When : April 19, 2008 10:00am-2:00pm
Expo Vendors include
Skirtsports, 2XU, Rudy Project, Max Muscle, J.E.N. Bars, Jagged & T3 Accessories

SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES BY
Ironman and Inspirational Speaker: Jason Lester
2006 Age Group Ironman World Champion: Teresa Rider

Enter Grand Opening Day raffle for chance to win
Garmin 305 Heart rate monitor

Plus merchandise from Rudy, DeSoto, Jagged, Skirts Sports Aquasphere, Speedo
Everything TRI

Opens April 5, 2008
Monday- Friday 10am ~ 7pm. Sat: 10am-4pm Sun: 11am-4pm
Catering to the First time Triathlete offering, Personal training, Seminars, Wet Suit Rentals,

Everything TRI Multisport is an official USAT Retailer & Proud Sponsor of the Parker TRI Club
"Get it Right the First TRI"

THE RUNNING SHOW...

Saturday March 15th AM 1200 Radio 12:15 Eastern time

You can download the podcast of the show at www.team1200.com

This week, we have a very special treat for Ironman competitors as well as anyone who runs, bikes or swims and especially those looking for inspiration from someone who has faced almost insurmountable obstacles in his life to become an elite athletes, Mark and I will have Jason Lester calling in from Hawaii. Through a close friend, I was able to find out about Jason and his incredible journey as I have detailed below. I would recommend checking out his website, he is truly an extraordinary individual. As I continue to coach the Harvest House marathoners, I am inspired not only by the influences that took them to the hells of addiction but also by their resiliency as they try and become contributing members of society by becoming clean and educated and trying to share their stories to help others. Jason’s story is another one that will inspire you as he has overcome every obstacle thrown at him and he continues to inspire and achieve!

Jason Lester is an Ironman triathlete who has overcome the odds. When he was 3 years old, he was abandoned by his mother, which forced him in & out of foster care until he was eventually reunited with his biological father. When he was 12 years old, Jason was hit by a car, leaving his right arm paralyzed. Shortly after he lost his father to a heart attack. Jason also went on to battle drug addiction and overcame all the obstacles thrown at him to become a competitive Ironman triathlete, successful artist, and movie producer. He is currently training to become the first challenged athlete to complete the Ultraman (2 back-to-back Ironman triathlons). This guy is truly amazing - he can get more done with 1 arm than most people can with 2 arms!

January 26th Hilo to Volcano Ultra Marathon 32 miles

April 13th Arizona IRONMAN

May 24th COWMAN’S – Top of The World Ultra Triathlon Adventure Big Island Hawaii

June 7th ITU World Championships Vancouver, Canada

June 21st AZIMATH 100k CHALLENGE ( Waimea to Hilo Run )

July 20th USAT/PC Nationals New York City Triathlon

Aug. 16th The " Hanakahi Challenge 142.8 mile run in 48 hrs. – Hawaii

Nov. 23rd, 24th, 25th, 2008 ULTRAMAN World Championships - Hawaii

www.inspireunltd.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Poi Planet, for Inspire Pictures
P: 310/699-3196
E: tracy@poiplanet.com

KAILUA-KONA, HI, January 24, 2008 – While most visitors trek to the Hawaiian Islands to experience the pristine beaches, romantic sunsets, and unique regional cuisine, there is an entirely different group of people who annually converge on the Big Isle. They are the Ironman Triathlete. For one specific Ironman, Jason Lester, this tropical paradise is not just a visitor destination to him, but rather it is now his home, and destination of choice to train for the Ultraman World Championships, and the place to document everything that leads up to it.

"A Painted Race" is the documentary, which chronicles what it takes to prepare for this race. It follows every move of Jason, an admired and accomplished Ironman Triathlete, artist, and activist for youth causes, who lives and trains year round in Hawaii and California. Not for the timid, the Ultraman is a grueling event that consists of two Ironman races, back-to-back. This journey consisting of 30 handpicked triathletes, takes them on a racecourse that covers a total distance of 320 miles (515 kilometers), a 6.2 mile (10 K) open ocean swim, a 261.4 mile (421 K) cross-country bike ride, and a 52.4 mile (84K) ultra-marathon run.

Filming, which began in October 2007, details the intense training and toll it takes on the mind, body, and spirit of a committed Triathlete in order to compete in a race of this caliber. Although there have been other challenged athletes who have entered the race, none of them have finished. Jason’s goal will not only be to complete the race, but to also attempt a world record during this ultimate endurance competition.

Capturing the feel of what Jason goes through on film is also a challenge as well. Says Big-Isle based camerman, Don Penner, "Trying to film Jason is like shooting a moving target. I’m really careful about everything being technically good and aesthetically good. I want it to be right, and I want the shot to be right. It can be a dilemma because you only have that one moment when something happens. At the same time, I want to create something that presents Jason’s pursuit, dedication and hard work, artistically."

Don continues, "I want to help Jason tell this story. I think sports are a great analogy for success in life, and I like the idea that maybe what I’m doing here is creating an analogy between a documentary and an athlete pursuing his challenge- his dream. I want to show two sides to the story- two disciplines. There is the filmmaking discipline and the athlete discipline. It’s a lonely sport and you spend a lot of time by yourself. I hope that part comes through in the documentary." Don adds, "We all see the stories of the glory and the finish line- the moment you know? The success. But it’s equally important to show how you got there, and the sacrifices that were made. I think it’s important to balance that out and give an honest percentage to show that part of life, vs. just the training. It wouldn’t be an honest story if we didn’t show the sacrifices made along the way."

Shooting for "A Painted Race" will be complete when Jason crosses the finish line at the Ultraman World Championships scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend, 2008. Once done, the documentary will be available for purchase as well as will be entered into various indie film festivals. For further information on "A Painted Race," go to http://www.apaintedrace.com.

www.neverstopfoundation.org

project : INSPIRE is an inspirational DVD on Ironman Triathlete Jason Lester.

You will be one of the very few who will receive a six-minute promotional DVD entitled "project: INSPIRE," a preview of the documentary, when making a generous donation to help support The NEVER STOP Foundation.

One hundred percent of the proceeds raised from the project: Inspire DVD, will go directly to aid Baan Immanuel Ministries, a Christian ministry located in the northern region of Thailand just outside the city of Chiang Rai. A registered Thai Nonprofit Organization under the umbrella of Blessing Ministries Foundation, the ministry has now grown into four separate facilities and continues to minister to many children of Thailand. Although the ministry is making great strides, there is still much more work to do. With that in mind, a research team from project: Inspire and Jason Lester will be visiting the area in April ’08, not only to assess the situation first-hand, but to work alongside with Acting Director, Ron Miller, in order to continue his good work. The goal of the monies raised from project: Inspire DVD will go directly into building a new orphanage building that will house 100 children.

For further information on Baan Immanuel, go to: http://blessingministriesthailand.com.

The NEVER STOP Foundation is a not-for-profit organization - all of the programs are free of charge, and rely on the support and generosity of the many donors and volunteers. You can support the foundation through monetary donations, volunteering, donating goods and services, and planned giving. 

MAKE A DONATION:  If you would like to make a donation to support the youth programs, you can donate in a number of ways!  

To support project: INSPIRE, please make your check payable to, "The NEVER STOP Foundation," and send to 214 Main Street 271, El Segundo, California.  All donations will go to the production and distribution of Project Inspire DVD’s to churches throughout the nation, to further share his message of hope and inspiration. A portion of the donations will also go to The Never Stop Foundation in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2010, which will serve all youth through the art of athletics.

No matter how you donate, know that each procedure is safe, secure, and private.  And, don’t forget about matching gifts.  If your employer has a corporate matching program, your donation could be worth twice as much. Please speak to your human resource office to find out if your employer qualifies, and then call us with the good news at 310-985-2547.  The NEVER STOP Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation in good standing with the IRS and the California Franchise Tax Board.  All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law (Federal Tax ID Number 26-1688068). 

LOS ANGELES, CA, January 29, 2008 – What does an extreme athlete/artist from the mainland, living in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, have in common with a petite, quiet Hilo Hawaiian girl, living in the urban jungle of Los Angeles? Actually, quite a bit. thewhole9 gallery is proud to present the distinctive art of Jason Lester and Kristie Fujiyama Kosmides. Says gallery director, Lisa Schulz, "It is a unique juxtaposition of abstract interpretation from each of them, but with different intensities. Jason’s work is bold, strong, and passionate, while Kristie’s pieces are soft, calm, and peaceful."

For Jason, a Big Island-based artist and popular Ironman Triathlete; this will be his first show in 13 months, as he has been busy logging in over 800 hours of intense training in order to compete in the race of his life, the Ultraman World Championships (two back-to-back Ironman races completed over a course of three days) in November ’08. For Kristie, a Los Angeles based artist, this will be her first show after taking a short break from a huge commission- creating 800 original pieces due by January ’09 for a 383-room resort in Hilo, Hawaii. For her, she is more than halfway through her race, by already completing 400 of the 8’ x 20" works of art.

For Jason, there is no real difference between creating what he terms "abstrak" art, and preparing for a triathlon. They both call for preparation, dedication, commitment, and… two good feet. Not the traditional artist, Jason doesn’t approach painting with brush in hand, but rather with his soles. That technique is what gives his work a unique look and intense depth, creating bold pieces that are something out of the ordinary. With Kristie, her method or feeling to painting is similar but delivered in a softer way, with her inspiration coming from the vibration, energy, "mana" (Hawaiian for "great power") or good feeling she gets from the soul of a person.

Says Jason, "Art is my drug, and my alcohol. It’s just a form of expression that allows me to express my feelings and allows me to go into an area of myself that nobody or no other situation can bring me. Nothing else can bring me to that zone, to that area of my life." Jason adds, "Every time I create a painting, I look at it like a puzzle. You’re using this color, this stroke, to put together this puzzle, and I never know when I’m finished - until the puzzle’s complete. I have to bring myself out of the equation of creating art because if I allow "Jason" to create a painting, there’s no beauty involved. But God gives me visions of what to create, and then he just uses me as a vessel to create it. People who see my art are inspired, and that’s why I enjoy creating. It has nothing to do with me. I’m not trying to please myself, trying to prove a point, or create something to make myself feel accomplished or content."

With Kristie, there is never a plan as to what she is going to put down on canvas. She says, "I paint when my mind is clear. I don’t even think about what I’m going to paint- it just comes out. I just look at the blank canvas and think a bit. Once it’s primed though, I get my paints and go and paint in my true, free state of mind. It’s when I’m in that mode that ’it’ begins to flow. I don’t think about anything else. She continues, "When I see my work after it’s done- if it looks happy, peaceful, energetic, or reflective- it gives me a chance to see what is going on with me. It surprises me sometimes as to what comes out. When I have nothing on my mind, and I have a good feeling inside, I feel my art is coming from a different place. For me, there are no rules in painting, no rules in creating. There’s no judgment. It’s an honest expression from myself."

Their families heavily influenced both artists. For Jason, art is in his genes and in his blood, as his Grandfather and Father were both artists. Jason recalls, "As a child, I would be out in a restaurant with my Dad, and I’d look over, and he’d be doodling on a napkin in the restaurant. He’d slide the napkin over to me, and it would be a sketch of the person sitting next to us. I was so in awe of his artistic ability that it just intimidated me. It was so natural to him. As well, my Grandfather was a paint contractor for Frank Lloyd Wright."

Kristie’s love for art, which has now blossomed into a thriving career, was introduced to her by her Grandfather. Kristie recalls, "When I was little and growing up in Hilo, I can remember when my grandfather would try and take me to art school. I was excited to go however the art teacher thought I was too young to be in class. But, my grandfather insisted and took me anyway. As I got older, I always received art supplies from my Dad and Mom. Then when I wanted to go to art school for college, they were so supportive."

The works of both Jason and Kristie are internationally collected by the likes of CEO’s of companies, celebrities, and private collectors from all over the world. Although on the surface, they look like two different people with very different personalities, they both walk the same path to creating art that is unique and moving, in their own special way.

"Sole 2 Soul" will be on view at thewhole9 gallery from April 5th through May 17th, with an artist’s reception on April 5th from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. with music provided by DJ Derrick Wize. For further information on the show, go to www.thewhole9gallery.com. For further information on the artists, go to www.apaintedrace.com , www.jplart.com and www.kfkfineart.com.

thewhole9 gallery is affiliated with thewhole9.com, an international community for creative people.  The gallery, which is located in the heart of Culver City’s thriving arts district, features contemporary art from emerging and established artists and photographers throughout the United States and beyond. The gallery prides itself on exhibiting works from artists who are conscious and philanthropic and have a unique life-story.

For further information, contact:
Tracy Larrua/Poi Planet
C: 310.699.3196
E: tracy@poiplanet.com

31 miles from sea level in Hilo to Volcano at 4000 ft.

Aloha Dr. Wayne & Jason

With Ironman Champion Luke Bell

Petr Vabrousek ( 13 Ironmans in 2007 )