DO GOOD • CO-VENTURE • SUPPORT LOCAL What started as one bold step turned into a relentless journey. The ride didn’t stop there. Then came the name. Always.
We are The Bad Activist — a movement born from blistered feet, burning passion, and the belief that doing good doesn’t require perfection. It all began in 2013, when Shannon Sprowal and Jay Atlas launched The Long Road to Freedom Project, a cross-country walk from Atlantic City to Los Angeles — 3,400 miles in 115 days — to raise awareness about human trafficking. Along the way, they spoke in towns
and cities across 11 states, igniting conversations and inspiring action from coast to coast. In 2014, the mission continued on wheels — Jay returning, joined by Sylvester Williams, Nathaniel Erb, & Timothy Sammartino cycled over 5,000 miles from Seattle to Miami, bringing their message to a wider audience. In 2015, another crew (Jay, & Sylvester returning, this time joined by Jonathan Moore & Gabriel Fennerty) pedaled 3,900 miles from Minnesota to Texas in partnership with Worthwhile Wear, shining a light on the realities of exploitation and the strength of survivors. In 2017, Jay took to the road alone — this time to explore mental wellness along the Northeastern coast. Though the tour ended early due to family illness and his own mental health needs, it planted the seed for something deeper, something more personal. After being publicly ridiculed for drinking a beer — Jay was labeled “a bad activist.” Instead of defending himself, he embraced it. With a smirk, The Bad Activist was born: a nonprofit for the imperfect, the outsiders, the ones who care deeply but don’t always fit the mold. We are advocates, artists, and adventurers. We don’t look like everyone else, and we’re not trying to. Our mission is to celebrate, integrate, and accentuate people doing good — whether that’s through co-ventures, volunteering, or just showing love. We believe activism isn’t about being flawless. It’s about being present, being real, and being willing to act. Now, we’re gearing up for one final ride. On August 4, 2025, Jay Atlas will join Elayna Mae Darcy, Sam Barton, and Noah Brouse for a final transnational bicycle tour from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, via Canada. This time, the focus is clear: mental health. The journey will include interviews, workshops, and real-time conversations about depression, resilience, and what healing looks like — from lived experience to licensed expertise. We’re not perfect. We’re not polished. But we are present. And we are The Bad Activist.
Thank you, and F you
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
02/20/2026
"Jake is 31 and lives with Depression. Last year Jake embarked on a journey to manage his mental health in a new way, through exercise, sharing and the great outdoors. Jake has now walked over 2000 miles around the UK, vlogging his experiences with thousands of online followers as he goes and attracting the attention of both the BBC and the Royal Family. In this talk, Jake shares his insights into living with depression and how connecting to and opening up to a wide online community has affected his relationship with depression.
Jake is 31 and lives with Depression. Last year Jake embarked on a journey to manage his mental health in a new way, through exercise, sharing and the great outdoors. Jake has now walked over 2000 miles around the UK, vlogging his experiences with thousands of online followers as he goes and attracting the attention of both the BBC and the Royal Family. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx"
TEDx Program
TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, "ideas worth spreading." It supports independent organizers who want to create a TED-like event in their own community.
02/10/2026
When I was a kid
I was a dreamer
My room wasn't big
My house wasn't either
But I had enough
Love to fill up a city
And all of those nights
I watched the stars
They lit up the sky
Filled up my heart
I won't let go
"What happens when personal grief collides with your professional life? Drawing on her experience as the CEO of a crisis management firm and a hospice chaplain, Meredith Wilson Parfet breaks down the reality of grief — at work and beyond — and shares practical tools for navigating chaos, without toxic positivity."
Mon Rovîa 's music has been so important in surviving this transition into whoever we're becoming as individuals and whatever we become as a collective.
If you have time, please give a listen & show some love!
Bloodline (Preview)
Provided to YouTube by NettwerkBloodline (Preview) · Mon RovîaBloodline℗ Mon Rovîa LLC under exclusive license to Nettwerk Music Group Inc.Released on: 2026-...