The Marines helped him overcome a life of drugs, and now a life project to run across every country in the world will help him overcome PTSD -- Akshay Nanavati's trek across Greenland, completed in 2012, was the first on his mission.
Running around the world —
The Marines helped him overcome a life of drugs, and now a life project to run across every country in the world will help him overcome PTSD -- Akshay Nanavati's trek across Greenland, completed in 2012, was the first on his mission.
courtesy Akshay Nanavati
It will take 20-25 years to complete all 193 countries (as declared by the UN), though he plans for a quick start, crossing 20 countries between now and May 2015.
20 countries in a year —
It will take 20-25 years to complete all 193 countries (as declared by the UN), though he plans for a quick start, crossing 20 countries between now and May 2015.
courtesy Akshay Nanavati
Nanavati's latest run took place in the Caribbean in June 2014. This is a picture from Barbados.
Beach run —
Nanavati's latest run took place in the Caribbean in June 2014. This is a picture from Barbados.
courtesy Akshay Nanavati
"On a 50-kilometer run last weekend, I went through many moments where I asked myself 'Do I really want to do this for the rest of my life?'," says Nanavati. "But as soon as I got back home, I found a 50-miler that I want to run next."
Running for the rest of my life? —
"On a 50-kilometer run last weekend, I went through many moments where I asked myself 'Do I really want to do this for the rest of my life?'," says Nanavati. "But as soon as I got back home, I found a 50-miler that I want to run next."
courtesy Akshay Nanavati
Nanavati's 28-day journey through Greenland was the first.
28 days in Greenland —
Nanavati's 28-day journey through Greenland was the first.
courtesy Akshay Nanavati
He dragged a 190-pound sled with full of supplies across the ice and snow of Greenland. Some sections were completed on skis.
190-pound extra weight —
He dragged a 190-pound sled with full of supplies across the ice and snow of Greenland. Some sections were completed on skis.
courtesy Akshay Nanavati
"For some places, like Greenland and eventually Antarctica, I will be on skis -- apart from walking and jogging," says Nanavati. "I officially define the expedition as 'crossing every country in the world on foot,' if someone really were to get technical about it."
Running, walking, skiing —
"For some places, like Greenland and eventually Antarctica, I will be on skis -- apart from walking and jogging," says Nanavati. "I officially define the expedition as 'crossing every country in the world on foot,' if someone really were to get technical about it."
courtesy Akshay Nanavati
He completed the one-month trek across Greenland "in a tiny hunting village on the east coast ... where there are more dogs than people. I was greeted by two Inuit boys who wanted to drag my sled to the final house where we would take our first shower in a month."
Finishing line in Greenland —
He completed the one-month trek across Greenland "in a tiny hunting village on the east coast ... where there are more dogs than people. I was greeted by two Inuit boys who wanted to drag my sled to the final house where we would take our first shower in a month."
courtesy Akshay Nanavati
"I have always been an avid traveler as well, so it occurred to me that there would be no better way to see the planet and the people that live within it than by doing so on foot." Here Nanavati's hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Avid traveler —
"I have always been an avid traveler as well, so it occurred to me that there would be no better way to see the planet and the people that live within it than by doing so on foot." Here Nanavati's hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
courtesy Akshay Nanavati
Nanavati has also spent two weeks mountaineering in Bolivia (pictured), doing Polar training in Norway and swimming with sharks in South Africa.
Other adventures —
Nanavati has also spent two weeks mountaineering in Bolivia (pictured), doing Polar training in Norway and swimming with sharks in South Africa.
courtesy Akshay Nanavati