Phil Keoghan of the Amazing Race Rides Across America

April 23rd, 2009 • Cycling/Fitness

There’s the Tour de France, Tour of California, and even the Tour Down Under. But how about the Tour of America? While it hasn’t happened yet (although it’s in the works for 2009), Phil Keoghan, host of The Amazing Race has decided to make his very own Tour of America as he makes a 42 day long trek across America, from Los Angeles to New York.

While the official purpose of this ride is to raise money and spread awareness for Multiple Sclerosis, his ride is also sending another message - one of leading a healthy life supplemented by exercise and good nutrition.

Who is Phil Keoghan? Why is he Riding?

Phil Keoghan hails from Lincoln, New Zealand and is a world famous TV Personality. He is most recently known for hosting the wildly popular Amazing Race reality show. The Amazing Race features teams of candidates racing across the world with limited resources. They are faced with challenges which require them to use both mental and physical prowress to overcome. In the end, the smartest, strongest and most tactical team ends up on top with a prize of $1 Million.

In addition to his TV work, Phil leads a very active lifestyle, and as part of this is an avid cyclist. As a result, he was inspired to organize this ride across America in order to raise awareness for MS and healthy lifestyles.

Because MS awareness is the main reason he is riding, he is collecting donations from generous towns and cities as he makes his way across country. He has already raised a sizable amount of money and looks to collect more as his journey continues.

While any effort to raise money for such a good cause is a noble one, I believe that doing so by cycling across country is a way to send an incredibly strong message to the world about the severity of MS. According to Phil:

Having multiple sclerosis means that you may suddenly have blurry vision. Or that your memory will fail you for no apparent reason. Or that you may not always be able to walk, let alone ride a bike. The symptoms of MS are different, and unpredictable, for everyone - the only certainty is that every hour, someone new is diagnosed with MS .

Essentially, having MS limits your ability to move and be active in ways which most people take for granted. By exercising these simple, yet often overlooked abilities, Phil will (hopefully) accomplish an incredible task of riding a bicycle literally from one shore to another.

Leading a Healthy Lifestyle

In addition to his goal of spreading awareness for MS, Phil is also spreading awareness for leading healthy and active lifestyles. By showing potentially thousands of children, teenager and adults across America the incredible feat which can be accomplished using only bodily power, he is spreading a message of the benefits of a healthy and active lifestyle.

Obviously, America is in a rather unhealthy point in our history, and we need people like Phil to inspire our youth and our adult population to get outside and get active.

In addition to leading an active lifestyle, Phil’s journey is helping to display exactly why a healthy diet is crucial in an active lifestyle. By putting his body through such incredible stresses, he will need every ounce of energy his body can provide him, which, of course, begins with the healthy nutritious food he is feeding himself.

Part of America’s fitness problem is our diets. Hopefully, by spreading the message of good health and a nutritious, wholesome diet, Phil will do more than his part in spreading the word.

Now One Square Meal

As part of Phil’s healthy lifestyle he is acting a number of Now One Square Meals. Although I have yet to try them myself, I do know that they are essentially an energy bar, which , when eaten in pairs, is equal to the right number of nutrients and calories for an entire meal.

While in general I am a fan of fresh, home cooked meals with fresh local ingredients, the Now One Square meal is a great idea. Home cooked meals with local ingredients may be the best option when you (or your loved one) has an entire afternoon to dedicate to cooking, there are times when something similar to the Now One Square Meal, which is fast and convenient is the best option available.

The Now One Square Meal offers people who lead busy lifestyles an option to still consume a healthy, nutritious, and nourishing meal, but on the go and in a convenient pre packaged form factor. If you are trying to avoid eating fast food while on the run, give the Now One Square Meals a serious look.

Phil’s Daily Blog

Without Phil’s Daily Blog, there is no doubt in my mind that I would still be interested in Phil’s journey. However, with the blog, I have become a loyal follower of his ride. I watch his videos each and every day and love tracking his progress.

Phil’s daily video blog is helping to get more people interested in his journey, and ultimately spread his message even further. In my opinion, his video blog is an incredible example of how technology can aid people in everyday lives.

Phil’s video blogs feature a daily recap of his ride, and also occasionally a special segment where he highlights something special which happened on any particular day in his ride. The updates are informative, very entertaining and occasionally comical. The large number of videos coming out of this journey help to put a face on the rider and really allow the fans and followers of the ride to connect with Phil as he treks across the nation.

I’ve been having a blast watching Phil’s daily updates, and if you are yet to check them out, definitely visit his daily blog.

Closing Thoughts

Phil Keoghan is an incredible person, and an incredible athlete. He has made a living as a TV host and is now dedicated a number of days in order to raise money for an incredibly worthwhile cause. As Phil rides his Specialized road bike across country, he is raising awareness in money for the national MS Society. However, he is also helping to spread the message regarding the importance of leading a healthy and active lifestyle. I support Phil’s efforts wholeheartedly and am a religious follower of his video blogs.

If you would like to donate to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Phil’s name, click here.

Tags: America, Cycling/Fitness, Multiple Sclerosis, Now One Square Meal, Phil Keoghan, The Amazing Race, Tour de France, Tour Down Under, Tour of California

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