June 30, 2009

Johnny Strange

Posted: 03:31 PM ET
Johnny Strange, 17, is the youngest person to climb seven summits.
Johnny Strange, 17, is the youngest person to climb seven summits.

This is a first. I get to feature someone who beat the world record of another young person I featured. Samantha Larson was one of our first "Young People Who Rock." She was then the youngest person to reach the Seven Summits at 18, an extraordinary feat. Now, Johnny Strange holds the the record.

At 17, he Johnny completed a journey he started with his dad five years ago. There is one climb per continent, including Mount Everest and Mount McKinley. His final summit climb was Australia's 7,310-foot Mount Kosiuszko.

Johnny didn't leave the tallest for last. He says that was because he wanted to appreciate the lone experience and not just part of the seven summit goal. At the end, he sent an email to his friends and family saying, "Never let anyone stifle your dreams no matter the feat, for if you have the heart and the courage, impossible is nothing."

Update: Watch the CNN.com Live interview

Filed under: Adventurers • Amazing talents • Under 20 • Youngest in the class


Share this on:
February 22, 2009

Jessica Cox

Posted: 02:50 PM ET
Jessica Cox, 25, born without arms, is training to become a sport pilot instructor.
Jessica Cox, 25, born without arms, is training to become a sport pilot instructor.

Whether it’s swimming, gymnastics or tap dancing as a kid or driving and flying as a young adult, this girl does it all, with her feet!

Doctors still don’t know why Jessica Cox, 25, was born without arms. Sonograms and other prenatal tests didn’t reveal her rare congenital condition. Jessica sees that condition, though, as an exercise in imagination. To put clothes on, she uses a dressing hook. To type her college papers, she used her toes.

“For the most part I don’t think about the restrictions or how I can’t do something. I think about how I can make it happen,” Jessica says. For some years growing up, she wore prosthetic arms, but hated them. She felt it was more important to be true to herself and be proud of her accomplishments, some that most people with all four limbs can’t even tackle!

Update: Watch the CNN.com Live interview

Filed under: Adventurers • Amazing talents • Athletes • Stereotype busters


Share this on:
June 3, 2008

Zac Sunderland

Posted: 01:24 PM ET
Zac Sunderland, 16, plans to sail around the world in a boat that he and his father fixed up.
Zac Sunderland, 16, plans to sail around the world in a boat that he and his father fixed up.

Some dreams, it seems, probably will remain just that: distant, whimsical, cinematic adventures. That’s what you probably think when “sailing around the world” comes to mind. Not so for 16-year-old Zac Sunderland.

Zac wants to set a record for being the youngest person to sail around the world solo, and he hopes to complete the journey before he turns 18. He grew up sailing and is about to set off on a well-researched trip that will take him to Micronesia; Cape Town, South Africa; and through the Panama Canal in a boat he fixed up with his dad.

Throughout his journey, Zac will be blogging. Aside from his dad meeting him at strategic locations along the way, Zac will be alone. He will have a gallon of teriyaki sauce he’s already bought in anticipation of catching his meals, along with malaria drugs, a gurney-like bed and, after it’s all over, he hopes, a record.

Update: Watch the CNN.com Live interview

Filed under: Adventurers • Under 20


Share this on:

subscribe RSS Icon
About this blog

Nicole LapinYoung People Who Rock is a weekly interview series focused on people under 30 - from CEOs to entertainers to athletes to community and political leaders - who are doing remarkable things. Nicole Lapin finds them and introduces them here by writing a weekly column that goes out in time for you to chime in before she interviews them Fridays on CNN.com Live.

Watch a video explainer

Contact Nicole
Get Involved

Know someone who rocks?
Maybe your neighbor or your friend? Let us know.

Got a question for the interview?
Fire up your camera and send it in, then look for your video on CNN.com Live.

Powered by WordPress.com VIP