From sleepaway camp to the Appalachian Trail, Jennifer Pharr Davis’s story is one of curiosity, courage and...camp. Her early desire to "keep up" rapidly transformed into a relentless drive to find her own limits, leading her to achievements few can even imagine. In this episode, Anne Hancock Toomey sits down with the former National Geographic Adventurer of the Year to talk about how lessons from the trail have shaped her life as an athlete, business owner, and leader.

Jennifer’s path began in the mountains of North Carolina and led her to set the fastest known time on the Appalachian Trail—averaging 47 miles a day over 2,200 miles—and to create the Blue Ridge Hiking Company, inspiring thousands to connect with the outdoors. Along the way, she’s learned about resilience, risk-taking, and redefining leadership through self-awareness, faith, and the power of nature.

“If you never fail,” her camp director told her, “you haven’t set your goals high enough.”



Highlights:



2:46 – Growing Up in the North Carolina Mountains




4:18 – Lessons from Summer Camp




8:30 – First Job & Early Leadership




11:00 – First Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike




15:00 – First ‘Real Job’ & the Call of the Trail




18:00 – Founding Blue Ridge Hiking Company




22:00 – Lessons in Leadership & Longevity




23:30 – Back to the AT




31:00 – Endurance, Adversity & Teamwork




35:00 – Breaking the Record




36:00 – Advocacy & the Next Chapter




38:30 – Family, Faith & Work-Life Balance




41:00 – Leadership Lessons from the Trail




43:30 – Lightning Round



 





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