By: Lady JB Owen

While many leaders talk about change, few are willing to fully embrace it in every aspect of their lives. Even fewer choose to embark on such a journey from the saddle of a tandem bicycle, navigating the challenging terrain of North America. But Lady JB Owen is not your average leader. As a visionary entrepreneur, humanitarian, bestselling author, publisher, speaker, and impact strategist, Lady JB is reshaping what it means to lead, live, and ignite humanity.

Together with her husband, Peter Giesin, she is cycling from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to Homer, Alaska—a remarkable 9,000-kilometer tandem journey that includes over 305,000 feet of elevation gain. The couple is attempting to achieve a world record for the most elevation gained in a tandem ride across North America. However, records, for them, are not the primary goal. The journey is part of a much larger mission: to build 10,000 eco-friendly, solar-powered Inspiration Classrooms™ around the world through their global initiative, Ignite Humanity™.

A Leader in Every Lane

Lady JB has long been recognized as a powerful figure in publishing, having helped more than 800 authors share their transformational stories through Ignite Publishing. But her reach extends far beyond books. She has founded IgniteX™, a dynamic speaker platform for impact-driven voices; Ignite YOU Inc., a mentorship movement helping leaders refine their mind, message, brand, and voice; Gatherama™, a world-class event that brings visionaries together; and most recently, Cycle to Ignite Humanity™, a high-visibility humanitarian expedition now captivating audiences around the globe.

“We believe that leadership today must be grounded in authenticity, generosity, and determination,” Lady JB explains. “This ride is a living example of those values in action.”

From training new thought leaders to building literacy in remote regions, everything Lady JB touches is designed to uplift, inspire, and ignite others. What makes her unique is not just the scale of her work, but the soul behind it. Her projects are infused with compassion and designed for impact.

Trust, Teamwork, and the Tandem Metaphor

Riding a tandem bicycle is more than a physical exercise—it’s a daily lesson in trust, communication, and humility. As front and rear riders, JB and Peter must pedal in sync, shift gears together, and support each other on every incline. That model has become a metaphor for how they lead together: side-by-side, voice-with-voice, mission-aligned.

“Tandem leadership means shared vision and shared responsibility,” Peter adds. “It means knowing when to lead, when to support, and how to listen, even in silence.”

Their journey is far from easy. In just the first few weeks, they have cycled over 1,100 kilometers and climbed more than 8,800 meters in elevation—the equivalent of summiting Mount Everest. They’ve done so while navigating extreme heat, long desert stretches, mountainous terrain, and the logistical challenges of a constantly moving expedition. That determination reflects their unwavering mindset: no thought of giving up, only perseverance.

Impact in Action

Every kilometer they ride is in service of a broader goal: building Inspiration Classrooms in areas that need them most. These classrooms are constructed using recycled plastic blocks, powered by solar panels, and include a desalination unit for clean water. Designed to be sustainable and replicable, they are a symbol of what’s possible when innovation meets compassion.

But the classrooms are only one piece of the puzzle. Through IgniteX™, Lady JB is empowering a wave of new voices to step into their stories and stages. Through her company, Ignite YOU INC, she’s mentoring individuals to master their message and become leaders in their own right. Through every platform she creates, she is building a legacy of education, elevation, and excellence.

Even while on the road, Lady JB is meeting with communities, filming a documentary, recording content for her TV Show, and connecting with supporters worldwide. Her days begin before sunrise, often include six to seven hours of cycling, and end with interviews and social media updates. The result? A growing global movement that continues to build momentum with every mile.

Igniting Young Minds for a Better Tomorrow

As much as Lady JB Owen leads initiatives and expeditions that span continents, her true focus is on the future, specifically, the minds of the next generation. With two children and two stepchildren, her mission to foster literacy and ignite possibility is deeply personal. She believes that empowering young people with knowledge, critical thinking, and imagination is the most important path to solving the world’s most pressing challenges.

“Igniting humanity begins with igniting the minds of our youth,” she shares. “Literacy isn’t just the ability to read and write—it’s the key to unlocking empathy, innovation, and leadership.”

This belief is at the heart of the Inspiration Classrooms being built through her cycling journey. Designed as eco-conscious, solar-powered learning environments, these classrooms aren’t just buildings—they are incubators of ideas, compassion, and transformation. Each one is a spark toward a more educated, empowered, and connected world.

Lady JB sees these classrooms as seeds for greatness—places where children can learn how to think, not just what to think. In doing so, they will grow into the problem-solvers, peacemakers, and pioneers our world so urgently needs.

Her dual role as a visionary leader and a devoted mother underscores her message: that leadership must include legacy. And that the most meaningful metric of success is the positive ripple effect we create for the generations that follow.

Lessons for Today’s Leaders

In a time when leadership is often defined by disruption and speed, Lady JB is reminding the world of the value of endurance, alignment, and mission-led innovation. Her journey offers several key takeaways for entrepreneurs and executives alike:

• Lead with love, not just logic. True transformation starts with a heart-centered connection. 
• Vision is only as powerful as the team behind it. Tandem leadership means empowering others to ride with you. 
• Success isn’t how high you climb—it’s how many people you bring with you. 
• Authenticity is your greatest advantage. In business and in life, people are moved by truth, not perfection. 
• Grit fuels growth. What separates leaders is the ability to endure challenges and still show up with heart.

The Road Ahead

With weeks to go before they reach Alaska, the path ahead remains both unpredictable and full of potential. But one thing is certain: the impact Lady JB Owen is making will be felt far beyond the finish line.

Her legacy isn’t being written in press releases or profit reports. It’s being written in pedal strokes, in school walls, in every life she and Peter touch along the way.

For those watching from the boardroom or the bike path, one message is clear: You don’t need to ride solo to change the world. You just need to lead in tandem.

Follow their journey and join the mission at igniteyou.life and the ride at www.epictandem.com