‘I Credit My Mind More Than My Body’: Meet Endurance Athlete Samantha Gash

It’s not very often that I’m left speechless, but whenever I see anything that Samantha Gash does, that feeling of disbelief and awe creeps in.

She’s run non-stop across the Simpson Desert, completed a 67-day, 3,253km run from the west to the east of India, and completed the 1,968km Freedom Trail in South Africa in 32 days. Being a trailblazer doesn’t get more blazing than this.

But Sam is more than just an endurance athlete. She’s a Mum, corporate speaker, lawyer, and founder of adventure platform Her Trails, which offers community events and training for female trail runners.

‘I don’t think titles can really define you,’ says Sam.

When it comes to growth, Sam is the undisputed Queen. She’s constantly pushing her boundaries physically and mentally and has raised over $1.5 million for various charities in the process. Not bad for someone who says they never saw themselves as sporty.

‘I definitely didn’t see myself as sporty as a kid,’ smiles Sam. ‘But I always had this side of me that wanted to push my boundaries whilst breaking the mould of what society expects. I’ve tried to do both and play in arenas where women haven’t typically belonged.’

Chatting with Sam, it’s obvious that she loves adventure and endurance, but it’s just as evident that she could have applied this drive, and commitment to just about anything she was passionate about.

Sam sending in the new Hoka Speedgoat 6

So why running? It turns out we have her Mum to thank.

‘I don’t think Mum has ever run a step in her life,’ says Sam. ‘But when I was younger, I was a little bit obsessive, and when studying, I spent my time writing essay after essay. Mum saw my movement start to decrease and encouraged me to get out once daily for a run or walk.’

Read more: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide To Trail Running

A 6km loop around Lysterfield Lake, near her childhood home, soon became her solace. It also kickstarted a lifelong love of movement – something she says is now critical for her curiosity, internal and external stability, and mental wellbeing.

‘I didn’t know what to call it, but now I recognise it as mindfulness,’ says Sam. ‘That 6km loop became a space where I was fully in the moment. The act of running was hard for me, so I really had to focus and be present. I wasn’t fixating on studying and all the things I needed to do.’

Read more: ‘Survivor’ is Harder Than it Looks – Samantha Gash is Using Her Adventure Experience to Go For The Win

And she’s loved being in her flow state ever since

From Non-Runner to Record-Breaking Superwoman

Sam went on to run her first marathon in 2016, as part of a ‘Year of Yes’, a challenge she set herself after realising she said ‘no’ to too many opportunities. It’s an unbelievable contrast to the fearless adventurer we know today.

‘It was an absolute punish the whole way,’ she says. ‘I only had 18 weeks to train, but the confidence of the friend I was running with was compelling. Although I had doubts, I completed the race and it became a catalyst for me.’

From there, Sam’s endurance feats have only got bigger, better, and more awe-inspiring.

Get ready to be impressed with the lengths she’s run

Her first ultra was a self-supported 250km crossing of Chile’s Atacama Desert, carrying a huge backpack of supplies.

It was part of the 4 Deserts Grand Slam, where entrants complete four ultras: the Namib Race in Namibia, the Gobi March in Mongolia, the Atacama Crossing in Chile, and The Last Desert in Antarctica. She became the first woman and the youngest person to complete it.

Inspired by Canadian ultra runner Ray Zaharb, who undertook a Sahara Desert run for his charity Impossible to Possible, Sam also began incorporating a social impact element into her challenges. Her Simpson Desert crossing supported Save the Children, while her huge run across India was as an ambassador for World Vision.

‘Twelve years down the track, you have to be so much more innovative and creative to raise funds,’ Sam reflects.

The Importance of Moving Every Day

Outside of her seemingly constant jaw-dropping athletic and charitable achievements, Sam works hard to maintain a daily connection with the outdoors. Surprisingly, it’s not running itself that brings her joy.

‘I’m not obsessed with running, even though running has become a big part of my identity. Or, at least, the way other people see me,’ says Sam. ‘But I know I need to be outdoors and moving my body to feel good. It’s an integral part of how I live my life and critical to my equilibrium.’

I think a lot of us can agree that movement outdoors is essential

Luckily, living in the Dandenong Ranges, means exploring movement and nature is relatively easy. Getting out to explore the local trails is her circuit breaker.

Led by a desire to break down the barriers that stop other women from getting outside, Sam set up Her Trails during COVID-19. There are now 10 locations around Australia and New Zealand hosting community group runs, trail running programs, and immersive adventures and cultural retreats.

‘One of the big barriers women worry about is pace,’ says Sam.

Another barrier Sam has noticed over the years is that women tend to underestimate their abilities; not realising that the problem-solving, tenacity, and resilience from other areas of their lives can translate directly to the trails. Especially, when it comes to the strategic thinking needed for longer endurance events.

She’s living (and running) proof that we can push past our perceived mental barriers

‘I believe our past experiences shape us for any adventure, be it physical or mental, and I want women to recognise that they are more capable than they think,’ says Sam. ‘But you have to show up. If you don’t give yourself a chance, you will always live in the narrative that you’re not good enough and don’t belong.’

Read more: Meet Curvy Sam, the Hiker Championing Inclusivity in the Outdoors

A True Trailblazer Isn’t Afraid of Failure

It’s difficult not to be inspired by Sam’s approach to life. As she says, our time on this planet is limited. We need to make the most of it. To do that, we need to silence the thoughts we think other people have about us and change how we speak about ourselves.

‘The words we use to describe ourselves hold significant power, and I’ve always embraced the term ‘trailblazer’,’ says Sam. ‘To me, that means fearlessly navigating paths unknown—be it a literal mountain trail or any new challenge life presents.’

In a world filled with perceived limitations, Sam is a reminder that the true adventure lies in embracing the unknown and daring to redefine what’s possible.

Read more: Blood, Sweat, and Tears: The Inspiring Story Behind Bailey’s 14-Month Hike

Photos thanks to @mattcherub