Robyn Benincasa

Robyn Benincasa is an American adventure racer, firefighter, author, and motivational speaker. She was a member of Team Eco-Internet, which won the 2000 Eco-Challenge: The Expedition Race in Borneo. She is also the founder of the Project Athena Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports people recovering from medical or traumatic setbacks through endurance-based events.

Early life and education

Benincasa competed in several sports while growing up, including gymnastics, diving, track, and cross-country running. She attended Arizona State University, where she competed as a springboard diver.

Athletic career

Adventure racing

Benincasa competed in expedition-length adventure races during the 1990s and 2000s. In 1995, she was part of an all-female team that completed the Raid Gauloises, an international adventure race involving disciplines such as trekking, mountain biking, paddling, and navigation.

She later competed in the Eco-Challenge series. In 2000, Benincasa was part of Team Eco-Internet, which won the Eco-Challenge event held in Borneo. The book draws on her experience in adventure racing and team-based endurance events.

She has also worked as a motivational speaker, with presentations focused on teamwork and leadership.

Selected bibliography

Benincasa, Robyn (2012). How Winning Works: 8 Essential Leadership Lessons From the Toughest Teams on Earth. Don Mills, Ontario: Harlequin Enterprises. ISBN 978-0-373-89255-6. OCLC 754389902.