“Beast Games” Winner Jeff Allen Embarks on 365-Mile “Ruck 4 Rare” Challenge to Raise Awareness for Creatine Deficiencies and Rare Diseases

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 25, 2025--

Today, the Association for Creatine Deficiencies ’ (ACD) Vice-Board Chair and “Beast Games” winner Jeffrey Randall Allen kicked off a 365-mile “Ruck 4 Rare” challenge, an effort to walk across the state of California, to raise awareness for his son Lucas’ disorder, Creatine Transporter Deficiency (CTD).

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In the challenge, Allen and fellow “Beast Games” contestant Jeremy Grant will walk from Death Valley to Santa Barbara carrying weight on their backs, with plans to adjust the amount of weight they carry and give live recognition to supporters of the “ Ruck 4 Rare ” campaign. Their journey will be shared via daily videos on Allen’s YouTube channel, Instagram and other media platforms. This event will gamify charitable giving, ultimately supporting ACD’s “ Fueling the Future ” campaign to cure CTD.

CTD is a rare genetic disorder that limits the brain’s ability to access creatine—an essential compound for energy and development. This condition impacts speech, cognitive abilities, and motor function. Currently, there is no approved treatment for the disease.

"Because my son Lucas suffers 365 days per year due to CTD, I decided to take on the challenge of walking 365 miles in his honor,” said Allen. “Just as our family experiences so many moments of beauty found in the bumps on this rare disease road, I look forward to all the good to come out of this grueling journey as I walk on Lucas’ behalf."

Earlier this month, Allen was crowned champion of Prime Video’s “Beast Games,” winning $10 million – “the largest cash prize in TV history” – and shared his plans to support research and raise awareness for his son’s rare disease. “Beast Games” is a TV competition created by viral YouTuber Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson that began with 1,000 competitors vying to win the grand prize. Allen competed as contestant #831, enduring intense physical, mental and social challenges to compete for the number one spot.

Allen’s son Lucas is a joyful, loving, and resilient seven-year-old boy who faces daily challenges due to CTD. Until a treatment or cure is found to get creatine into his brain, Lucas will continue to need countless hours of therapy to learn to do things like talk, dress himself and perform basic self-care skills. With no effective treatment available for patients like Lucas, research is crucial to finding therapies that could change Lucas’ life and the lives of the hundreds of others living with CTD, and likely thousands more who have yet to be diagnosed.

“Our community of families affected by creatine deficiencies is so thankful for this renewed boost of hope and support in our mission to cure this rare disease,” said ACD Executive Director Heidi Wallis. “With Rare Disease Day coming up on Feb. 28, we share hope with the 300 million families around the world affected by rare diseases for a better future and path toward cures.”

ACD is committed to funding cutting-edge research, from supporting early-career scientists through fellowships to investing in high-impact translational projects including gene therapy and drug repurposing, with multiple ongoing projects showing promising results.

To learn more about Allen’s family and his mission to find a cure for Lucas and the hundreds of children around the world affected by CTD, visit creatineinfo.org/lucas.

About ACD

Founded in 2012, the Association for Creatine Deficiencies (ACD) is an international parent-led 501c3 nonprofit organization leading and funding research to cure creatine deficiencies. ACD’s mission is to fund and drive creatine deficiency research efforts, provide patient and family support through education and resources, and to advocate for diagnosis through newborn screening. The vision of ACD is that one day all patients with a creatine deficiency will be diagnosed at birth and given an effective treatment, eliminating the current diagnostic odyssey and the devastating symptoms experienced by patients.

For more information, visit creatineinfo.org.

Photo credit: Ruck4Rare

ADA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 6, 2026--

LegalShield has appointed Anthony Conte as chief financial officer, adding a seasoned finance and operations leader to its executive team as the company continues to strengthen its foundation for long-term growth.

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Conte brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience across high-growth and complex organizations, with deep expertise in financial strategy, operational leadership, business scaling and transformation. He has served in both CFO and COO roles and has helped lead businesses through significant growth, performance improvement and organizational change.

In his new role, Conte will oversee LegalShield’s finance organization and support the company’s continued focus on disciplined growth, operational strength and long-term value creation.

“Anthony brings the right mix of financial discipline, operating experience and leadership for this next chapter at LegalShield,” said Warren Schlichting, CEO of LegalShield. “He has helped guide organizations through growth and complexity, and he understands how to build on a strong foundation while respecting the people and culture that make a company work. We’re excited to welcome him to the team.”

Conte most recently served as a CFO adviser to growth-stage and middle-market companies through his work with Sagedog Advisors. Before that, he was chief financial officer of Savvas Learning Co., a national education technology and content company. He also served as chief operating officer of Wizeline, where he helped improve operating performance and drive growth across the business.

Earlier in his career, Conte spent more than a decade at EPAM Systems in senior finance leadership roles, including chief financial officer. During his time there, he helped scale the company from approximately $60 million in revenue to $1.4 billion and supported its initial public offering.

“LegalShield has built something meaningful by making legal services more accessible and affordable for everyday people,” Conte said. “I’m excited to join the team, learn the business and help build on the strong foundation already in place.”

Conte joins LegalShield during an important leadership transition as longtime CFO Steve Williamson prepares to retire after more than 25 years with the company, including more than 20 years in the CFO role. Williamson has played an active role in the transition and will remain involved to support onboarding and help ensure a smooth handoff.

“Steve has meant a great deal to LegalShield over many years, and his leadership has helped shape this company in lasting ways,” Schlichting said. “We’re grateful for his steady hand, his partnership throughout this transition and his commitment to setting Anthony and LegalShield up for success.”

About LegalShield

For more than 50 years, LegalShield has provided everyday Americans with easy and affordable access to legal advice, counsel, protection and representation. Serving millions of individuals, families and businesses across North America, LegalShield offers legal services through LegalShield and identity and reputation management services through IDShield. Founded in 1972, LegalShield has helped individuals, families, businesses and employers gain access to the tools and services they need to live with greater security and confidence. Through technology and innovation, LegalShield is transforming how and where people receive legal guidance and services by connecting them with hundreds of qualified, trusted attorneys and law firms. LegalShield and IDShield are products of Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc. To learn more, visit LegalShield.com and IDShield.com.

LegalShield Appoints Anthony Conte Chief Financial Officer