Jesse Castañeda, Sports Director, Recognized by Cambridge Who's Who
Jesse Castañeda inspires a nation with triumphant story of recovery and wellness

LOS LUNAS, NM, June 21, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Jesse Castañeda, Sports Director, Writer and Educator for Youth Development, Inc., was recently featured in "Cambridge Publishing's Top 101 Industry Experts" book. "Top Industry Experts" reveals the objectives and triumphs prominent Cambridge members have achieved to gain success. Selected from more than 400,000 executives, professionals and entrepreneurs, these exemplary leaders stay at the top of their fields by possessing unique experience and wisdom, all the while exhibiting innovation in their work.

Jesse Castañeda brings 55 years of experience to Youth Development, Inc., a nonprofit organization. He is considered a shining beacon of hope and strength whose tireless dedication to New Mexico youth enrichment has been recognized by countless members of the community. Mr. Castañeda has been described by his peers as creative and innovative, filled with the spirit of adventure, discovery and positive motivation. His motto is the same as that used by Cesar Chávez: "Si Se Puede!" - which, translated into English, means "It can be done!"

After surviving an automobile accident at the age of 8, Mr. Castañeda proved his doctor's diagnosis of paralysis wrong by walking record lengths - against all odds. He hiked 302 miles in less than 102.59 hours and was featured in the 1974 edition of the "Guinness Book of World Records." He holds the world record in the 24 hour walk event having walked 142 plus miles in 1976 at the Hispanic Village in New Mexico State Fair Grounds. This record is also listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. From August 9 to December 11 of 1982, he walked from New York City to Venice Beach, Florida. The tremendous walking journey totaled 3,198 miles across 13 states. He went on to complete a variety of 50- and 100-mile walks along the West Coast, including high-altitude and non-stop events. Mr. Castañeda also once served as an Olympic Torchbearer, he claimed the Olympic Torch in Colorado City, Colorado on its relay to Atlanta, the site of the 1996 Olympic Games.

With those early days of adventure behind him, Mr. Castañeda felt a strong desire to educate his community on health and fitness awareness. He then devoted his life to the well-being and the positive development of children through athletics enrichment, using Youth Development, Inc. as his vessel. He was the founder of the New Mexico Youth Soccer program of 1972, held at Johnson Field University of New Mexico. In addition to making public speaking engagements, he also writes to engage and motivate. Mr. Castañeda is the author of two books, "For the Love of El Fútbol" and "Steps of thy Love." He has also written a feature article for Vista Magazine, entitled "Follow Your Dreams." Currently, he is working on the completion of a manuscript, to be called "Sole to Soul!" and a book on wellness, entitled "OQUOL," alongside notable soccer coach Klaus Weber.

Mr. Castañeda received a master of Latin American affairs and Mexican history in 1970 from Jaime Balmes University in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico and a bachelor of science, in 1965 from The University of New Mexico. He holds certification in soccer coaching and first aid training.

For more information on Mr. Castañeda's work, please visit http://www.oquol.com.

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Ellen Campbell
Cambridge Who's Who
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