Welcome to Sonoran Odyssey!
Our project follows ultrarunner and super yacht chef Helgi Olafson as he prepares for the 2025 Arizona Monster 300 Ultramarathon, overcoming hip pain caused by Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI) and living with Ankylosing Spondylitis. The film emphasizes mental health, resilience, and teamwork, with fellow super yacht crew supporting his journey. The project invites sponsors to fund the film, with proceeds benefiting the Spondylitis Association of America (SAA).
" Through this grueling 300-mile race, and the training it will take to prepare, I aim to inspire others who face their own battles, demonstrating that the human spirit, combined with sheer determination, can overcome any obstacle. " - Helgi Olafson
Documentary Objectives
1. Raise Awareness:
Highlight mental health challenges and physical resilience, particularly through Helgi Olafson’s journey, to inspire audiences.
2. Support Medical Research:
Generate funds to benefit the Spondylitis Association of America (SAA), supporting those living with spondyloarthritis.
3. Foster Collaboration:
Showcase the power of teamwork, drawing on Helgi’s yacht crew and their collective efforts in the film.
4. Engage the Ultramarathon Community:
Promote the benefits of ultrarunning for people battling their own struggles, helping them understand they are not alone and that supportive communities are accessible to a wide audience.
GOALS
1. Raise $15,000 - $20,000 in Sponsorship Funds:
Secure sufficient financial backing to cover production costs and ensure a high-quality documentary. (production, editing, crew vehicle, crew accommodation, crew supplies etc.)
2. Increase Awareness for SAA:
Drive donations and visibility for the Spondylitis Association of America through the film.
3. Inspire Action:
Encourage viewers to take up endurance challenges or be inspired to join the mental mental health conversation through Helgi's story.
Helgi Olafson
Athlete
Helgi Olafson is a professional super yacht chef, ultrarunner, and health advocate living with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). He uses endurance sports to raise awareness of his condition and promote a “movement as medicine” approach. Helgi has completed over 14 200-mile ultramarathons, including multiple finishes in the Triple Crown of 200s. He is also the race director of The Mighty Gallatin 300, a challenging 300-mile stage run through Montana's Rockies, where the first-ever finisher was recorded in 2024 after 40 attempts.
14+ 200-Mile Ultramarathons: Including finishes in the Triple Crown of 200s (2018, 2021, 2023).
"Race Director of The Mighty Gallatin 300:" Created a grueling 300-mile stage race with 72,000 feet of elevation gain.
Health Advocacy: Uses his journey with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) to inspire others and promote physical and mental resilience.
Projects & Media
Helgi's Diagnoses
Helgi has been battling severe hip pain, initially thinking running would ease his ankylosing spondylitis (AS) symptoms. However, in early 2024, he was diagnosed with femoral acetabular impingement (FAI), a condition affecting his hip joints. Instead of surgery, he's following a rehab plan with physical therapists to restore functionality, aiming to return to peak form for his 15th +200-mile race in Arizona. His journey emphasizes the importance of mobility for both physical and mental health, inspiring others facing similar challenges.
Making it to the Start Line
Despite the challenges of training with femoral acetabular impingement (FAI) and managing ankylosing spondylitis (AS), Helgi is determined to conquer the 308-mile finish line within the 170-hour cut-off. His journey exemplifies perseverance and resilience, inspiring others to face their challenges with courage and optimism. This documentary will reveal that, for even the most experienced ultramarathon runners, the journey is often far from easy.
Alex Haubrich
Film Maker
Alex began his yachting journey in 2011 as a deckhand. His passion for the luxury yachting industry evolved into helping yacht crew, captains, and yachting businesses navigate the digital realm.
As the founder of YachtieWorld, Alex created a platform that connects and showcases inspiring individuals and experiences in the industry. He helps yachting professionals build their digital presence and create growth opportunities.
Believing in the power of social media, Alex aims to amplify their stories, support businesses, and highlight extraordinary adventures. His mission is to uplift the yachting community, guided by the motto "We rise by lifting others," inviting everyone to embark on a new digital journey together.
Noah Jackson
Cinematographer / Licensed Drone Pilot
Noah is a storyteller who has worked in more than 30 countries filming and photographing with people who want to change the world, from the rainforests of Borneo to glaciers of Montana. He’s worked with farmers, adventure athletes, and individuals who want to leave the world a better place. Noah's cinematography has been featured in several short films and he has several projects in production. His work has been published by The Rainforest Alliance, World Wildlife Fund-Malaysia, Grasslands, LLC, The Malaysian Nature Society, and elsewhere. When Noah isn't shooting or editing films, he’s often training for ultramarathons in the mountains of Montana.
Super Yacht Crew Unite
Helgi Olafson’s mission to complete a 300-mile ultramarathon has rallied his colleagues, including Leon Oosthuizen, Charl Minnaar, and Ben Lawrenz. Despite limited training time at sea, they’ve embraced the challenge, working together to pace Helgi and document his journey. This collaboration not only strengthens their commonality as super yacht crew but also highlights the power of resilience, promoting mental health awareness and camaraderie. Through shared goals, they inspire greatness both on and off the water.
Meet Helgi's Support Crew
Kylie Scott
Kylie trained as a competitive Irish dancer for 15 years, competing in two world championships, before discovering endurance sports. She began her journey with a biathlon through the Project Athena Foundation, where she met her coach, a former Army Ranger, who inspired her to push her limits. Kylie quickly fell in love with running, completing several ultramarathons and often placing first in her division. After suffering a stress fracture while preparing for the Daytona 100, she embraced recovery as an opportunity to grow stronger, both physically and mentally. Now supporting Helgi in the Arizona Monster 300, she finds inspiration in his resilience and values the sense of community in endurance sports.
Charl Minnaar
Charl started road running 2.5 years ago to stay active during yacht stops, discovering its benefits for his mental health and allowing him to enjoy his favorite foods. He loves trail running in South Africa and Florida, and he’s excited to explore more of the U.S. After learning about Helgi, they ran a few trails together, and Charl joined Helgi’s inaugural “Capture the Flags Ultra” in North Carolina, completing 60 km with 3,000 feet of elevation despite minimal training. Inspired by Helgi’s spirit, Charl is eager to tackle races like Badwater 135, Moab 240, and Leadville 100. Pacing Helgi in the Arizona Monster 300 is a way to return the favor for the support Helgi gave him in his first ultra.
Ben Lawrenz
Ben has been trail running on and off since 2019, starting in Cape Town's Newlands Forest while studying at UCT. Though sporadic, trail running is his favorite, and he’s been hiking since childhood. In early 2024, Ben met Helgi and participated in the Capture the Flags Ultra test event in North Carolina. Despite the unpredictability of his Super Yacht career, Ben realized ultrarunning is a lifelong passion after the event. The Arizona Monster 300 presents an exciting opportunity for him, and being invited to pace Helgi is an honor, marking a full-circle moment in his journey into ultrarunning.
Leon Oosthuizen
Leon found his passion for running two years ago after a tough period marked by depression and a breakup. After nearly a decade in yachting, he moved to Cape Town, joined a trail running group, and completed his first half-marathon trail and ultra within months. In 2023, he adopted Liam, his dog, and together they embrace running and adventure. Today, Leon runs consistently, using toebeans therapy, and hopes to inspire others to find strength through sport.
Samantha Urffer
Crew Chief
- Samantha enters into this project and adventure as Crew Chief and pacer while also helping with production work behind the scenes to help tell a compelling story. Transferring out of nightlife events and promotions, she now uses her marketing skills along with her knowledge from working in AI research and development to bring ideas and efficiency to the project while maintaining human authenticity. Samantha co-founded Ecopath Endurance with Helgi and has supported many of his races over the years. Samantha hopes to brighten the morale by bringing in themes similar to those in her nightlife days and she’s committed to helping the team get Helgi to the finishline.
NonProfit Partner
Spondylitis Association of America (SAA)
25% of the sponsorship funds will be donated to the Spondylitis Association of America (SAA), a nationally recognized 501c3 non-profit, to support essential research initiatives and programs. Helgi has been fundraising for SAA since 2011. If donations exceed expenses, any profits for this film will be donated entirely to SAA.
Sponsorship Levels and benefits
Visionary Sponsorship $5,000+
- Primary Brand to host the documentary launch on their YouTube channel or platform of choice.
- Primary Brand promotion in the opening credits of the film (Example: "Presented by: your company")
- Product placement within multiple segments of the film to highlight your brand.
- Primary Brand logo placement on social media promotion of the film.
- Primary Brand logo placement on teaser trailer (~60s short) for social media promotion of film.
- 36" x 18" magnetic decal of logo on crew van during race.
Trailblazer Sponsorship $2,000+
- Supporting Brand promotion in the opening credits of the film (Example: "In association with: your company").
- Product placement within a brief segment of the film to highlight your brand.
- Supporting Brand logo placement on social media promotion of the film.
- Supporting Brand logo placement on teaser trailer (~60s short) for social media promotion of film.
- 24" x 12" magnetic decal of logo on crew van during race.
Foundational Sponsorship $500+
- Foundational Brand or Name Recognition promotion in closing credits of the film.
- Foundational Brand logo placement on social media promotion of the film.
- Foundational Brand logo placement in credits of teaser trailer (~60s short) for social media promotion of film.
Community Support (Any Amount)
- To explore this sponsorship tier, please visit our GoFundMe Page
Join us on this journey!
Support Helgi Olafson’s ultramarathon journey and help spread the word! Get involved, cheer on the runners, and share in the excitement. Let’s unite the ultramarathon and yachting communities globally!
Contact
Thank you for your consideration
Sincerely, Alex Haubrich & Helgi Olafson.
Photo Credits: Howie Stern; Scott Rokis; Nathaniel Bailey; Anastasia Wilde; Helgi Olafson, Samantha Urffer