John del Rossi

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John

  • Team Role/Function: Team Healer

  • How did you become a Castaway? The Castaway Godfather, Steve OB, made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

  • Why are you a Castaway? The Castaway mission is near and dear to my heart. In 2021, I lost my dad to colon cancer, so supporting cancer research funding is a mission that's truly meaningful to me. Being a Castaway is my chance to combine two of my passions and make a real difference in the fight against cancer alongside some awesome humans paddling out in some beautiful and wild nature!

  • Outside a kayak/bicycle, what is your "essential" gear? A weird ability to embrace and relish in the suck of a situation coupled with an "eccentric" sense of humor.

  • My Family: I am infinitely grateful to share this wild life journey with my amazing wife, Mary, along with our awesome daughter, Emily, who lights up our world every day.

  • Where are you from? I hail from the tiny village of Miami, Florida.

  • Where'd you go to school? Columbus - Class of '98. I had the awesome opportunity to attend and graduate from the University of Miami for my undergrad, and then I hit the books at Emory for law school. Both experiences were incredible journeys that helped shape who I am today.

  • Where do you work? I hold the exciting roles of General Counsel and Director of Business Development at Biogas Engineering. We're at the forefront of environmental innovation, building state-of-the-art facilities that transform waste into fuel for vehicles. It's all about making a real difference for the planet!

  • Favorite music/artists: I've got a pretty epic lineup of favorite artists – Zac Brown Band, Dave Matthews, Kenny Chesney, Bob Marley, and Jimmy Buffett, just to name a few. My music taste is all over the place, from country to classical, reggae, classic rock, and 90's hip hop. I'm into pretty much everything... well, except for Reggaeton!

  • Favorite movies/genre: I'm a huge fan of documentaries – can't get enough of them. And for a dose of fiction, political thrillers are my go-to, like 'Patriot Games'.

    As for comedies, I'm all about the laughs. Give me anything with Adam Sandler, or classics like 'Dumb and Dumber'. And let's not forget the 80's hits – 'The Great Outdoors', 'European Vacation', and yeah, 'Christmas Vacation' too (I know, it's technically early 90's, but it's a classic!).

    Let's be real though, my daughter is the master of the TV remote so the current reigning household favorite is any Disney princess movie, daily struggle between Belle & Elsa.

  • Favorite books: My top pick for a book has to be 'The Untethered Soul'. I'm really into spiritual and self-improvement stuff.

    I've also got a thing for history and autobiographies. I'm kind of a World War II buff, so 'Operation Paperclip' is right up my alley. On a completely different note, 'Autobiography of a Yogi' is another one of my favorites.

    When it comes to fiction, I can't get enough of 'Shantaram', the Jack Carr series (starting with 'The Terminal List'), and anything by Jimmy Buffett, especially 'A Salty Piece of Land'.

  • Personal Fun Fact: Besides rocking the mainstream world as a lawyer, I also dive into the holistic side of things as a Reiki healer and breathwork coach.
    I'm all about venturing into some of the globe's most secluded spots. For instance, I've immersed myself in the tranquility of a Buddhist monastery in Nepal while exploring the majestic Himalayas. I've trekked through the wild backcountry of Alaska and wandered the beautiful desert landscape of Saguaro National Park. Each journey has been an unforgettable adventure!

  • How have I helped carry out the CAC mission of funding cancer research and honoring those who have fought the fight? I'm grabbing my paddle and joining forces with an incredible crew of kayakers, embarking on a wild journey down to Key West.

    My mission? To raise awareness and as much money as humanly possible to fuel vital cancer research. Every stroke in the water is a step towards honoring those who've bravely battled cancer and pushing forward the fight against this disease.