Adventurer. Author. Speaker. Entrepreneur.
Bookings
Hard Won Lessons from the Appalachian Trail and beyond
Being struck by lightning. Trudging through a blizzard with one eye frozen shut. Hiking 47 miles a day for 46 days straight on the Appalachian Trail. Jennifer Pharr Davis understands what it takes to keep going... resilience, endurance, self care, communication, and teamwork in extreme environments. Her powerful storytelling has inspired audience around the world. Let her inspire your group to go farther, push beyond perceived limits, and accomplish more than they ever thought possible.
- Audiences: companies, universities, trade associations, secondary schools, other nonprofits.
- Topics: leadership under pressure, resilience, risk, self care, teamwork, vision, direction
- Style: thoughtful, authentic, experience-driven
Recent Clients
National Geographic
Adventurer of the Year
Jennifer Pharr Davis was selected as a National Geographic Adventurer of the Year for redefining what modern exploration looks like—pairing elite endurance with creative problem solving and rethinking what is possible. Best known for her 47 mile per day Appalachian Trail speed record, she was recognized not simply for athletic achievement, but for advancing a deeper, more thoughtful sense of adventure. Jennifer has also...
- served on the United States President's Council for Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition
- been named one Men's Journal's 25 Most Adventurous Women of the Past 25 Years
- received the Governor of North Carolina's Laurel Wreath Award for Exceptional Athletic Achievement
- been featured in the IMAX film Into America's Wild, narrated by Morgan Freeman
Women-Up Asheville Chamber
Entrepreneur of the Year
Jennifer Pharr Davis was awarded the Women-Up Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce for building a mission-driven business grounded in expertise, integrity, and community impact. The recognition highlights her ability to translate world-class vision and achievement into sustainable entrepreneurship rooted in Asheville.
- She took a risk and started Blue Ridge Hiking Company when she was only 25 years old.
- Introduced thousands of clients to the Blue Ridge Mountains, with an emphasis on women, minorities, and other groups who were historically underrepresented in the outdoor space
- Successfully transitioned the guiding service to her long-time general manager so that she could pursue a Masters in Public Policy and focus more time on speaking, writing, and environmentalism
About Jennifer
Being struck by lighting. Trudging through a blizzard with one eye frozen shut. Covering 47 miles a day for 46 straight days on the legendary Appalachian Trail. Hiking 500 miles through the rugged Spanish Pyrenees in her second and third trimesters. Walking 1,100 miles across North Carolina while nursing her newborn son.
These are the experiences that have made Jennifer Pharr Davis who she is. "The Serena Williams of long-distance hiking" (PBS). An award winning author and small business owner, a wife and mother who juggled evening grad school classes with a robust speaking career, an environmental activist and National Geographic Adventurer of the Year who served on the President’s Council for Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.
Jennifer Pharr Davis knows how to keep going- to persevere, remain adaptable, communicate clearly, rely on a team, take care of herself in extreme environments... and shatter a glass ceiling. She’s done it time and again. Let her inspire your group to go farther and accomplish more than they ever thought possible.
As Seen In
"Jennifer Pharr Davis is an understated hero who matched the speed and endurance of some of the country’s best male ultrarunners—professional athletes with corporate sponsorships and well-financed expeditions—all on her own and with relatively little fanfare"
"During my nearly thirty years in schools I have come across a precious few individuals who can thoroughly capture the hearts and minds of an adolescent audience. Jennifer Pharr Davis is one of them."
"Jennifer’s story is more than just breaking records; it's a story about triumph over hardship – pushing far beyond what she thought she was capable of doing... about support and dedication to others; acknowledging that her journey is more than just her own accomplishments."
"Jennifer’s story will touch every emotion and leave you amazed at her towering strength and perseverance. The feedback from our Women's Leadership Summit was tremendous!"
"Jennifer gave a terrific presentation at our Google campus! She is a world class athlete and an equally impressive speaker. I would highly recommend her for business gatherings of any size."
"Jennifer Pharr Davis is the Serena Williams of long-distance hiking."
