TV high-flier swaps his suit for the saddle
As one of the top bosses at Sony Pictures Television, Todd Miller helped launch AXN and oversaw the media giant's TV networks and its investments in Asia.
But in April, he made the surprising decision to leave his high-powered position to cycle around the world, continent by continent, to raise money for charity.
'My job in television was thrilling, filled with highs and adrenaline rushes, but cycling is a different kind of thrill,' he said. 'The exploration, the movement, the physicality of it and seeing a place on ground level feels amazing. Even on the hardest, harshest day it still feels great and I love it.'
Miller is aiming to raise HK$275,000 for the European trip that will start on June 5 and end in mid-October. His route will take him from Portugal to Turkey, through 14 countries and two mountain ranges. Miller will carry nothing more than the four pannier bags attached to his bike will allow, including a tent for emergency accommodation.
He believes the physical exhaustion of cycling approximately 4,238 kilometres will be worth it to raise money for Yaowawit, the Thai children's charity.
Yaowawit is a non-profit boarding school that provides shelter, food and education to 120 children, aged three to 18 whose lives were devastated after the 2004 tsunami ravaged Phang Nga province.
'I visited the charity in early April. After meeting the kids and the administrative staff I came to understand their urgent need for resources to keep the project going,' Miller said. 'The thing that makes this charity special is that it uses education to break the poverty cycle. These kids will help me through the figurative potholes of this ride because it's not just Todd on a bike, its Todd pedalling for the 120 kids depending on me to assist their school.'
Miller pedalled nearly 6,000 kilometres across the US last summer, raising HK$288,000 for a Cambodian children's charity. In between his cross-continental journeys, Miller enjoys cycling in Hong Kong.
Aside from raising money, he hopes to spread a green message that individuals can 'change our behaviour and our consumption patterns'. Donations to Miller's cause can be given via the website of Variety, a Hong Kong-based charity.
