Championing diversity in the outdoor industry

Mario Rigby is renowned for his gruelling expeditions, from trekking the entire length of Africa — from Cape Town to Cairo — to kayaking across Lake Ontario. As a Black explorer, he is also a powerful advocate for diversity in the outdoor world, where Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) communities remain significantly underrepresented. 

Tell us a bit about your journey, and what shaped the person you are today.

Growing up, I wasn’t surrounded by images of explorers or scientists who looked like me. I collected National Geographic magazines and watched shows on the Discovery Channel, but rarely did I see People of Colour in these roles. It felt as though exploration, bravery, and caring about things beyond our immediate surroundings weren’t ‘meant’ for people like me. Subconsciously or consciously, I think many feel the same way.

The moment that changed for me was watching The Black Panther animated series (before the movie came out). The first episode had T’Challa, the King of Wakanda, embarking on a journey across Africa to better understand himself and his leadership. That inspired me. I wanted to explore and go through a similar rite of passage — something I felt was missing in today’s world.

So I created my own version of T’Challa’s journey. Initially, it was personal — I needed to get out of Toronto and figure out my life. But as I travelled, I discovered deeper connections. Exploring Africa revealed the intertwined nature of environmental and social injustices. I saw communities with no access to basic food and resources and I lived, even if briefly, as they did. In Malawi, for instance, I lost 25 pounds due to the lack of food and the physical demands of my journey. These experiences gave me a firsthand understanding of the hardships faced by these communities.

Along the way, I started documenting my journey and highlighting the incredible work being done by locals to keep their communities sustainable — stories that rarely get told. That’s how I found my purpose, not just as an explorer but as someone advocating for sustainability and inclusion in the outdoors.

Growing up, did you have real-life heroes, or only fictional ones?
For much of my childhood, my mum was my hero. She raised my brothers and me as a single mother, and her resilience was unmatched. We immigrated from Germany to Turks and Caicos, and then to Canada, with no money and no support. But what made my mother incredible was her ability to turn our struggles into adventures.

For example, going to the food bank or immigration office became ‘missions’ where we’d each have a role to play, like a team. My mum taught me how to face challenges with creativity and courage, and that mindset has stayed with me. Today, she’s one of the most successful businesswomen in Turks and Caicos.

Do you think having a sense of adventure is the most important quality for a modern explorer?
Not necessarily. The Earth’s surface has been explored for the most part, besides the ocean floor.  Now, the most important quality for an explorer is the ability to address urgent global issues, like climate change. Exploration isn’t just about charting unknown territories anymore — it’s about tackling the problems we face now and those on the horizon.

Modern explorers need to act as translators, making complex scientific issues understandable to the public. I work with scientists on projects (some of which will soon be on major TV networks), where my role is to help tell their stories in ways that resonate. 

Humans are drawn to stories — that’s how we’ve built societies.The challenge is getting people to care collectively. We’ve grown weary of being told what we can’t do. Instead, we need inspiring narratives about what we can do. That’s how we motivate action.

What's your favourite part of an expedition?

Somewhat surprisingly, it’s the planning stages. I love brainstorming with my team, navigating the chaos, and overcoming the constant ‘no’s’ from everyone — ‘This won’t work’, ‘It’s too expensive’ and so on. My job is to push back and show it’s possible. The second-best part is the journey itself, especially when the initial excitement and beginner energy gives way to calm as you find your rhythm. That’s when you realise you’re doing something extraordinary, and it starts to feel natural. Of course, not every project flows like that — some are outright struggles.

What’s been your most difficult challenge?

Kayaking the length of Lake Ontario during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was incredibly challenging. Ontario is a populous province, yet there’s limited infrastructure around the lake, which is a huge missed opportunity. Most of the shorelines are dominated by private mansions, making them inaccessible to diverse or lower-income communities. That trip was physically and mentally tough — camping along the lakeshore, feeling isolated, and tackling a new kind of kayak that kept tipping over. But it also deepened my resolve to advocate for outdoor accessibility.

Is there a piece of advice that’s kept you going through the hardest moments?

In Mozambique, a local English teacher shared a story about a monkey and a fish. The monkey, with good intentions, tried to ‘save’ a fish by pulling it out of the water, only to watch it struggle and die. The moral? What works for you might not work for others. He told me: ‘We love our community and way of life. We see you stressed, always on a mission. Maybe you should slow down and live in the moment.’ That shifted my perspective — our Western obsession with the future and control often makes us miss the beauty of the present moment.

Are you seeing positive changes in the outdoor community?

Absolutely. When I started expeditioning in 2014, there weren’t many BIPOC communities involved in outdoor advocacy. Now, we’re seeing a shift — people from all backgrounds are pushing for inclusivity. Social media has amplified these voices, making huge corporations rethink their approach. The biggest challenge now is encouraging People of Colour, especially Black communities, to engage with the outdoors. There’s often a perception that activities like hiking and camping are ‘white’ activities, and breaking that mindset is tough.

I’ve worked to make the outdoors more inviting and accessible. For example, I organise fun camping trips where we incorporate diverse cuisines — jerk chicken cooked over a fire, tortillas, or other culturally specific dishes. It’s about showing that everyone’s heritage is welcome. Eating food that’s familiar to your everyday diet makes being in the wild much more comfortable. I’ve also pushed companies to go beyond token representation. It’s not just about putting diverse faces in ads; it’s about creating real access — better transportation to parks, affordable gear, and inclusive cultural experiences. These steps are essential to making the outdoors a space for everyone.

Sustainability is also gaining pace in the industry. Recently, Arc’teryx moved away from forever chemicals in their waterproofs. Electric cars are becoming more popular. Rechargeable batteries are now readily available. Individually, these things may sound small, but put them together and the difference is noticeable. We’re making progress, but we need to move faster. 

What's the best advice you'd give someone following their passion?

Believe in your voice and passions. Without them, you do a disservice to humanity. Purpose isn’t predetermined—you create it. By following what you love, you offer a unique gift to the world and to yourself.

What are three essentials you pack for expeditions?

1. Duct tape – For injuries, repairs, and everything in between.

2. A multi-tool knife – Always invaluable.

3. A smartphone – It’s more than a communication device; it’s GPS, a music player, a camera, and more. Even when offline, it’s a lifesaver. If I had to swap the phone out, I’d add paracord—you never know when you’ll need it.

Is there an ultimate goal or journey you’re working toward?

I don’t have an ‘ultimate’ goal, because that feels like the end of the line, but I do have milestones. Right now, I’m working on the Seven Summits — climbing the tallest peaks on each continent. It’s a slow journey, starting with Kilimanjaro and moving to Antarctica next. It’s not just about personal achievement; with a project like this I can bring awareness to sustainability, climate change, and charitable causes. 

What are you most proud of? 

Inspiring others to get outdoors. Nature is magical, and I want everyone to experience its beauty. That connection fosters universal love and gratitude, reminding us that we’re no greater or lesser than the earth itself. If more people felt that, even for a moment, the world could shift in profound ways. 

Any final thoughts you’d like to leave us with?

Historically, explorers have largely been white men, which means much of humanity's story — including the story of Black people — is missing. Exploring as a Black man lets me delve into different history, uncovering lost narratives such as those of West African sailors crossing the Atlantic long before Columbus. It’s time for BIPOC communities to find the sunken ships and the bones and the ancient temples and whatnot: time to explore ourselves and our heritage. 

It's not just about adventure — it’s about reclaiming and enriching history for all of us. In doing that, you add more flavour and more spice and more everything. And I think that's a beautiful way to look at history; it gives us all a real, more complete foundation.