most of those stories are during my teen years and I am NOT giving my kids any ideas or ammunition!

What are you most passionate about? The broken, hurting, or suffering. I wish I could live as fearless as I feel. I am passionate about my children. I don’t volunteer in classrooms, bring Gatorade and sliced oranges to practice, and I don’t cook very well or often, but they have all of everything I am.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Somewhere, anywhere, tropical. In Jesus name, amen.

Each week we highlight a different member of our community who inspires us. This week we’re showcasing: Cynthia Hellen!

Cynthia has been spearheading the event planning for our event tonight at The Ainsworth, coordinating logistics and bringing together NYC’s top women entrepreneurs and leaders. Click the link for more information about the #NiceListNYC Party to celebrate global entrepreneurship (all donations will go towards our stove campaign in Haiti). Make sure you RSVP to join The Nice List!

Twitter:  @cynthiahellen
Website or blog: www.about.me/cynthiahellen
Current city or where you’re from: Cañete, Peru
Tell us about you in 140 characters: Passionately curious, socially-oriented entrepreneur, collaborating to create social change

Why did you decide to join The Tribe? I believe that the world needs to change and that together we can make it better. Luckily for us we have The Adventure Project to be a part of, and people such as Becky Straw, Jody Landers, Nicole Skibola, Gabrielle Tang, and many others to surround ourselves who believe this too. This is why I decided to join TAP’s tribe.

What’s a favorite book you couldn’t put down? Out Of Poverty by Paul Polak

What’s your theme song? Kanye and Jay-Z – Otis ft. Otis Redding

What’s your favorite piece of advice someone gave you? Always be true to yourself. Don’t compromise your beliefs.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? Currently, I am doing a mining expedition with my Spanish Japanese Peruvian grandfather as well as helping him with legal matters that involve the small village he lives in.

What are you most passionate about? Curiously passionate about learning

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Patagonia

Each week we highlight a different member of our community who inspires us. This week we’re showcasing: Nicky Yates! 

We are proud to have Nicky as our Social Media Advisor. When she’s not giving us tips and tricks, she can be found behind her laptop at Social Media Week.

Twitter:  @nickyyates
Current city or where you’re from: NYC
Tell us about you in 140 characters: I’m avid fan of social justice and a food & travel junkie. I love to literally stop & smell the flowers and attempt a marathon every year.

Why did you decide to join The Tribe? I previously worked with Becky, so I knew her passion and knowledge were unparalleled. When she started The Adventure Project, I loved its mission. It hit home to what’s important in this world- helping others in sustainable ways. And it helped focus on women as well, without being isolating. Aiding women is one of the quickest ways to help build up countries’ development, and it’s critical that we start seeing them as leaders in families and communities. Being a part of a group that is actively working to change the world through sustainable projects and entrepreneurship is something that I couldn’t refuse. It’s an incredible group of passionate people- everyday people who have decided they can do something to affect change. And that merits my attention and time. It doesn’t need to be all I do- I can give a little each day or week and be effective.

What’s a favorite book you couldn’t put down? The Princess Bride

What’s your theme song? Fight Outta You by Ben Harper

What’s your favorite piece of advice someone gave you? You are the change you want to affect. Be it.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? When I was 19, I took a trip to Kazakhstan for 3 months to do community development work. It was mind-opening. I saw such an amazing culture and learned such an incredibly amount about myself. It definitely was the second step to putting me on the path I’m on now.

What are you most passionate about? Currently, it’s economic inequality and the environment. I believe we are a very blessed country in many ways, but I also see where we’re going off course. And if we are going to be able to continue to send aid to other countries, we have to adjust our own path. There are numerous studies on how economic equality correlates to success in other areas, like healthcare, employment, education, birth mortality rates, and life expectancy. By ignoring this crucial issue and the trends that we’re seeing, we’re ignoring the health of this country. And part of that means looking at our environmental impact. We’re seeing increasing rates of species going extinct. We’re seeing increasing rates of climate change. We’re seeing drastic changes that we can’t undo later. As a global community, we need to band together to look at this serious issue. Each country has a responsibility, but all of us as a global entity need to work together, as we can’t do it alone.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?  India is very high on my list right now. 

Each week we highlight a different member of our community who inspires us. This week we’re showcasing: Cris Valerio!

Twitter: @crisvalerio

Blog or website: http://about.me/crisvalerio

Current city or where you’re from: San Francisco

Tell us about you in 140 characters: In no particular order: Sister. Journalist. Wanderer. Daughter. Triathlete. Student. Fledgling Climber. Idealist. Storyteller. Marathoner.

Why did you decide to join The Tribe? I was looking for ways to do more with my life; looking for ways to honor what I’ve been given.

Plus, co-founders Becky Straw & Jody Landers kind of rock my world. I figured a bit of exposure to them in life couldn’t hurt.

What’s a favorite book you couldn’t put down?  City of Thieves…and anything by Kapuscinski & Rilke.

What’s your theme song? Painfully cheesy pop music in any language…

What’s your favorite piece of advice someone gave you?
IMPORTANT: Don’t forget to laugh.
HARDEST: Strive for grace, humility and perspective.
FAVORITE: Let go of fears daily, weekly, momentously.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? To me, one of the riskiest, and therefore most adventurous, things in life is to invest in individuals, experiences and places. Because once you invest, you have a lot to lose. 

I’ve lived in about 12 cities, 9 states, and 3 countries in my life. Committing time and love to each of those places and the people there is scary…and adventurous as heck!

Also, Solo hiking the John Muir Trail was pretty high up on my life ‘adventure’ list…

What are you most passionate about? People and their stories.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Democratic Republic of Congo and the Patagonia.

Each week we highlight a different member of our community who inspires us. This week we’re showcasing: Nicole Skibola!

Twitter: @nicoleskibola

Blog or Website: http://about.me/nicoleskibola

Current City (or where you’re from): Brooklyn, NY

Tell us about yourself in 140 characters: I work to create opportunities for collaboration, idea synergy and benefit among the legal, business, and nonprofit worlds.

Why did you decide to join The Tribe? Because I am passionate about dignity and self-sufficiency in economic development

What’s a favorite book you couldn’t put down? By the River Piedra I Sat and Wept

What’s your theme song? Chicago by Sufjian Stevens

What’s your favorite piece of advice some gave you? Never give up.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? Quit my job and followed my boyfriend to South Africa where I taught yoga for 4 months.

What are you most passionate about? My dog, food, my family, collaboration, and curiosity.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be? The markets of Zanzibar.

Each week we highlight a different member of our community who inspires us. This week we’re showcasing: Mandy Houle!

Blog: www.houlehouse.blogspot.com

Current city: Colorado Springs

Mandy in 140 characters: I love Jesus. I love Dave. I love Avery, Ashton, and Ian. And I really, really, really want to see heaven right here and right now.

Why did you decide to join the Tribe? TAP supports small businesses. Businesses that are providing a community with simple solutions for profound needs. Businesses that are providing jobs right in their community. Sustainable hope. Heaven on earth.

Favorite book Mandy couldn’t put down? Bittersweet

Her theme song? The Earth is Yours - Gungor

Her favorite piece of advice someone gave her:

Always let others have the biggest piece of the cake.

Joy is a choice.

When that baby is exhausted and grumpy, let her cry herself to sleep in her crib; she will be fine.

The most adventurous thing she’s ever done? Having my babies at home.

Most passionate about: Having God’s eyes for every person or situation I come in contact with.

If Mandy could visit anywhere in the world: Ah geez. Really? Indonesia to see my brother. Swaziland to see the amazing people and care points that our church is partnering with, and Hawaii because it’s Hawaii.

Your name: Maria Drummond

Twitter: maria_drummond

Your blog or website: Facebook

Current city: New York, NY

Tell us about you in 140 characters: I’m forever in love with Tennessee, Swedish Fish, Gold Fish crackers, outlaw country music, delft blue and England in the Spring.

Why did you decide to join the Tribe? Few burdens are heavy when everyone lifts

What’s a favorite book you couldn’t put down? Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking, or anything Fitzgerald

What’s your theme song? Can I pretty please pick two? Wildflowers by Tom Petty and Hard Times by Gillian Welch

What’s your favorite piece of advice someone gave you? Before I moved to New York my boss in Nashville told me to be the kind of girl that can make a decision. She stressed that even if you make a wrong one, you can reroute and correct it with a right one. I think she was actually challenging me but sugarcoated it by calling it advice. Smart lady.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? I spent a month traveling around Europe and sleeping on strangers couches… probably not the safest thing in the world but it absolutely changed my life. I’m praying that my mother doesn’t read this…

What are you most passionate about? People. I was always terrible at math and science (I’m talking count-on-your-fingers-in-high-school terrible), but excelled in English and History because both subjects told stories about humanity. 

I’m sure a boatful of people would disagree with me on this but I don’t see anything more important than investing in people— whether it be your neighbor or your brother or someone half way across the world whose name you always misspell. I also would argue that there is nothing more interesting or exciting or rewarding as investing in people. 

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be? France. But you can keep Paris; I want the countryside.