ETHAN ZOHN

Ethan Zohn gives the word survivor a whole new meaning. Winning CBS Survivor: Africa’s 1 million dollar prize, was the springboard to an exceptional life of entrepreneurship, social purpose and advocacy. It was also the prelude to an incredible story, one of perseverance, accomplishment, and enduring spirit in the face of once unthinkable challenges.

Ethan is a former professional Jewish soccer player from Lexington MA, winner of the reality television show Survivor Africa, a two-time cancer crusher, sports broadcaster and TV personality, author and co-founder of Grassroot Soccer (GRS). GRS uses the power of soccer and the energy of youth to educate, inspire and mobilize communities to improve health. Over the last 22 years, Ethan has been an important force in driving the strategic direction of GRS and building partnerships that have helped to provide lifesaving education for more than 25 million young people in 65 countries.

In 2011, after twice surviving a rare form of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and two stem cell transplants, Ethan ran the NYC and Boston Marathon. He has since been named a global ambassador for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, StandUp2Cancer and AKTIV Against Cancer. The severities of both Ethan’s illness and its treatment, coupled with the debilitating anxiety of his cancer coming back post-treatment, led Ethan to explore cannabis and CBD as a form of palliative care and was named the brand ambassador and consultant for EO.Care, a digital health and wellness platform providing personalized, clinician guided medical cannabis care plans for people suffering from cancer and other challenging health conditions.

With a thirst for traveling, his TV hosting and charitable work has brought him to over 50 countries, focusing on sports for social good, outdoor adventure, health and wellness. A competitor both off and on camera, this “Jewish Wilderness Icon” returned to reality TV as a contestant on Survivor 40 Winners at War, after also competing on The Amazing Race, Survivor All-Star, Eco-Challenge and Fear Factor among others.

In July 2022, Ethan was a member of the US National Masters Maccabi Soccer team playing in the 21st World Maccabi Games in Israel and the 15th Pan Am Games in Argentina, after playing in 1997, 2001 games and coaching in the 2004 Pan Am Maccabi Games. Ethan’s love and pride in being Jewish is even more prominent, especially during this challenging time in political history and in May 2023, Ethan was chosen to participate in Hen Mazzig’s Tel Aviv Institute’s “Jews Talk Justice” conference on antisemitism for the world’s most popular Jewish Influencers.

Ethan is an international key note speaker who delivers deeply-felt presentations, rich in lessons on Jewish values, tzedakah and personal strength, with a connection to Israel through sport, social entrepreneurship and philanthropy, that inspires students to answer life’s questions and opportunities with strength and conviction of character. He is excited to share how his inspiration to heal the world stems from being taught at an early age the importance of being a member of the Jewish community, preservation of Israel and a connection to his faith.