Expedition Impossible

This summer I started watching a new Mark Burnett show called Expedition Impossible.  It is similar to the Amazing Race as teams race to various checkpoints and are given challenges.  The part that is different is that the 13 three-person teams race across vast deserts, over snow-capped mountains and through raging rivers in the Kingdom of Morocco.

Some of these locations looked grueling and oddly some of the people that looked the most fit failed horribly.  In one of the early legs of the race a group of Latin ladies did so much bitching and belly aching at each other that their attitudes definitely did them in.  On one team called the Farm boys, the biggest strapping guy was constantly being a big pansy and having to stop.  Meanwhile much less fit looking teams passed them by.

I think the most inspiring team on this challenge was one called "No Limits".  These are three very close friends and one is blind!  Yes, totally freaking blind.  It was amazing to watch this guy walk over terrain that was so uneven and treacherous.  He would hold onto his buddy and jump 40 feet into a raging river from a cliff and then Kayak down the raging river.  Yes, a one man kayak all on his own, with only his friends calling out.  He climbed and repelled mountains, he rode a horse and a camel, you name it this guy just did it.  Not a single complaint, just an incredible relationship and trust with his teammates.  It was incredibly inspiring.  Along with his blindness, his team mate hurt his leg very badly and kept pushing through as well.  In the end they came in second place just minutes behind the first place team.  They never got frustrated with each other, just kept up the encouragement and were determined to do the best they could. 

So while television often focuses on those people in the world that are useless and offer nothing of value (aka. Jersey Shore), it's wonderful to watch people that truly understand what team work, friendship and perseverance are all about.  Some people leaving you feeling inspired rather than disgusted, and that is great!