Media Contact: Lumbie Mlambo
817-705-6212
press@thelongestswim.com

News Release- March 3, 2012

For Immediate Release

Swimming Against the Tide to Inspire, Encourage, and Give Back

DALLAS, Texas (The Longest Swim) March 3, 2012 – The cross-Pacific swim is the longest swim ever attempted. For the long-distance swimmer, Ben Lecomte, this huge undertaking is a symbol of motivation, inspiration, endurance and an opportunity to give back. Overcoming obstacles against impossible odds, he will swim to not only to do something that has never been done before, but to also inspire others to never give up and to follow their dreams.

Lecomte is the first man to successfully swim across the Atlantic Ocean and has been training for his next swim across the Pacific Ocean. Lecomte notes that “Swimming 5500 miles and not exactly knowing what could happen from one day to the next is an enormous endeavor. But in a way it’s the same endeavor the average citizen is currently facing right now in the job market… uncertainty and fear.” The swim is scheduled to start April 14, 2012 off the shores of Tokyo, Japan and ending in San Francisco, California. Lecomte’s journey is targeted for completion in less than six months.

“The power of thought, encouragement, inspiration, and innovation is what this country was founded on and is the reason I became an American Citizen... I see this as a phenomenal opportunity to give back!,” says Lecomte, “I took a deep look into this project and endeavor, and thought about it with a heavy heart. I know that everyone is surviving in their own way right now, and there is no guarantee on what the future holds for either you or me. But, I feel that the ocean represents the general hardships people face today and is a unique representation for our economy. It just means that we need to get through it and survive whatever we’re currently facing. For me that will be “Swimming Against the Tide” to keep my dreams alive and to encourage you to never give up.”

Averaging 40 miles daily, Ben will swim eight hours (in four-hour segments), seven days a week. He will perform what is known as a “stage swim”, meaning with the help of a Global Positioning System (G.P.S), he will start swimming in the exact location he left the water, thus enabling him to be eligible for a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest open water swim.

Ridgeline Entertainment, owned by producer Doug Stanley, two-time Emmy Award winner for Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, is creating a documentary series of Ben’s swim and the events leading up to. A camera crew will be on board the ship to film every step of the way until Ben arrives in California. Stanley is also known for his work on Lobster Wars, as well as Animal Planet’s Last American Cowboy and the Country Music Channel’s American Soldier.

About Ben Lecomte
Ben Lecomte, born in Enghien Les Bains, France, became the first man to ever swim across the Atlantic Ocean on September 25, 1998. His passion to swim long distance escalated when he lost his father to cancer. This fed Ben’s already ambitious appetite to tackle the ocean waters and prompted him to dedicate his journey across the Atlantic to the memory of his father. He will dedicate his Pacific swim again to his father and to many people struggling to make ends meet. Ben graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Masters in Architecture. Prior to that, Ben graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor in Business Administration, specializing in marketing. To learn more about Ben and his Pacific swim, visit www.thelongestswim.com and subscribe to the newsletter to keep up on the latest events leading up to as well as throughout Ben’s swim.

About Ridgeline Entertainment
Ridgeline Entertainment, LLC is a state-of-the-art motion picture and television production company founded and run by Doug Stanley. Stanley has been honored with seven Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and he won the 2008 Primetime Emmy Award for his work producing Discovery Channel's hit show Deadliest Catch. With two decades of production experience, Stanley’s experience in 2D and 3D television production is extensive. He was also one of the first 3DTV executives in the world, delivering many 3D “firsts". Stanley is the longest-standing producer of "Deadliest Catch." For more information, visit www.ridgelineent.com.

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Media Contact: Lumbie Mlambo
817-705-6212
press@thelongestswim.com

News Release- March 3, 2012

For Immediate Release

Swimming Against the Tide to Inspire, Encourage, and Give Back

DALLAS, Texas (The Longest Swim) March 3, 2012 – The cross-Pacific swim is the longest swim ever attempted. For the long-distance swimmer, Ben Lecomte, this huge undertaking is a symbol of motivation, inspiration, endurance and an opportunity to give back. Overcoming obstacles against impossible odds, he will swim to not only to do something that has never been done before, but to also inspire others to never give up and to follow their dreams.

Lecomte is the first man to successfully swim across the Atlantic Ocean and has been training for his next swim across the Pacific Ocean. Lecomte notes that “Swimming 5500 miles and not exactly knowing what could happen from one day to the next is an enormous endeavor. But in a way it’s the same endeavor the average citizen is currently facing right now in the job market… uncertainty and fear.” The swim is scheduled to start April 14, 2012 off the shores of Tokyo, Japan and ending in San Francisco, California. Lecomte’s journey is targeted for completion in less than six months.

“The power of thought, encouragement, inspiration, and innovation is what this country was founded on and is the reason I became an American Citizen... I see this as a phenomenal opportunity to give back!,” says Lecomte, “I took a deep look into this project and endeavor, and thought about it with a heavy heart. I know that everyone is surviving in their own way right now, and there is no guarantee on what the future holds for either you or me. But, I feel that the ocean represents the general hardships people face today and is a unique representation for our economy. It just means that we need to get through it and survive whatever we’re currently facing. For me that will be “Swimming Against the Tide” to keep my dreams alive and to encourage you to never give up.”

Averaging 40 miles daily, Ben will swim eight hours (in four-hour segments), seven days a week. He will perform what is known as a “stage swim”, meaning with the help of a Global Positioning System (G.P.S), he will start swimming in the exact location he left the water, thus enabling him to be eligible for a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest open water swim.

Ridgeline Entertainment, owned by producer Doug Stanley, two-time Emmy Award winner for Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, is creating a documentary series of Ben’s swim and the events leading up to. A camera crew will be on board the ship to film every step of the way until Ben arrives in California. Stanley is also known for his work on Lobster Wars, as well as Animal Planet’s Last American Cowboy and the Country Music Channel’s American Soldier.

About Ben Lecomte
Ben Lecomte, born in Enghien Les Bains, France, became the first man to ever swim across the Atlantic Ocean on September 25, 1998. His passion to swim long distance escalated when he lost his father to cancer. This fed Ben’s already ambitious appetite to tackle the ocean waters and prompted him to dedicate his journey across the Atlantic to the memory of his father. He will dedicate his Pacific swim again to his father and to many people struggling to make ends meet. Ben graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Masters in Architecture. Prior to that, Ben graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor in Business Administration, specializing in marketing. To learn more about Ben and his Pacific swim, visit www.thelongestswim.com and subscribe to the newsletter to keep up on the latest events leading up to as well as throughout Ben’s swim.

About Ridgeline Entertainment
Ridgeline Entertainment, LLC is a state-of-the-art motion picture and television production company founded and run by Doug Stanley. Stanley has been honored with seven Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and he won the 2008 Primetime Emmy Award for his work producing Discovery Channel's hit show Deadliest Catch. With two decades of production experience, Stanley’s experience in 2D and 3D television production is extensive. He was also one of the first 3DTV executives in the world, delivering many 3D “firsts". Stanley is the longest-standing producer of "Deadliest Catch." For more information, visit www.ridgelineent.com.

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This approach is based on the simple following principal. Our behavior is driven by mainly two factors, pleasure and pain; we either act to get pleasure or to avoid pain. So I have two sets of images. One is comprised of pictures charged with negative emotions and pain and I visualize that if I don’t push myself all these negative emotions and pain are going to take place. I see myself failing and hear people tell me, “You are such a loser!” That gets my attention.

Then I access the second set of pictures, those charged with positive emotions and pleasure, everything I ever wanted to experiment. I visualize all these situations and believe that all those good things will take place if I get through this mental blockage.

The combination of visualizing powerful, negative images and then positive ones usually does get my brain back on track, but if it doesn’t, then I go back and repeat the process to more negative and then positive images until I am out of the hole.

The key is to have all those negative and positive images already stored in your mind and ready to be accessed when you hit the mental wall. During critical moments you don’t want to spend time building them. You will have to practice to determine which pictures and situations work best for you. Enjoy your electroshock and keep on going!

Media Contact: Lumbie Mlambo
817-705-6212
press@thelongestswim.com

News Release- February 1, 2012

For Immediate Release

DALLAS, Texas (The Longest Swim) February 1, 2012 – Kevin Levar, award winning Gospel recording artist, author and founder of the independent Gospel label, “God’s Glorified Music” will be performing at Agape Christian Fellowship in Arlington, TX at 7:00pm CST on Tuesday, February 28th, 2012. Agape Christian Fellowship along with Clark’s Consultant Group will be hosting the benefit concert for long-distance swimmer, Ben “Ben” Lecomte, whose goal is to raise funds for cancer research by attempting “The Longest Swim” in history.

Lecomte is the first man to successfully swim across the Atlantic Ocean and has been training for his next swim across the Pacific Ocean. Lecomte’s mission is to raise funds for cancer research, as he did when he swam across the Atlantic. The swim is scheduled to start April 14, 2012 off the shores of Tokyo, Japan and ending in San Francisco, California, a distance of approximately 5,500 miles. Lecomte’s journey is targeted for completion in less than six months.

Averaging 40 miles daily, Ben will swim eight hours (in four-hour segments), seven days a week. He will perform what is known as a “stage swim”, meaning with the help of a Global Positioning System (G.P.S), he will start swimming in the exact location he left the water, thus enabling him to be eligible for a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest open water swim.

Expected to speak at the benefit concert are Susan Campbell (Executive Vice President of The Cooper Institute) and former Texas State District Judge, Faith Johnson (Oversight Committee member of Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)). Sharing their cancer survival struggles will be Sheila Bailey (Sheila B. Ministries/E. K. Bailey Ministries), Suzette Caldwell (Senior Pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church), Thelma Wells (A Woman of God Ministries), and Willie Dean (President of YMCA, Arlington, TX).

Ridgeline Entertainment, owned by producer Doug Stanley, two-time Emmy Award winner for Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, is creating a documentary series of Ben’s swim and the events leading up to. A camera crew will be on board the ship to film every step of the way until Ben arrives in California. Stanley is also known for his work on Lobster Wars, as well as Animal Planet’s Last American Cowboy and the Country Music Channel’s American Soldier.

About Ben Lecomte
Ben “Ben” Lecomte, born in Enghien Les Bains, France, became the first man to ever swim across the Atlantic Ocean on September 25, 1998. His passion to swim long distance escalated when he lost his father to cancer. This fed Ben’s already ambitious appetite to tackle the ocean waters and prompted him to dedicate his journey across the Atlantic to the memory of his father and to helping raise funds for cancer research. He will dedicate his Pacific swim again to his father. Ben graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Masters in Architecture. Prior to that, Ben graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor in Business Administration, specializing in marketing. To learn more about Ben and his Pacific swim, visit www.thelongestswim.com and subscribe to the newsletter to keep up on the latest events leading up to as well as throughout Ben’s swim.

About Kevin Levar
Kevin LeVar is a Washington, DC native, and a gifted author, preacher, songwriter, recording artist, and man of prayer. Kevin is founder and president of independent gospel label God Glorified Music, Inc. (GGM). GGM Inc. partnered with Universal Music Christian Group for the national release of Kevin's debut project "Let's Come Together." Kevin is known for his first single, "You Are Not Alone", that was written to encourage families impacted by the VA Tech shootings. The song and video shot to #1 on Gospel Music Channel and earned a 2009 Gospel Music Channel Video Award "Best Video" nomination. With over 200 songs in his catalog, Kevin has received honorable mention in the John Lennon Worldwide Songwriters Contest and his music has been recorded by Stellar, Dove, and Grammy Award winning artists. Kevin has been a regular guest on Christian television and radio programs, such as BET's Bobby Jones Gospel, Hour of Power (from the Crystal Cathedral), Daystar's Celebration, Babbie's House, Atlanta Live, 100 Huntley Street, TBN's Praise the Lord, TCT's Alive and Rejoice!, INSP's Camp Meeting, RadioOne, Sirius XM and many more. He has also shared his gift of song at Super Bowl XLIII, Stellar Awards Gospel Brunch, RadioOne One Love Cruise 2009, Rosa Parks Breakfast, The Dream Center (Los Angeles and New York), Bishop TD Jakes' The Potter's House (Dallas) and Israel Houghton's Deeper Level Conference to name a few. For more information, visit www.kevinlevar.com.

About Agape Christian Fellowship
Agape Christian Fellowship was founded by Dr. Renee Hornbuckle in 1991. Dr. Hornbuckle serves as Senior Pastor of Agape. Her ministry is dedicated to training men and women to use practical and biblical principles that empower them to live a fulfilled and enriched life. She has been the guest on many television and radio shows including Good Morning Texas, Insights, Celebration and The Potter's Touch. Dr. Hornbuckle has hosted several guests on the Trinity Broadcasting Network and has been featured in several magazines and newspapers such as the Equanimity, Dallas Morning News, Women's Enterprise and The Gazette. Dr. Renee is the author of several empowerment books, and has been an instructor and faculty board member for The Potter's House God's Leading Ladies Enrichment Program hosted by Bishop T.D. Jakes. For more information, visit www.agapecf.org.

About Clark’s Consultant Group
Established in 2001 by Thurman & Shirley Clark, Clark’s Consultant Group’s main focus is helping people in all walks of life attain their dreams and destinies. Clark’s Consultant Group is comprised of six major departments: A Writers’ Agency, PR & Marketing, Event Planning, Corporate Training & Coaching, Entertainment & Management Service, and a Leadership Institute. Some of their clients and organizations they have service are: AT & T, Tarrant County Housing Assistance, Epitome Magazine, Faith Johnson & Associates Law Firm, Governor Rick Perry’s Prayer Initiative, The NFL Gospel Super Bowl Celebration, The Rosa Parks Institute, and Bishop T. D. Jakes’ VIP Bishop Circle Gala and many more. For more information, visit www.clarksconsultantgroup.com.

About Ridgeline Entertainment
Ridgeline Entertainment, LLC is a state-of-the-art motion picture and television production company founded and run by Doug Stanley. Stanley has been honored with seven Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and he won the 2008 Primetime Emmy Award for his work producing Discovery Channel's hit show Deadliest Catch. With two decades of production experience, Stanley’s experience in 2D and 3D television production is extensive. He was also one of the first 3DTV executives in the world, delivering many 3D “firsts". Stanley is the longest-standing producer of "Deadliest Catch." For more information, visit www.ridgelineent.com.

About The Cooper Institute®
Established in 1970 by Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH, The Cooper Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to health research and education, housing one of the world’s largest databases on exercise and health. This year CI launched TodayIWill.com funded by CPRIT to provide tested weight loss skills proven to help make lasting changes. The site will also offer reliable online continuing education for physicians and nurses to support their patients. For more information, visit CooperInstitute.org or TodayIWill.com

"Are you looking to kick off your near year with some inspiration? We may have the story for you." A North Texas man is using a nearby lake to train for a cross-Pacific swim. Ben Lecomte lives in Grand Prairie. He’s planning to plunge into the Pacific Ocean in just a few months. It will be one of the longest swims on record and he’s doing it all to raise awareness about cancer."

Watch the full interview and read the transcript here on CW33.

Aired on January 6, 2012

There were three main rules that helped me to stay focused and motivated during my Atlantic swim and you too can follow them to keep your New Year resolutions. The rules are very simple but at times can be very challenging to apply.

1) Look back at what you already accomplished and enjoy your achievements.

2) Live in the moment because it is already in the past.

3) Never project yourself in the future difficulties that lie ahead.

But how you might say? Each time I started to doubt myself I would go back to the three fundamental rules above and go through them one by one.

For the first rule, I reminded myself of what I had already accomplished, the challenges I overcame, the discovery I made about myself and my ability to push my limits. I focused on the weeks I had spent swimming, the 100’s of miles I had already covered and the amount of determination it took.

For the second rule, I reminded myself to live in the moment because I knew that the present moment would be lost forever. I reminded myself about the purpose of my swim, that I was living an amazing adventure; I was following my dream.

For the third rule, I reminded myself to never look toward the future. I restrained myself from thinking about the next day, the next week or the next month as I knew how difficult it was to stay motivated thinking about the challenges and pain I had to face in the upcoming days.

No matter how small or big the challenges are that we face, those three rules apply to all. What is important to realize is that the journey will be the most memorable; not the goal.