Introducing Mario Rigby

A modern-day explorer and record-setter whose pursuits extend across continents, disciplines, and endeavors. His relentless dedication to pushing boundaries has not only led him to extraordinary personal achievements but also contributed to global dialogues around sustainability, exploration, and diversity. Here are some of his remarkable accolades.
  1. Walked the length of Africa from Cape Town to Cairo.
  2. Completed a cycling trip across Canada.
  3. Kayaked the length of Lake Ontario.
  4. Canada Goose Ambassador (Goose Friend)
  5. Drove an electric vehicle across Canada.
  6. Member of The Explorers Club.
  7. Enlisted in The Explorers Club 50, recognizing fifty extraordinary individuals changing the world (EC50).
  8. Fellow of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS).
  9. Explorer-in-Residence with The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS).
  10. Completed a human-powered expedition traversing Turks & Caicos.
  11. Recipient of the Most Influential Person of African Descent (MIPAD) award in 2018.
  12. Broke the OFSAA 400m sprint (track and field) record in 2004.

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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

​Meet the adventurer: Mario Rigby on serendipity, sustainability and celebrating difference

RED BULL

Meet the explorer who paddled across Lake Ontario over 20 consecutive days

CBC NEWS

Toronto explorer successfully kayaks the length of Lake Ontario in 20 days​

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5 WU SHARE EPISODES 

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Western Union joined Mario during his time in Egypt as he closes in on the end of his journey. Western Union CEO, Hikmet Ersek, WU Foundation partner, Forest Whitaker and Mario, travel to the Kiryandongo refugee settlement in Uganda created by the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI), a WU Foundation beneficiary to see team what WPDI continued amazing work creating opportunities for young people to create their own destinies. Between long stretches that would make most people turn back, he discusses the importance of charity and empowerment in shaping a better future for everyone. Mario Rigby was compensated by Western Union for his travel expenses to the WUF sponsored refugee settlement in Kiryandongo, Uganda. Mario Rigby is an actual Western Union consumer. Like us on Facebook and Instagram to never miss an episode of Mario's journey to overcome perceptions one step at a time.

VIDEO / TV INTERVIEWS

THE ADVICE SHOW TV - USA
THE TORONTO STAR - CANADA
​NAS DAILY
CTV NEWS - CANADA
CAIRO SCENE - EGYPT
TVO | THE AGENDA - CANADA
AFRICA NEWS
VOCA TV
TEDx TALK - SUDAN
CAPTITAL RADIO 96.1 - SUDAN