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R.K. "Bob" Speights, Literary Agent 

 

I learned Everything I Know, Hanging On the Side Of A Mountain.

By Robyn Benincasa, Adventure Racer and Eco-Challenge Champion (Borneo, 2000)

"I learned Everything I Know, Hanging On the Side Of A Mountain" applies the eight essential elements of human synergy (learned by Benincasa through her adventure racing) to the thousands of people struggling to cope their with day to day lives. Using the platform of the Eco-Challenge "expedition competition" for her amusing stories and hard-won insights, world champion adventure racer and firefighter Robyn Benincasa, will share the inside secrets of success in the most challenging situations.

The book will be derived from her seminars on the eight essentials of human senergy.

The foreword written by Mark Burnett, Producer of Eco-Challenge, Survior and the Apprentice. Chapter One - Will introduce Robyn Benincasa, Chapter Two - Total Commitment, Chapter Three - Empathy and Awareness, Chapter Four - Adversity Management, Chapter Five - Mutual Respect, Chapter Six - "We" thinking, Chapter Seven - Ownership of the Project, Chapter Eight - Relinquishment of the Ego, Chapter Nine - Kinetic leadership, Chapter Ten - Finishing the Race.

Robyn also shares stories from her races and talks about "Extreme Performance: Why Winners Win", "High Performance Leadership" and "Everything I Need to Know I Learned By Hurting Myself in Foreign Countries", which is an overview of life lessons learned by Robyn from the physical, emotional and spiritual roller coaster ride that is the sport of Adventure Racing. From the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat, this book will full of fun and wisdom.

Book Support

Where does Starbucks, Honda, Acura, Lockheed Martin, Timberland, Earthlink and Boeing go when they are searching for the best person to help motivate its employees? They look no further than one of the most dynamic and most respected individuals on the planet – Eco-Challenge champion, Robyn Benincasa.

In the past 8 years, Benincasa has completed over thirteen "expedition length" adventure races (7-10 days, nonstop), and has earned World Champion honors in both the Eco-Challenge (Borneo, 2000) and the Raid Gauloises (1998).

Benincasa is recognized as one of the most consistent and most decorated adventure racers in the world, and her positive personality and obvious love for the sport has made her a natural favorite in the media. In the past two years, she has appeared on the pages of Sports Illustrated, Vogue, Outside, Harper’s Bazaar, Muscle and Fitness, US News and World Report, Fast Company, The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times, just to name a few. She has also been featured on mainstream television programs such as Regis Live, NBC’s To Tell the Truth, CBS 48 Hours, Fox After Breakfast and Dateline NBC.

When Benincasa is not "out playing," she is holding down her full-time job as a firefighter for the City of San Diego, and is juggling a second (third?) career as Director of Fun for her new company, World Class Teams, through which she imparts "The 8 Essential Elements of Human Synergy" to corporations via speaking engagements and Adventure Teambuilding events. She also spends several weeks a year sharing her hard won adventure-racing wisdom with aspiring adventure athletes in camps and clinics across the U.S.

Robyn is constantly asked for published material to compliment her public speaking engagements and support her philosophy and approach on life, fitness, motivation and work ethics. When booked by companies such as Nestle, Cox, Hewlett Packard, etc…. The first thing they want is a book for their employees as resource and reference material to coincide with her speaking appearance. Robyn has literally lost out on thousands of potential book sales by not having anything published to provide them.

Not to mention, with an upcoming appearance being scheduled on Oprah, it would be great to have a book to plug because Oprah’s audience and demographic would eat this up, so to speak. Just spend 5 minutes talking with Robyn and you’ll see why motivational guru Tony Robbins comes to her to speak for him. She could literally be the next Dr. Phil.

Robyn "The Motivator"…

The focus of the "Extreme Teams" keynote is on the "8 Essential Elements of Human Synergy" required to foster empathy, effective communication, shared responsibility, mutual respect, and a real sense of interdependence among teammates. Using the platform of the Eco-Challenge "expedition competition" for her amusing stories and hard-won insights, world champion adventure racer and firefighter Robyn Benincasa will share the inside secrets of team success in the most challenging situations; from leadership and "followership" skills to dynamic role shifting. This unforgettable program will not only inspire you, but also provide concrete take-home skills for developing synergy with all of the teammates in your life.

What They’re Saying…

"My head and heart are still reeling from the Fast Company Magazine "Extreme Team" experience in San Diego! The breadth and depth of information that was presented and shared during this event made it the most inspiring learning experience of my career. Robyn and her team designed an event that was a perfect balance of physical and mental challenges that required collaboration, dynamic role shifting along the way and a strong commitment to the team. My big win is that I'm walking around with the highest level of self-confidence I have ever known. Also, I learned to ask for help-- or at least ask sooner; no longer will I wait for the offer of help. Finally, I feel confident that I will continue to move past old boundaries. Thank you Fast Company and World Class Teams for a priceless experience. It was absolutely EXTREME."
- Loretta Ratliff, Keybank

"In short, your presentation was amazing. You rock! You move the audience emotionally. Your content is powerful, and your energy and ability to be genuine on stage were fabulous. I hope they were all taking notes."
- Scott Harris, Trainer, Anthony Robbins Company

"We had so much fun with you. I literally received so many compliments on your message and comments about how your talk touched people - some wanted to go home and share with their husbands/wives/families. Several others said you were the best speaker they had ever heard (my opinion too by the way) and that more in Nestle should hear you! You SO over-delivered both in your speech and in your willingness to spend time with our team. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect message to be delivered at just the right time."
- Lisbeth Armentano, Director of Communications & Promotions, Nestlé Nutrition Division

"I am still charged by my experience participating in Robyn's "AdventureTeambuilding" program, and have put a lot of her team ideas into practice in my business"
- Scott McGarrigle, CEO, AKI

"Robyn's background and experience provide us with a unique and much needed perspective for our RealTime participants, and her award winning adventure racing team embodies what it means to be a leader today. We always get an INCREDIBLE response to her "Building World Class Teams" sessions and adventure events."
- Gina Imperato, Content Builder, Fast Company Magazine

"The section of "Extreme Team String" that I brought home from our event still hangs in my office as a reminder of so many lessons, including "asking for help is a gift to the helper". I continue to be inspired by my experience with World Class Teams on the beach in San Diego. You made a profound impact in my life! Thank You!"

- Amy Peterson, Director of Sales, Credit Union National Association

"I am back to my job and family life, but I have to tell you that the World Class Teams experience last week was very significant. Although I have done some teambuilding processes before, I felt your ideas were unique. I had fun, but I continually learned about giving, listening, planning, thinking, and pushing myself as far as possible. I also appreciated the teambuilding workbook, and will find lots of uses for it. I serve as director for an organization of over 400 people and teamwork is critical."
- Sharon Anderson, NDSU, RealTime "Extreme Team" Participant

"Robyn does a fabulous job of bringing the principles of adventure racing into the corporate environment. She did a great job of customizing her session to meet the needs and objectives of our national management meeting. The audience was riveted and our managers continue to talk about Robyn and the lasting impact she made!"
- Debbie Rubin, Assistant to the President, Aramark Educational Resources


"Robyn has a singular energy which she transmits to her audience, allowing them, at least vicariously, to live what she has experienced. Her story is a call-to-action to be more active at whatever level in the great outdoors."
- Lee Plesser Smith, Marketing Manager, Timberland

Background…

Robyn Benincasa was born in Long Island, New York, but spent much of her youth in Tempe, Arizona, where she trained as a competitive gymnast. In high school, she competed at the state level in three sports: gymnastics, track, and diving. She was eventually awarded an academic scholarship to attend Arizona State University. Her college days were filled with business classes and diving practice, culminating with a gold medal at the Pac-10 Diving Championships and honors as both the ASU Student Athlete of the Year and the Outstanding Graduate in Marketing in 1988.

A job offer in field sales with a pharmaceutical company next brought Benincasa to Encinitas, California, where she discovered the sport of triathlon. Between 1989 and 1993, she completed six Ironman triathlons, with 4th and 5th place finishes in her age division at the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. Ever in search of a new challenge, Benincasa was drawn to the sport of Adventure Racing in 1994, and completed her first Raid Gauloises (Borneo) with an all-female team.

Adventure Racing was a perfect outlet for the physical strength and mental discipline she had developed throughout her life and Benincasa realized quickly that THIS was the sport she was born to do. Subsequent strong finishes in the Raid Gauloises (1995) and the Eco-Challenge (1995/ 1996/1997) would further cement this belief. In 1998, Benincasa joined forces with Team Salomon/Eco-Internet, to date the most successful team in the sport of Adventure Racing, and became the first American to win the Raid Gauloises (Ecuador). Taking the term "multi-sport athlete" quite literally, Benincasa also won the 1998 National Judo Championship (under-78 kilo division) that year, for which she had been "cross purpose" training since 1995. Benincasa has since continued her winning ways with podium finishes at four World Championship races (Eco-Challenge 1999/2000/2001 and the Discovery Channel Race 2001)— the highlight of which was realizing a career-long goal by winning the 2000 Eco-Challenge in Borneo.

Race Highlights…

  • 1st Place, BalanceBar Series, Los Angeles, CA ~2002

    1st Place, Cal Eco-Series, Californina ~2002

    5th Place, Eco-Challenge, Fiji ~2002

    4th Place, NBC Gorge Games, Oregon ~2002

    4th Place, Eco-Challenge, New Zealand ~2001

    1st place, Raid the North Extreme, Canada ~2001

    2nd place, Gorge Games Outdoor World Championship ~2001

    3rd place, Discovery Channel Adventure Race World Championship ~2001

    3rd place, Southern Traverse, New Zealand ~2000

    1st place, Eco-Challenge, Borneo ~2000

    2nd place, Salomon X-Mountain Series, Aspen ~2000

    4th place (top US team), Team Salomon/Eco-Internet, Raid

    Gauloises, Tibet/Nepal ~2000

    4th place, Team Atlas Snowshoes/Rubicon (3 woman/1 man) Patagonia ~1999

    1st place, Raid the North Extreme, August ~1998

    1st place, HiTec Adventure Race, NY, August ~1998

    1st place, Raid Gauloises, Ecuador ~1998

    Gold Medallist, U.S. National Judo Championships ~1998

    Silver Medallist, U.S. National Judo Championships ~1997

    2nd place, Eco-Challenge, Utah ~1995

    Finisher, Raid Gauloises, Borneo ~1994 (all female team)

    Allergan Pharmaceuticals "Rookie of the Year", Field Sales

  • Television & Radio…

  • The History Channel, December 2003 – Featured on weekly program hosted by Hunter Ellis (Survivor) "Tactical to Practical"

    ESPN, April 2002 – A 2 hour special covering Robyn and Team King Oscars winning the British Virgin Islands Adventure Race

    USA Network, April 2002 – A 4 hour special on the 2001 Eco-Challenge (New Zealand) featuring Robyn and Team Earthlink (4th place)

    Discovery Channel, March 2002 – A 4 hour coverage of Discovery Channel World Championship Adventure Race - features Robyn and Team Salomon / Eco-Internet (3rd place)

    USA Network, April 2001 – A 4 hour series featuring Robyn and Team Salomon/Eco-Internet winning the 2000 Eco-Challenge

    The Discovery Channel, April 2001 – A 4 hour coverage of the 2001 Southern Traverse, in which Robyn was a member of "The Science Team" (followed to check the physiological effects of Adventure Racing on the body)

    Outdoor Life Network, October 2001 – A 2 hour special featuring Robyn and Team Eco-Internet winning the 2000 Raid the North Extreme

    ESPN 2, November 2001 – A 1 hour special on Salomon X-Adventure

    The Competitors, November 18, 2001 – A 1 hour radio interview with competitor magazine’s Bob Babbit on The Clear Channel Network

    NBC’s "To Tell The Truth", December 2001 – Features Robyn as "The real Robyn Benincasa"

    Regis Live, September 2000 – Features Robyn and Team Salomon/Eco-Internet as winners of the 2000 Eco-Challenge (rappel off of the NBC building in NYC)

    CNN Live, October 2000 – A 10 minute interview with Robyn and Team Salomon/Eco-Internet, 2000 Eco-Challenge Champions

    20/20 / Dateline NBC / ABC’s Wide World of Sports, September 2000 - Coverage of 2000 Raid Gauloises

    Oxygen Network - "We Sweat", August 2000 – Features Robyn in a 30-minute special on the 2000 Raid Gauloises

    Outdoor Life Network, August 2000 – Features Robyn and Team Salomon/Land Rover in the 2000 Raid Gauloises, in a 3 hour special.

    Candice Bergen Show, June 2000 – Features Team Atlas Snowshoes/Rubicon in 1999 Eco-Challenge.

    Dateline NBC, April 2000 – A 12-minute feature on Team Atlas Snowshoes/Rubicon in 1999 Eco-Challenge.

    Outdoor Life Network, The Raid Gauloises 1998, Ecuador – A 3½-hour feature covering the premier adventure race. Narration by Robyn Benincasa and coverage of her team, Eco-Internet, winners of the Raid. (Aired 5 times from December 1998 to March 1999)

    Discovery Channel Eco-Challenge, April 1999 – Features Robyn as a member of the 3 woman/one man, Atlas Snowshoes/Rubicon

    AXN TV, Fox Family Channel, September 1998 – A ½ hour feature on Team Eco-Internet in the Raid Gauloises ‘98

    Good Morning America, June 1998 – A special segment on adventure racing with Robyn Benincasa featured as an instructor at the Presidio Adventure Racing Academy

    "Trailside: Make Your Own Adventure" (PBS/OLN) – Robyn hosted the most popular outdoor adventure show in the world in 1997/1998 (a total of 8 shows which aired in 200+ U.S. markets)

    Fox Television’s "Fox After Breakfast Show", May 1997 – Features "Women Who Dare" interview and a whitewater trip with Robyn Benincasa

    Discovery Channel Canada, February 1997 – 5 hour special features Eco-Challenge Adventure School and instructor Robyn Benincasa

  • Print…

  • American Football Monthly, September 2003 – Article written by Robyn on building dynamic coaching staff chemistry in top football coaching magazine read by NFL, NCAA and high school coaches.

    Hooked on the Outdoors, April/May 2002 - Cover photo of Robyn and "Survivor" Producer Mark Burnett

    Powerbar National Ad Campaign, Begins April 2002 - Full layout of Robyn with quotes in 10 major outdoor/mainstream magazines (i.e. Backpacker, Rolling Stone, Shape and Outside)

    Triathelete, March 2002 - ½ page photo of Robyn at the 2001 Eco-Challenge

    New York Times, Sports Page, November 11, 2001 - ½ page photo of Robyn and Jason Middleton of Team Earthlink, who were featured in a story on the 2001 Eco-Challenge

    Sports Illustrated Women, October 2001 - 2 page photo of Robyn opens up a feature photo layout of the top women in adventure racing

    Sports Illustrated Women, September 2001 - ¼ page photo of Robyn and brief biography for article entitled "They’re Very Bad"

    Windy City Sports, April 2001 - Cover shot of Team Salomon/Eco-Internet at the 2000 Eco-Challenge

    Denver Post, September 2000 - Front page business section features Robyn and her Innovative Corporate "AdventureTeambuilding"

    Sports Illustrated for Women, August 2000 - Features Robyn & Team Atlas Snowshoes /Rubicon, 4th place in the 1999 Eco-Challenge

    Muscle and Fitness, July 2000 - Full page feature on Robyn with photos

    Women’s Sport & Fitness, April 2000 - Features Team Atlas Snowshoes/Rubicon, co-written by team members

    New York Times, December 1999 - Features Robyn and Team Atlas Snowshoes/Rubicon, 4th place in the 1999 Eco-Challenge

    Denver Post, December 1999 - Article featuring World Class Teams founder Robyn Benincasa

    USA Today, December 1999 - Features Robyn and Team Atlas Snowshoes/Rubicon

    Fast Company, October 1999 - Features Robyn and Team Eco-Internet in a story on "Extreme Teams"

    American Way, American Airlines Worldwide, September 1999 – Feature story on Robyn

    Hooked on the Outdoors, August 1999 – Features Robyn on the cover plus a five-page feature with photos

    Competitor, July 1999 – Features Robyn as one of "California’s Fittest Women"

    Hooked on the Outdoors, Summer 1999 – Feature story on Robyn for premier issue of new outdoor enthusiast magazine

    Vogue, April 1999 – 3 page photo layout of Robyn, shot by Herb Ritts, with feature story

    Women’s Sports and Fitness, April 1999 – 1 photo and mention of Robyn on winning team at the Raid Gauoloises

    U.S. News and World Report – Photo and interview with Robyn at "Bootcamp Fitness" class for story on emerging fitness trends

    Competitor, April 1999 – Photo of Robyn winning an award for "Performance of the Year" at the annual Endurance Sports Awards ceremony

    Shape, March 1999 – References to Robyn as the author's instructor at the Presidio Adventure Racing Academy

    Elle, December 1998 – Training routine features Robyn’s Bootcamp Fitness class

    L.A. Times Sports Section, December 25, 1998 – Front page feature on Robyn with 2 photos

    Fit, November 1998 – 4x5 photo of Robyn with quote

    Outside, August 1998 – A ¼ page feature on Robyn with one photo

    Competitor, June 1998 – 3 page feature on Team Eco-Internet and one 8x11 photo of Robyn

    Men’s Health, April 1998 – "Strength Building Cardio Workouts" features a workout designed by Robyn

    Winning, January 1998 – "Survival Games in the Australian Outback", Eco-Challenge 1997 Australia first-person feature written by Robyn (8000 words, 5 photos)

    Women’s Sports and Fitness, January 1998 – "Team Mountain Dew...Does", 1997 Eco-Challenge Australia first-person feature written by Robyn (1500 words, 1 photo)

    American Way, American Airlines, June 1997 – Adidas Triple Bypass feature includes 1 photo of Robyn

    Women’s Sports and Fitness, April 1997 – "Epiphanies in Sports" feature includes piece by Robyn and 1 photo

    Men’s Health, March 1997 – Eco-Challenge Adventure School feature with 2 photos

    Sports Illustrated On-Line, February 1997 – Features "The Adventures of Team Mountain Dew" written by Robyn (3000 words / 21 photos)

  • Promotion…

    As you can see, Robyn gets around … she will have no problem getting the word out. We can utilize every opportunity to plug her book through speaking engagements (which she conducts globally), and print, radio and television interviews. Robyn also has a terrific Web site (www.WorldClassTeams.com) that generates tons of traffic and interest.

    Plus, since adventure racing is a worldwide sport, she is extremely popular in Europe, Australia and South America. In fact, those countries celebrate adventure racers like the U.S. treats football, baseball and basketball athletes.

    Not to mention the thousands of people that will be exposed to the book who participate in Robyn’s half-day seminars, keynote speeches, indoor specialty seminars and outdoor adventure training challenges.

    By utilizing her celebrity status, we can use programs such as Oprah, The View, Regis and Kelly, Leno, Best Damn Sports Show, etc. to gain maximum exposure. Plus, it looks as though Eco-Challenge producer Mark Burnett (Survivor), who is a big fan and supporter or Robyn, will be willing to write a foreword for the book.

    Formats like eBooks and audio versions on cassette and compact disc will be extremely marketable and sought after due to the popularity of motivational material.

    This wii a terrific book and a golden opportunity to capitalize on an ever-growing business/motivation market.

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