Sam

Sam Benchegib: Running Across America to Fight Plastic Pollution

Congratulations! You finally have your well-earned diploma after years of surviving college or university. So, what’s next? Finding your dream job, building your network, or maybe taking a gap year to discover yourself and your dreams? Whether your goals are long-term or short-term, having a clear purpose will lead you to an experience of a lifetime. As Sam Benchegib says, “No idea is crazy enough.” His story proves just that—after all, he ran 4,000 miles wearing shoes made from recycled ocean plastic, crossing the United States from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Get ready to dive into Sam’s incredible journey that proves change has to start NOW.

I first discovered Sam through an article about his partnership with Parley Ocean’s recycled plastic shoes titled “OCEAN 2 OCEAN: RUNNING ACROSS AMERICA AND AGAINST PLASTIC POLLUTION.” It blew me away. Sam and his brother Gary have become legends in the fight against plastic pollution. The urgency is real: by 2050, the weight of plastic in the ocean will outweigh the fish if we don’t act.

Plastic production took off in the 1950s, and without proper action, discarded plastic continues to flood our oceans. As macroplastics break down into microplastics, toxins enter marine life—and eventually humans through the food chain. The best way to combat this? Stop plastics before they reach the ocean by installing barriers at river mouths and improving waste management.

Sam grew up on Bali, Indonesia, with his siblings Gary and Kelly. Witnessing the devastating plastic pollution in Bali’s once-pristine waters inspired them to found Make a Change Bali, raising awareness about ocean pollution. The initiative evolved into Make a Change World, a media platform promoting sustainability globally.

When Sam graduated from college, he launched an audacious mission: run from Battery Park in New York to Santa Monica, California, to raise awareness about plastic pollution. Running 20 miles a day, six days a week for six months, Sam shared his message with millions, proving that no idea is too big or too “crazy.”

But the journey wasn’t without hardship. In Flagstaff, Arizona, with just 500 miles to go, Sam’s tendons swelled to three times their size. Doctors told him to stop running. Refusing to quit, Sam switched to walking with hiking poles—12 hours a day for two weeks—to finish his trek.

Along the way, he spoke at schools, met governors, and connected with communities. The most meaningful moments came from inspiring youth, showing them stark images of pollution that grabbed their attention. Sam knew he was making a difference when students and schools began reducing plastic use—some even banning plastic cups and utensils altogether.

Sam’s family, friends, and sponsors ran alongside him for the final three miles, cheering as he finally reached the ocean. Standing there, Sam reflected on the journey—not just the miles, but the deeper lessons. Travelling with his video crew in a winterized RV meant no cold water and sometimes no showers for 15 days. Yet, through this discomfort, he gained a newfound appreciation for life’s simple essentials and realized that sometimes, less is more.

He took over 6.5 million steps across the country, but his most powerful message remains clear: reducing plastic use starts a ripple effect that can create lasting change.

Sam Benchegib’s journey reminds us all that big change begins with small steps—hats off to Sam—and to everyone ready to take that first step toward a healthier planet.

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