Meet the Team

Rob Martin

Director/Owner
Rob@Strivetrips.org

Rob was a high school runner but eventually found himself on the coaching side of things once he reached college. His itch to get out of the Midwest eventually got the best of him. Soon after graduating from Purdue University, Rob’s first trip outside the US landed him in Ntchisi, Malawi where he spent three years teaching high school students, training mathematics teachers, and coaching cross country runners through the Peace Corps. He fell in love with the Warm Heart of Africa, learning to speak Chichewa and greetings in many other Bantu languages. Rob eventually settled in The Big Apple soon after his return from Malawi. He feels that New York brings the world to him everyday he walks out the door.

In his 20 years of teaching and coaching, Rob has been lucky enough to coach many state and nationally ranked runners.  In 2010, he found a unique opportunity to combine his travel and coaching experience, being Strive’s first group leader at it’s inaugural session in Kenya. In 2016-17, Rob accepted a call to be part of a Peace Corps Response group to help reopen Sierra Leone’s schools post-Ebola. He trained mathematics and science teachers at a Sierra Leonean university. Currently, he coaches all three seasons XC, Indoor and Outdoor Track, at state-ranked Xavier High School in Manhattan. Xavier has finished in the top five at NY Federations in XC in five of the last 7 years while he’s been coaching. Despite his love of coaching runners and teaching mathematics in New York, nothing compares with the joy he feels seeing Strivers engulfed in the songs, smiles, and hospitality of the peoples of sub-saharan Africa, hiking an Inca Trail to Maccu Piccu in Peru, or cresting a hill one more time on a brutal hill repeat workout in Flagstaff.

  • Also known as Rob the Groover, the music moves him.

  • Math nerd.  Serious math nerd.

  • Big ideas, aspirations and dreams.


Liz Eleftherakis

Director of Operations
Liz@Strivetrips.org

Liz started running alongside her dad at age ten and has kept it in her life ever since. Rowing took the spotlight during high school and college—she rowed competitively for UMass Amherst—but running was always in the background, a steady source of joy. After graduating, Liz coached rowing in both Western and Eastern Massachusetts while still showing up for the occasional 5K or long trail race.

Her career has moved between classrooms and gyms. She taught English and social studies in middle and high schools for a decade before shifting full-time into fitness in 2018. These days, she works as a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and manages a busy CrossFit gym. She’s also found a home in the world of ultramarathons, especially the 50K distance. A few of her favorite races include the Cayuga Trails 50 in Ithaca and the Vermont 50.

Liz has led Strive trips to Flagstaff, Arizona, where she brings together her passion for movement, the outdoors, and working with young people. She also trains in Brazilian jiu jitsu and volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Whether on a mountain trail or in a group huddle, she loves helping young people push themselves and figure out what they’re capable of.

Matt Shamey

Director of Strategic Planning
Matt@Strivetrips.org

Matt grew up in western Massachusetts, where he currently lives. He spends most of his time teaching power vinyasa yoga and running through the woods and along country roads with teammates and friends.

He attended Grinnell College, where he ran cross-country and studied political science and Spanish. During his junior year, he studied abroad in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. After graduating, Matt was motivated to deepen his connection to Latin America by leading numerous experiential immersion programs—ranging from two weeks to a full semester. His curiosity eventually brought him to East Africa, where he led programs in Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and, ultimately, his first Strive trip in Kenya.

As a leader, Matt’s intention is to help students awaken to just how powerful and capable they are—to live healthy, connected, and inspired lives.