Optimity Around the World

August 9, 2023

SUMMER TRAIL CHALLENGES

PART 2

Join GBU Life on an epic trek across the seven continents while earning milestones and competition gems along the way. The duration for each challenge (continent you hike) is uniquely based on the average length of time it would take to hike each trail.

Sign up for the first continent challenge in the Optimity Challenge tab on August 1. 

Not an Optimity user yet? Sign up at inside.gbu.org/optimity.

Europe's Fimmvörðuháls Trail 

Trail in Iceland spans 15.5 miles (25 km) and takes hikers through stunning landscapes, including lava fields, glaciers, valleys and waterfalls.

Asia's Mount Fuji

Take on the challenge of climbing Japan's highest mountain, Mount Fuji, at 12,389 feet

(3,775 m)! Join thousands of hikers each year to witness the stunning sunrise from the summit. Complete the three-day, eight-mile (13 km) trail and earn gems at each milestone, plus a bonus for completing the climb!

South America's Machu Picchu

Take on the famous 27-mile (43 km) Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in South America's Peru. Imagine the stunning views of the Andes, archaeological sites and the iconic ruins. Put yourself to the test; complete the eight-day challenge and earn milestones along the way!

North America's Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim trail is a 23.5-mile (38 km) trek from the North to South Rim in Arizona. The trail offers breathtaking views of the canyon and requires high fitness levels due to steep terrains and extreme temperatures. If you're ready to take on the conditions of this challenge, give it a go for seven days and earn bonus gems!

Antarctica's Observation Loop Trail

The Observation Hill Loop trail is a scenic, 2.5-mile (4 km) trail loop in Ross Island, Antarctica. Hike to the top of Observation Hill for stunning panoramic views of the area,

including Mount Erebus and McMurdo Sound. Try this chilly, one-day challenge and earn

bonus gems!

Australia's Thorsborne Trail

Hinchinbrook Island in Queensland, Australia, is a rugged paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The 18.5-mile (30 km) Thorsborne trail offers breathtaking coastal views, dense rainforests and pristine beaches. Take on the challenge for six days and earn bonus gems!

Africa's Otter Trail

The Otter Trail in South Africa is a spectacular, nine-day, 28-mile (45 km) hike along the Garden Route coastline. This challenging trail winds through forests, cliffs and beaches, offering breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. Take on the Otter Trail and earn bonus gems once you complete the challenge!


Gift cards will be issued to everyone who completed the Summer Trail Challenges Part One once the last challenge (Africa's Otter Trail) wraps up in July. 

By Lesley Mann May 29, 2025
As we move into the second quarter of another exciting year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and share some of the new initiatives we are implementing in the realms of sales, marketing and community engagement. Over the past year, GBU Life has reached significant milestones thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team and the trust and support of our members. Our sales department has exceeded targets, and we have expanded our reach to more communities than ever before. We have launched several successful marketing campaigns that have not only increased our visibility but have also strengthened our brand's presence in the industry. For this year, our focus will be educating potential new members on the importance of securing their financial futures through life insurance and annuity products while serving their communities as part of our great Society. Looking ahead, we are committed to enhancing our sales strategies to better serve you. We are introducing some tools for our agents to enhance our products. One new tool is our Defined Benefit Annuity program which combines the Future Flex Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) with a software tool that can help determine retirement savings needs and break them down into contributions over time to help you meet your retirement goals. Be sure to keep in touch with your GBU agent to review your plans and products to see how adding an FIA to your retirement planning can help boost your savings efforts
May 15, 2025
GBU members between the ages of three and nine years old can enter their colored page in this year's contest, which is themed Pawprints on My Heart. Three age categories will be judged as follows: Category I: Ages three and four Category II: Ages five and six Category III: Ages seven, eight and nine Entrants may use crayons, colored pencils, markers or watercolor paints. Entries will be accepted through Monday, August 18, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. The picture on the next page can be reproduced, or copies can be obtained by calling the Community Engagement Team at the GBU Home Office (800-765-4428) or by printing the image above. Cash Prizes for Each Category First prize: $75 Second prize: $50 Third prize: $30 How to Enter Send the three- to nine-year-old GBU member's coloring contest entry with their name and address on the colored page to: GBU Life ATTN: Member Benefits 4254 Saw Mill Run Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15227-3394. Or email contest@gbu.org with "Coloring Contest Entry” as the subject line. General Information Judges reserve the right to accept or reject any or all entries. Their decisions will be final. Artwork will be handled at the GBU Home Office with the utmost care. GBU reserves the right to reproduce entries for whatever use it wishes, provided proper credit is given. Permission does not include the sale of such work.
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GBU has designated four Community Pillars - Wellness, Education, Charitable Giving and Hometown Hero Support - which are a concentrated list of causes that resonate with our values.
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