Episode 14 - Samantha Gash - Endurance Athlete, Social Entrepreneur & Motivational Speaker
In 2010, Samantha made history by becoming the first woman and youngest person to complete the Four Deserts Grand Slam, conquering 4 x 250km ultramarathons across the world’s toughest deserts (Atacama, Gobi, Sahara, Antarctic) in one calendar year. At the time, only two male athletes had achieved this feat. Her incredible journey was documented in the 2013 film Desert Runners, which delves into the mindset of endurance athletes. 🏜️🏆
But Samantha’s achievements don’t stop there. In 2012, she ran 379 km non-stop across Australia’s Simpson Desert, raising funds for a Save the Children education initiative. In 2014, she co-founded Freedom Runners with UK ultra-runner Mimi Anderson, running 1,968 km across South Africa’s Freedom Trail to raise awareness about the high cost of feminine hygiene products in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In 2016, Samantha took on the monumental Run India campaign, running 3,253 km across India to explore barriers to quality education, raising over $150,000 for World Vision. Her efforts have consistently linked endurance running with social change, focusing on female empowerment and access to education. 🌍💪
Personally, I learnt a lot after sitting down with Samantha, her dedication to making a difference, and her ongoing work with Her Trails is nothing short of inspiring.
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