Sarah Marquis

Sarah Marquis is a Swiss adventurer, explorer, and author recognized for her solo long-distance expeditions across some of the world's most remote and challenging environments. Marquis has dedicated more than two decades to exploring the connection between humans and nature, undertaking journeys that span thousands of kilometers and multiple continents. As a National Geographic Explorer, she has completed the equivalent of a round-the-world trek, venturing into some of the planet's wildest regions. Her books have sold over 500,000 copies globally.

Marquis established her reputation through a series of ambitious expeditions. She traversed the United States from the Canadian border to the Mexican border in just over four months, spent 17 months walking 8,700 miles around Australia, and completed an eight-month, 4,350-mile journey through the Andes. One of her most notable achievements involved walking 20,000 kilometers alone from Siberia to the Gobi Desert, continuing through China, Laos, Thailand, and across Australia. During this journey, Marquis faced challenges such as encounters with drug traffickers, thieves on horseback, extreme temperatures, dangerous wildlife, dengue fever in the Laos jungle, and a life-threatening abscess. This expedition inspired her book, "Wild by Nature: From Siberia to Australia, Three Years Alone in the Wilderness on Foot."

Marquis has received several honors, including European Adventurer of the Year, National Geographic Adventurer of the Year nominee, and National Geographic Explorer of the Year. She has been profiled in The New York Times Magazine and served as a resident explorer at National Geographic, where she undertook the expedition Dropped Into the Wild Corner. In this project, Marquis was dropped by helicopter into the remote Kimberley region of Australia, where she walked 500 miles over three months while living off the land. She also completed a three-month expedition in the Australian Outback titled "Back to the Origins," crossing the deserts of Great Victoria and Gibson. Her book about this adventure is her tenth publication.

In addition to her expeditions, Marquis supports charitable initiatives, raising funds for wildlife and dog shelters in Australia and Thailand. She identifies as an ambassador for nature, working to bridge the gap between the natural world and modern society, and encouraging individuals to trust their instincts and intuition. Marquis has delivered a TED talk and frequently speaks at TED and TEDx events, sharing insights from her solo expeditions on decision-making, resilience, and innovation. She has presented more than 500 talks worldwide in English and French, focusing on the relationship between humans and the natural environment.