MISSION’s softball player Jessica Mendoza will become president of the organization next year.

The Women’s Sports Foundation—the leading authority on the participation of women and girls in sports—advocates for equality, educates the public, conducts research and offers grants to promote sports and physical activity for girls and women. Founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, the Women’s Sports Foundation builds on her legacy as a champion athlete, advocate of social justice and agent of change. The WSF strives for gender equity and fight discrimination in all aspects of athletics.

“I see this award as a reflection of the accomplishments of all my teammates this year. It is a huge honor to be named to this list of amazing women who have won this award in past years,” said Mendoza. “I also love that WSF has recognized more than just athletic achievements, but what athletes are doing to give back and keep women’s sports progressing to the future.”

Congrats Jessica!

MISSION’s athlete, Alonzo Mourning, is off to promote his new book, Resilience.

From petitioning himself into foster care as a ten-year-old, to studying his way onto the Dean’s list at Georgetown, to battling his way into superstar status in the NBA, Alonzo Mourning’s internal strength, belief, and determination have driven him his entire life.  But it was not until he was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease and underwent a kidney transplant in 2003 that Mourning realized the true nature of his RESILIENCE.

In September 2000, Alonzo Mourning was on the top of the world. He had a huge new contract with the NBA’s Miami Heat, a new Olympic gold medal, and a second beautiful child; all to go with fame and fabulous fortune. But it was also then that he was diagnosed with a rare, incurable and degenerative kidney disease, Focal Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Rocked by reality, Mourning’s will would soon be tested to its limits.  But true to his nature, Mourning vowed to overcome FSGS and to help raise awareness. Over the next three years he went in and out of retirement, donated an entire season’s salary to charity, retired again and finally, in 2003, after a frantic search for a donor match, found all of his six feet ten inches, 255 pounds lying “as helpless as an infant” in a hospital recovery room.

Blessed with a new kidney and a new outlook on life, Mourning vowed to make this second chance count, to rededicate himself to others and open up his hard exterior. As he worked himself back into shape, Alonzo started his first charitable foundation, which had raised more than $6 million for various organizations that aid at-risk children; in 2003 he opened his first youth center in Miami, Florida. And though most expected he would never play again, in 2006 Mourning helped lead the Miami Heat to its first NBA championship.

Resilience is an inspirational memoir by the NBA champion, Olympic gold medalist, and kidney transplant survivor whose charitable foundations help countless people in communities throughout the country.

Alonzo will be doing book signing at the following places:

Wed, Oct 1st
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
NBA Store
666 5th Ave; New York, NY 10103

Wed, Oct 1st
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Barnes and Noble
3040 M Street NW; Washington, DC 20007

Thurs, Oct 2nd
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Barnes and Noble
1212 Greenbrier Parkway; Chesapeake, VA 23330

Fri, October 3rd
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Barnes & Noble
12405 N. Kendall Drive; Miami, FL 33186

Mon, Oct 6th
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Eso Wan books
4331 Degnan Blvd; Los Angeles, CA 90008

Wed, Oct 8th
12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Borders Bookstore
150 North State St; Chicago, IL 60601

Fri, Oct 10th
7:00 p.m.to 9:00 p.m.
Barnes and Noble
2900 Peachtree Road NE; Atlanta, GA 30305

Here’s this morning’s interview from KTVU with Charlie:

We’ll of course keep you up to date on his progress as the run evolves, but be sure to check out his Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/charlieengle

Ian Hibell, a legendary endurance cyclist, was killed this past August by a hit and run driver in Greece.  He was 74.

Using two wheels to begin his exploration of the world, Ian set out on his journey in 1963 on what was initially supposed to be a two year sabbatical.  His feats include:

- The first man to ride pole to pole (Africa to Alaska)

- Covering 6,000 miles a year for 40 years (the distance from the Earth to the Moon)

- Exploring areas of the African jungle, having his tent eaten by ants, and being sniffed by a lion

We salute Ian Hibell, and wish his family the best.

If running across the United States in record time is something you can’t fathom,  and most of us can’t, imagine being able to get into the mind of someone who is.  Charlie Engle, one of the co-founders of MISSION Product famous for running acrcoss the Sahara Desert in 111 consecutive days, is running across the U.S. begining September 13th.

Charlie will be Twittering his psychological and physiological developments as his race to beat the time for running the U.S. evolves.  He will need to finish the race in 45 days to beat the record!

Click here to see Charlie’s Twitter feed, or just go to www.twitter.com/charlieengle.  He’s already Twittering about the things he’s thinking about and doing before the race commences.

We’re looking forward to seeing his internal monolgue as he pushes his body to the limits day in day out.

Here are a couple of the photos we liked, but for more, check out our Flickr.

The AP recently talked to Amanda about why she chose to partner with MISSION Product, the first and only athlete engineered skincare line. We wanted to share what Amanda revealed to the press about her affinity towards skincare products and MISSION Product.

“I was always wondering why athletes didn’t get more involved with developing products. I have tried every sunblock out there and I don’t care how water resistant it says they are, I still would get sunburned by the end of practices. So when MISSION Product approached me about joining their team, for me it wasn’t about just endorsing a product, but being able to get involved with testing the products and creating them to suit and actual athletic lifestyle.

My whole life I have been obsessed with skin care and beauty. I love getting facials and reading books on dermatology and learning about how to keep your skin healthy. My boyfriend always jokes with me that I should have gone to school for it, but what I have always wanted to do is develop my own line of skin care. For me it was because I was always in the sun and pool and it wreaked havoc on my hair and skin. I literally have tried almost every product available from over the counter to prescription to high end line of products.

We have a sunblock stick already on the line and I love it, it will stay on for hours and I can even put it on under my makeup. Also we have a revive gel that I like to apply after I get out of the pool to help restore ph in my skin and it helps for me to be able to take away that flushed look I get after practice. We are currently working on a bunch of new products that we will launch after the Olympics and I am having them send me a new product to my hotel in Singapore to test out. No matter where I am or what I am doing this product has my name associated with it and I help design it so I want it to be to my level of satisfaction!!!!!”

I have been beating up my body for many years. But I have always tried my best to protect my skin, the body’s largest organ. Since the skin is directly exposed to the environment, it plays a critical role in protecting the body against pathogens.

In my 30 plus years of training and competing, there has never been a skincare product that has met my needs. I heard similar stories from athletes across all sports, men and women, young and old. From amateur walkers and runners to world-class professionals, athletes all faced the same problems; sunscreens that wouldn’t stay on and would sting their eyes, moisturizers that left them feeling greasy and anti-friction products that needed constant reapplication.

After years of looking for skin care products that would work for me, I finally decided to just design my own. Why not? I have been in some pretty hot/cold/wet/dry places. Because I am a better runner than a businessman, I was smart enough to find some partners that actually knew how to take my idea and turn it into something real. The result is MISSION Product, the world’s first athlete-engineered skincare company.

Okay, so that’s all for now. As always, I would like to remind you to DO SOMETHING NOW!! I am often asked “why” I choose to do these crazy adventures. I have learned that, for me, personal growth and change only comes thru suffering. Of course if that’s really true, I should already be pretty enlightened. Oh well, I just have to keep moving forward and see what happens. See you along the way.

- Charlie Engle

“So in a world where great sizzle doesn’t necessarily mean great steak, it is nice to find something that gets it right on both fronts. Yes, the folks at MISSION Product can talk the talk, but, to their credit, they can also walk the walk. And, then, after the walk, they’ll make your skin feel better.” - Brian Gotta

“Now, I have never used a foot cream or gel before in my life. I never felt the need to, really, and I’ve always just tough out any foot problems. But ever since the 10k race I did two months ago, my feet have been totally trashed with blisters, calluses and dryness which have not healed! This Foot Synergy Gel felt just great going on. I used it before my cycling time trial, and am continuing to apply it before workouts and after my shower. I would buy this product.” - Carol Scheible

“All of these products are moderately priced for the amount per unit, and the fact that they last a decent while if used properly makes it very probable I’ll buy the line again when my review samples run out.” - Tracy Korn

“The MISSION Product Revive Gel would do wonders for our skin after having been out in the elements. My husband’s skin and my own take a beating and almost seem thirsty after being out in the wind.” - Jennifer Barnett

These are just a few of our fans, but now we want to hear from you! If you’re using MISSION Product, and you love, or hate it (we hope not), send us a message. We’d love to know what you think and may even post your review!