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By Joe Rust
Joe is the youngest brother of Captain Alex Rust. He spent over 4 months and over 3000 miles aboard Bubbles sailing across the South Pacific, South Africa, and the Caribbean.
After Circumnavigating the Globe in S/V Bubbles, Alex Decided to Head to India for Some Soul Searching
After completing an adventure of a lifetime, Alex was left searching for the next big thing in his life. He knew he wanted to do something bigger than Bubbles. Not long after being back in the States, a friend suggested he go to India to do some soul searching and find a way to help kids in need. Alex loved kids and wanted to have his own, but at this point in his life, it wasn’t an option. Alex thought, “If I can’t have my own kids right now, maybe I’ll just help kids that don’t have anyone else.” So Alex dove headfirst into his next adventure to India. He embraced this trip like any other, venturing into temples, taking a motorcycle through the mountains, and connecting with the wonderful people of India.
And then suddenly, it was gone. On May 28, 2013, I got the phone call that Alex had passed away while traveling in India before he could complete his adventure.
Alex spent much of his last month visiting sacred places- the holy city of Pushkar, the Dalai Lama’s residence in exile in McLeod Gang, the desert region of Rajasthan, the Seik holy temple in Punjab and finally Varanasi, the most holy of Hindi places, where people go to die and to wash themselves for purification in the Ganges River.
Alex’s death was tragic but the way he lived up until his death so fully and vibrantly inspired so many others to do the same. For some it was an immediate reaction to go on a new adventure or start a new business. For others like me, it took some time to fully appreciate the inspiration that Alex offered.
In 2017, Four Years After Alex Died, I Quit My Job and Set Off to India to Retrace Alex’s Last Steps
At the time of Alex’s passing, I was devastated and decided against going to India. I saw India as a dirty place and feared a trip there would only bring me more pain than closure. Four years later, in May 2017, I was reminded that we are never fully ready to face the things we fear. During a coffee meeting with my EDGE mentor, Randy Reichmann, he asked about my interest in going to India. I casually said, “I’m not ready,” and then added, "Plus, I can't go to India unless I quit my job." After an hour of deep conversation, Randy asked, “Do you know what you need to do?” I replied, “Quit my job and head to India!” This moment highlighted the power of mentorship. So, I quit my job and embarked on a new adventure to find peace, clarity, and purpose.
While in India, I spent around a month retracing Alex’s steps through Mumbai, Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Varanasi. The bulk of the trip was adventurous and taught me what it was like to travel alone. I thoroughly enjoyed it—the food, the landscape, the hiking, and the conversations with the locals. Varanasi, where Alex passed, was the place I feared the most. Walking into the room where he breathed his last, I expected to break down in tears. Instead, I found myself full of gratitude. I had prayed a lot leading up to this moment, and here, God told me it was going to be okay. I realized I was brought to India for a greater reason, a feeling that would become clearer in the weeks ahead.
Picking Up the Torch for Alex, the Chasing Bubbles Foundation Was Born to Help Empower Kids to Chase Their Dreams Like Alex
My next stop was Northeastern India, known as the Seven Sisters. In honor of Alex, our family agreed to support an orphanage run by the Jesuits in this area. The Kohima Jesuits have been sponsoring and providing for the neediest local children since 1975. The children receive care, facilities, and a social, religious, and agricultural education to inspire hope and induce an 'economic awakening’ and inspire hope.
Alex had mentioned before he left for India that he might start an orphanage while traveling. He always wanted to have lots of kids. We decided to pick up where he left off. I was the first to visit this area on behalf of the family, and I asked the Jesuits to show me around the schools and boarding houses. Over a few trips, I visited over 15 schools and boarding houses and spoke to over 5,000 students. The kids, mostly shy, were extremely loving. A smile and a wave usually induced a giggle, especially from girls. Everywhere I went, I witnessed the same thing: poor villages filled with happy people. How could they be so happy with so little? I wondered, “How can Americans be so depressed when we have so much?” Each group I met reiterated the same point: these kids are physically poor but spiritually rich.
My first thought was, “We should be doing something more challenging!” Alex didn’t take the well-traveled, easy-to-navigate path. He took his sailboat, Bubbles, further up the Sepik and Amazon rivers than any other sailboat! We should be doing the same in India. Instead of helping support existing schools and boarding houses, we should lead the charge into new and underserved areas.
In 2018, the Chasing Bubbles documentary gained traction with over one million views. Alex’s story inspired thousands to live life to the fullest. I love hearing stories from people about how they or someone they know started sailing, traveling, or pursuing their dreams because of Captain Alex Rust. Imagine if we could do the same by supporting needy kids in India. As a family, we knew there was more we could do with Alex’s story. This is how the Chasing Bubbles Foundation was born—to take Alex’s story and empower kids to chase their dreams like he did.
Chasing Bubbles Foundation is Currently Supporting 10 High Potential Students in the East Garo Hills
In 2019, we incorporated as an official 501(c)(3) non-profit with a simple mission: to empower kids around the world to chase their dreams. Just as Alex did, starting with a small sailboat in the Caribbean but dreaming about the bigger trip ahead, we are starting small. Through a partnership with the Jesuits, we are supporting a group of 10 high-potential students in Northeastern India. These students come from very poor backgrounds, mostly village farmers with limited land and equipment. Their physical resources may be limited, but their spirits and drive are inspiring. The students dream of making life better for themselves and their families, with aspirations to be teachers, bankers, and business leaders. Our plan is to help those dreams come true.
For me, India started as a place to avoid, associated with death and poverty. Today, India is a beautiful place that has provided the Chasing Bubbles Foundation with a purpose and a place to work with wonderful people. The Jesuits are thoughtful partners in empowering kids to chase their dreams, and the kids in India are an inspiration, rejuvenating our dreams and hope for the world. Alex took his last steps in India, living life to the fullest and looking for others to help do the same. We now pick up his noble torch, starting in India but dreaming about the “bigger trip” ahead.
