Samantha Gash

SAMANTHA GASH – Ultra-marathon runner, Speaker, Podcast Host and Social Impact Champion

Nothing can stop Samantha Gash armed with the philosophy, if you want something you’ve never had – you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.

An accomplished lawyer working for the largest international law firm in the world, Samantha traded in her heels for running shoes and went out to change the world through highly collaborative social impact campaigns. With true grit, unrelenting focus and the willingness to create the next best plan in the face of chaos and change, she has created lasting impact.

Samantha was the first woman and the youngest person at the time, to complete the Four Deserts Grand Slam – one of the world’s toughest endurance competitions that spans 1000kms across the hottest, coldest, driest and windiest deserts on earth.

After years of pushing her mental and physical boundaries she now uses running as a vehicle for social change through advocacy; peer to peer fundraising and integrated digital campaigns. Sam has now raised $1.4 million dollars for charities through running & social impact campaigns.

In 2016, she became a Goodwill Ambassador for World Vision and used her growing platform and endurance experience to raise awareness of the barriers to quality education for Indian children. 3200kms, 77 days and $150K later, she did just that.

In 2014, Samantha co-founded Freedom Runners – an initiative that combined a fundraising and awareness campaign around the high cost of feminine hygiene products for women in Sub-Saharan Africa and its link to female absenteeism in school. Over 32 days she ran

1,968kms across South Africa’s rugged Freedom Trail, navigating her way through river crossings, mountain ranges, thick bamboo and wildlife. $55K was raised for a Save the Children initiative.

She is featured in two award winning documentaries – Desert Runners and Run India; was a delegate for the Australia and India Youth Dialogue conference; has a publishing contract with Macmillan; is a Global Ambassador for Lululemon; is a Pride of Australia nominee and finalist in the Women’s Agenda leadership awards in the Agenda Setter and Inspirational Leaders category.

Samantha and her husband will feature in Bear Gryll’s new 10-part series on Amazon Prime called ‘The World’s Toughest Race’. A 700km extreme adventure race in Fiji that took place in September 2019 where Samantha led a team of three men.

In 2020 Samantha launched:

• The Relief RunSam Gash Podcast – hosting conversations with rule breakers, trail blazers – those who pave their own lane. It has reached over 25,000 downloads and guests have included: Emelie Forsberg, Mark Healey, Dean Karnazes, James Lawrence, Nick Butter & Ray Zahab.
• Her Youtube Channel which will be a hub for inspiration, running insights, mindset strategies and adventure tips.

In 2021 Samantha launched:

• Her Trails – a new platform for women wanting to train to achieve a 21.1 km trail program.
• Women's Business - On Country 4 day retreat for women in NT hosted by Samantha.