For the past ten years, Jodi Nelson has had a successful career in the film and television industry in both Minneapolis and Los Angeles. As a line producer managing relationships, coordinating logistics and maximizing resources, Jodi knows how to make things happen.

A habitual world traveler, SOLO certified Wilderness First Responder and WMI wilderness First Aid graduate, Jodi has been to such places as Kenya, Venezuela, Argentina and Mexico. While experiences of volunteering and active travel were stimulating in their own way, each experience seemed to be lacking what the other could provide. Jodi wanted an all encompassing travel experience that would give back to others yet still satisfy her need for active adventure.

In January of 2007, Jodi decided to fulfill her lifelong dream of launching an adventure travel company. PLAY it Forward Adventures is a new concept in travel, merging active outdoor adventures with humanitarian efforts abroad. The mission is to facilitate life changing connections and empower people around the world.

Jodi believes that donating money to a cause is not the same as building a school in Kenya. Lifting weights is not the same as biking the coffee plantations of Guatemala. PLAY it Forward offers emotionally charged, all encompassing travel experiences that make memories and impressions to last a lifetime.

It’s been nearly ten years since Mateo Hartell packed up his truck and moved to Antigua, Guatemala. Born and raised in the foothills of North Carolina mountain country, his passion for the outdoors and cycling has led him to his profession as an entrepreneur and outdoor adventure guide.

Since 1998, Mateo has made a successful living out of doing what he loves. Not only does he guide tours, but also hires, trains and employs local Guatemalan’s to do the same. Active tours under his leadership have included biking in Guatemala and Equador, diving in Columbia, and climbing/trekking in Bolivia.

A WMA accredited Wilderness First Responder, Mateo’s goal is to provide safe, well organized tours through the back country of Guatemala offering one-of-a-kind, off-road experiences for travelers. Operating an average of 475 tours in Guatemala with over 2200 satisfied customers annually, Mateo thrives on the idea of total strangers coming together to explore the unknown.

Providing a better overall understanding of Guatemalan culture is what Mateo strives for on every adventure.

In 2002, Smart Baitani founded Compassionate Solutions for Africa’s Development, otherwise known as COSAD. Smart feels he has a moral responsibility to contribute to the well-being of his people: “I have been fortunate enough to have opportunities throughout my life. With the help of many friends, I now have the capability to transform my village.”

COSAD’s goal is to create market-based solutions for chronic unemployment among young men and women in Tanzania. Driving COSAD’s vision was Smart's strong community values, and deep compassion for underserved populations. His fierce sense of optimism is driven by his belief that people can become economically independent and productive citizens once obstacles in their paths are removed.

Before coming to America. Smart attended the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania where he studied International Relations, Diplomacy and Public Administration. He now holds an MBA degree from Metropolitan State University in St Paul, Minnesota where his academic concentration included Project Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship.

Smart says, “it takes very little to make a difference in Bukoba. COSAD is already a dream come true for many people, not just a dream in the making.”

For more information about Smart Baitani and COSAD, please visit www.cosad.org.

Hailing from Chickaloon, Alaska, Ben Gorelick has split his nine year guiding career between Alaska and Patagonia. He is a WEA certified Mountaineering Guide, a Wilderness First Responder Instructor, a Leave No Trace Trainer, and an Avalanche Level I Instructor.

Jaya Marr is originally from New Zealand. She has guided for the past nine years in Patagonia, Alaska, and New Zealand. In 2005, she was part of an all women’s team on Denali (Mt. McKinley), the highest peak in North America. She is a WEA Certified Mountaineering Guide, a Leave No Trace Master Educator, a Wilderness First Responder and is an Avalanche Level 1 Instructor.

“The rewards of doing a remote expedition are wide ranging and can have a deep impact on people’s lives. Past clients have said the simplicity of life in the mountains gave them a clarity of vision to make major decisions in their lives and to make changes that had so far eluded them.”

Ben and Jaya’s philosophy of travel hinges on the central concepts of self sufficiency and Leave No Trace principles.