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.”
Episode Highlights
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2:46 – Growing Up in the North Carolina Mountains
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4:18 – Lessons from Summer Camp
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8:30 – First Job & Early Leadership
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11:00 – First Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike
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15:00 – First ‘Real Job’ & the Call of the Trail
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18:00 – Founding Blue Ridge Hiking Company
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22:00 – Lessons in Leadership & Longevity
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23:30 – Back to the AT
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31:00 – Endurance, Adversity & Teamwork
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35:00 – Breaking the Record
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36:00 – Advocacy & the Next Chapter
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38:30 – Family, Faith & Work-Life Balance
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41:00 – Leadership Lessons from the Trail
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43:30 – Lightning Round
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