What does it take to walk across an entire continent?
Rigby’s journey began long before he set foot on African soil. Raised in Turks and Caicos and later Germany, before settling in Toronto, Canada, Rigby’s upbringing instilled in him a deep sense of adventure. From his early days as a track and field athlete competing at a national level to his current role as a leading fitness instructor, Rigby has always been drawn to challenges that test the limits of human endurance.
His journey into the heart of Africa was not a spur-of-the-moment decision but the culmination of years of preparation and soul-searching. Rigby’s first taste of long-distance walking came in the form of a 500-kilometer trek from Toronto to Montreal—a mere warm-up for the monumental feat that lay ahead.
In November 2015, Rigby embarked on his most ambitious adventure yet: Crossing Africa. Setting off from South Africa, he charted a course that would take him through a kaleidoscope of landscapes and cultures, spanning countries such as Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt. From the sun-kissed shores of the Indian Ocean to the rugged peaks of Mount Kenya, Rigby’s journey unfolded like a tapestry of human experience and natural wonder.
But the path to completion was fraught with challenges. Rigby encountered moments of doubt and uncertainty, particularly during his coastal stretches and the grueling ascent of Mount Kenya. Yet, it was precisely these moments of adversity that tested his resilience and strengthened his resolve.
Despite the physical and mental toll of the journey, Rigby found solace in the kindness of strangers. Whether camping under the starlit skies of Mozambique or seeking refuge in the homes of locals in South Africa, Rigby’s expedition was punctuated by moments of human connection and hospitality.
As Rigby crossed the finish line in January 2018, he emerged not only as a conqueror of continents but also as a symbol of determination and courage. His journey serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human adventure and a reminder of the boundless possibilities that await those willing to embark on the road less traveled.
In the aftermath of his expedition, Rigby continues to share his story, inspiring others to embrace adventure and challenge their own limits. Through his experiences, he seeks to ignite a sense of wanderlust and curiosity in those who dare to dream of exploration beyond the confines of the familiar.
As the sun sets on Rigby’s African adventure, his legacy endures—a testament to the power of human resilience and the transformative potential of the journey inward and outward alike.