Samantha Gash

Samantha Gash exemplifies the power of perseverance and transformation. Her journey from a successful corporate lawyer to a renowned endurance athlete and social impact entrepreneur is a testament to her belief that achieving extraordinary results requires stepping outside one’s comfort zone.

Samantha embodies her philosophy that "if you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done". She traded in her high-profile legal career at one of the world’s largest international law firms to change the world through highly collaborative social impact campaigns. As a trailblazer in the endurance world, she made history as the first woman and youngest person to complete the Four Deserts Grand Slam, a gruelling challenge spanning 1,000 kilometres across the planet's most extreme deserts.

Samantha’s impressive achievements include running from West to India in just 77 days to raise awareness for education, traversing Nepal’s Great Himalaya Trail to support financial literacy programs, and completing a non-stop 379 kilometre run across Australia's Simpson Desert for educational resources in remote Aboriginal communities. These feats don’t only showcase her physical endurance, but additionally, deeply intertwine her commitment to social impact. To date, she has raised over $1.5 million for charities such as World Vision, Save the Children, and the Australian Red Cross.

As the founder of Her Trails, a global adventure platform for women, Samantha delivers online holistic trail running programs that cultivate resilience, interconnectedness, and play, alongside immersive retreats. Her work extends beyond physical challenges; she leverages her platform to foster personal growth and community impact.

Samantha’s storytelling is as powerful as her athletic accomplishments. Through authentic narratives and dramatic documentary footage, she connects deeply with audiences, offering valuable insights into resilience, leadership, and personal growth. Her presentations are more than just motivational; they provide actionable strategies for embracing discomfort, fostering high-performing teams, and navigating industry disruption. Her topics include, Resilience and Agility, Creating High-Performing Teams Through Synergy and Understanding, Unlocking Transformation and Growth, Embracing Human-Centric Leadership in Times of Uncertainty, Igniting Employee Engagement, and Preventing Burnout and Enhancing Well-being.

Samantha’s impactful presentations have earned her numerous accolades including featured roles in three award-winning documentaries, finalist positions in the Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards in the Agenda Setter Category, and a delegate role in the Australia India Youth Dialogue. Her insights and experiences have transformed organisations and individuals alike, providing them with the tools to overcome perceived limitations and achieve extraordinary results.

Beyond her professional endeavours, Samantha's personal life includes her experience as a competitor on Australian Survivor. Alongside her partner Mark Wales, she now delivers workshops that integrate insights from endurance expeditions and military special operations, enhancing performance and leadership in diverse settings. In March 2020, she launched the Sam Gash Podcast, a peak performing podcast that hosts adventurers, innovators, entrepreneurs, athletes & artists.

Samantha Gash is more than an inspiring speaker; she is a dynamic force for change, guiding individuals and organisations toward greater resilience, purpose, and impact. She can be seen presenting at events worldwide, showcasing her authentic storytelling and dramatic documentary footage. Samantha will guide your team through managing industry disruption and learning to become comfortable in the discomfort, in an engaging and memorable way.