Talk: The 7,000 Mile Lifelong Triathlon with YMCA Director Brad Russell

Join Brad Russell, YMCA Executive Director, as he shares his story of biking 3,300 miles from Maine to California in his 20s, hiking 2,700 miles from Mexico to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail in is 30s, and recently completing 1,200 miles paddling his kayak in sections from Washington to Alaska along the Inside Passage.  Bike, Hike, Paddle with a few insights of working at a YMCA in Taiwan where he met his wife of 28 years and now speaks Mandarin Chinese.  Not only does he tell of the highs and lows of his triathlon journey but also shares life lessons.  Lessons include: mother knows best, do your research, relationships matter most, build strength & resilience, keep at it, be flexible & adjust, and be kind to yourself & others.

Presenter Bio: Brad Russell has been the Executive Director of the Rogue Valley Family YMCA in Medford, Oregon since 2006.  He has a Business Administration degree from the University of Maine and a Masters degree in Recreation Administration and Nonprofit Management from Springfield College in Massachusetts. He began his YMCA career in 1990 in Rochester, New York then served in San Diego, California.  He spent a year at a YMCA in Taiwan where he met his wife, Stella, then led two YMCAs in Monterey County, California.  Brad volunteers for the Nonprofit Association of Oregon and serves on the board of La Clinica Health Center. As an avid traveler, he has visited NGOs in more than 35 countries, speaks Mandarin Chinese and a bit of Spanish.  In his free time, he enjoys sea kayaking and time outdoors with his wife and two rescued dogs.