Run, Nathan, Run!
1000K for Dr. J.
In loving memory of our teammate, Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, and in support of the international movement his best-selling book Blue Mind has inspired, FORCE BLUE veteran Nathan Quinn has committed to running a total of 1000K over long-distance running events across four (4) continents between Fall 2025 and Spring 2026.
Nathan’s efforts are part of a larger campaign to raise awareness and support for FORCE BLUE and for the Dr. Wallace J. Nichols Memorial Fund established by J’s wife, Dana Nichols, earlier this year.
The campaign’s goal is to attract 1,000 new donors by the time Nathan crosses his final finish line!
$50
REPRESENT
With your FORCE BLUE wristband, Velcro logo patch and Blue Mind™ blue marble.
$100
TOP IT OFF
Add an adjustable Richardson 111 Garment Washed Trucker Mesh cap featuring a FORCE BLUE welded logo.
$200
BREAK A SWEAT
In a signature FORCE BLUE “Buoyancy. Belonging. Betterment.” team hoodie.
$500
START YOUR JOURNEY
With an autographed copy of Wallace, J. Nichols’ New York Times Best-Seller.
100% DONATION
SAVE THE SWAG
Make my donation 100% tax deductible!
DISTANCE TRACKED – GEARING UP!
0K
Out of 1,000K
Nathan Quinn
United States Army Veteran
An Army Air Assault veteran who enlisted shortly after 9/11, Nathan finished his BA and became a certified Flight and Tactical Paramedic upon leaving the military. A full-time nomad, Nathan has traveled the world both professionally and as a medical volunteer, working in Thailand following the 2004 tsunami and in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. Nathan has served as an EMS instructor for groups such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, U.S. Special Operations and Doctors Without Borders and has taught at the Smithsonian Institute and Dartmouth University. Nathan’s love for the ocean has led him to become a freediving, SCUBA diving and sailing instructor, as well as one of FORCE BLUE’s original members. When he’s not running, Nathan serves as a wildland firefighter in California and throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Wallace J. Nichols Memorial Fund
Continuing J’s Work. Honoring His Legacy.
The Dr. Wallace J Nichols memorial fund was established to continue the work of one of the world’s most important environmentalists and change makers.
J dedicated his life to understanding how our connection to water and wildlife has the power to change our health and well-being. He worked tirelessly to share his findings with the world – from his best-selling book Blue Mind, to countless environmental organizations and movements that he founded and supported.
Our goal is to continue J’s and Dana’s important work, complete unfinished projects, and support causes he was passionate about.
GIVE, PEOPLE, GIVE!
Your donation ensures Dr. Wallace J. Nichols’ message of healing through water lives on. And that FORCE BLUE’s mission to preserve and restore — not just our critically threatened marine habitats, but our veteran community as well — continues to resonate around the globe.
Dr. Wallace “J” Nichols
Dr. Wallace “J” Nichols
Dr. Wallace “J” Nichols — called a “Keeper of the Sea” by GQ Magazine, “a visionary” by Outside Magazine, a “water warrior” by AQUATICS International, a “friend of the sea” by Experience Life Magazine, and “the godfather of water” by Irish Life Health and Santa Cruz Waves Magazine — was an innovative, silo-busting, entrepreneurial scientist, movement maker, renown marine biologist, voracious Earth and idea explorer, wild water advocate, bestselling author, sought after lecturer, and fun-loving Dad. He also liked turtles (a lot).
J. collaborated tirelessly and artfully to create the new story of water and share it with the world. This story includes the vast cognitive, emotional, psychological, social, physical, and spiritual benefits that we can all derive from healthy waters and oceans throughout our lives.
His experiences and creativity as a field research scientist, government consultant, founder and director of numerous businesses and nonprofit organizations, teacher, mentor, parent, and advisor all supported his quest to build a stronger, more inclusive, innovative and diverse blue movement.
J. authored more than 200 scientific papers, technical reports, book chapters, and popular publications; lectured in more than 30 countries and nearly all 50 states; and appeared in hundreds of print, film, radio, and television media outlets including NPR, BBC, PBS, CNN, MSNBC, National Geographic, Animal Planet, Time, Newsweek, GQ, Outside Magazine, USA Today, Elle, Vogue, Fast Company, Surfer Magazine, Scientific American, and New Scientist, among many others.
His book Blue Mind, published in summer 2014 by Little, Brown & Company, quickly became a national bestseller and has been translated to numerous languages and inspired a wave of media and practical application.