NO RISK, NO LIFE

For most people, there comes a time in life when an experience makes them realize it’s time to give back. That planet earth’s resources are not infinite. Ben Valks had his moment of clarity after he lived in the Amazon rainforest for six months, during his quest to encounter a black jaguar in the wild. The drastic deforestation he faced during one of his expeditions led to that moment of clarity. He learned that, as the documentary HOME states, the time to act is now. No Risk, No Life is the exciting account of a man following his dreams, finally resulting in the launch of an inspiring foundation.

At the age of 34, Ben Valks puts his business goals on hold to follow his personal dreams. His story begins in Alaska, where he is the first Dutchman to participate in the 1100 mile Iditarod dog sled race. Sixteen dogs, one sled, and one man struggling with nature and himself. He then rides a motorcycle from Alaska to Argentina, taking him on precarious paths across remote mountain passes, along the longest of rivers, and through Amazonia on ‘Death Road’. In Brazil, he goes on a nerve-racking search for the black jaguar, the most elusive feline on earth.

After coming face to face with the destruction of the South American rainforest, Ben returns home to initiate the Black Jaguar Foundation. He invites you to join the BJF to help make its dream a reality: to realize the world’s longest nature corridor and one of South America’s largest reforestation projects. This dream belongs to all of us and how we pursue it will impact our lives and the lives of generations to come.

No Risk, No Life truly is a fully sponsored production. Writer Brenda Smeenge, translator Jolanda Treffers, and editor Virginia Hamilton have all generously contributed their time and talent as a donation to the Black Jaguar Foundation. Even the offsetting and printing of the book have been sponsored. All proceeds of the book go to the Black Jaguar Foundation and will help achieve its goals.