Nicole Snell
Contributing Writer
The author testing a pair of boots. Photo by Gina Danza @wildginaa
I’m Nicole Snell — a passionate solo hiker, international speaker, TEDx Speaker and the owner of Girls Fight Back, a violence prevention & empowerment-based self-defense company that teaches people of all genders. I’m also the founder of Outdoor Defense, a YouTube series about staying safe and reducing fear while enjoying the outdoors solo.
I’m an outspoken advocate for hiking, safety, diversity, inclusion, and protecting our natural lands. I spent 7 years as a hike leader for Black Girls Trekkin and was a HOKA Global Advocate for 4 years. I’ve taught workshops and led trainings on outdoor safety for many outdoor brands and groups including HOKA, Teva, Strava, Runner’s Alliance, Kula Cloth, UC Field Safety Leadership Conference, and She Dreams of Alpine. My violence prevention work has taken me around the world and I’ve trained every branch of the US Military, colleges, companies, the NFL, tribal nations, healthcare providers, conferences, and more.
Since a young age, exploring and hiking have been an important part of my life. I grew up outside Joshua Tree National Park and spent my childhood exploring the nearby desert, rocks, and wildlife.
As an adult, I have continued that passion. I have visited all 50 states and hiked around the world (mostly solo), including Japan, Rwanda, New Zealand, South Korea, Galapagos Islands, Wales, Andorra, and the 4 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. I summited Mt. Whitney in 2022 and I frequently backpack and camp in the Eastern Sierras in the summer. I love helping others discover the joys of nature and I’ve taught outdoor preparedness workshops at the Natural History Museum and the Claremont Colleges.
My TEDx Talk, “What Would You Do If You Felt Safe” was selected as an Editor’s Pick and in 2020 I won a Webby Award for hosting the Tastemade Travel Self Defense for Female Travelers video. I've received several honors and awards for my work including the 2023 NASPA Peer Initiatives Award and a 2025 Certificate of Appreciation from Moody Air Force Base.
I have been featured in a variety of global media outlets as a subject matter expert for my violence prevention, outdoor safety and empowerment expertise including: KTLA5, Dateline NBC, Women’s Health Magazine, Outside Magazine, and National Geographic. I’ve been a guest on over 50 podcasts including Nike Trained, and the Fox True Crime Podcast. I am committed to helping people enjoy the outdoors (and the world) feeling safe, powerful, confident, and limitless.
Because of my experiences on numerous trails, I can appreciate and evaluate the various features of different gear to help others decide what will work best for them.
Instagram: @adventuresofnik
Website: nicolesnell.com
