Me, Tarzan? You better believe it
Why are female explorers so rarely seen in today’s TV jungle, asks Lucy Shepherd
Tim Taylor Photography
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As a child, I wanted to play the hero, battling through the elements, taking risks and having adventures. But in everything I watched, from Disney’s Aladdin to Tarzan, it was always the boy saving the day. The “damsel in distress” didn’t appeal, so I gravitated towards the male role while playing make-believe – we could all be Tarzan, scaling tree trunks and swinging from the vines of willow trees. Now that I explore real jungles, that technique has come in handy – although, as a fully grown woman, I require a stronger vine.
In Secret Amazon: Into the Wild, my first TV series, I lead four of my friends, who also happen to be indigenous Amerindian men, during 50 tough days, deep into the uncharted Amazon rainforest. From coming face to face with 12ft-long deadly, venomous bushmaster snakes to the lurking menace of black caimans, we faced dangers at every turn.
As well as catching a glimpse of the wildlife, in the series you’ll also spot a species rarely seen in today’s TV jungle – the female explorer. Women are out there doing incredible things, but they’re not getting the airtime men do. While Disney movies have embraced strong female characters, why has TV adventuring not moved with the times?
It’s a shame, but perhaps not that surprising that even today, I experience a level of judgement for being a woman. I’m now 32 and have been leading expeditions for well over a decade, was made a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society aged 23 and became the youngest member of the Scientific Exploration Society Council. Yet some still cast doubt on my expeditions or question the authenticity of my leadership. Hopefully, my documentary speaks for itself.
Explorers have an image of being big muscly men. Of course that’s nonsense. Equally, you don’t have to be a particular type of woman to do the job. I like luxury comforts and girly things just as much as the next person! With extreme humidity and ten-hour days wading, climbing and crawling through thick forests and swamps, we carried as little as possible on our backs – bow and arrow in one hand, machete in the other. Makeup isn’t a priority packing item but tweezers, for picking out ticks, are also handy for tidying eyebrows.
I regularly guide expeditions to the Arctic and I notice that the feminine qualities that women naturally tend to have more of – compassion, self-reliance, pure grit, teamwork, less ego, determination to get the job done – are useful in those unforgiving environments.
Lucy Shepherd cites Bear Grylls as an inspiration. Netflix
In the programme, you will see me cry when my best friend, “good luck charm” and strongest team member, Vivian Smith, is injured. While making a raft, a seemingly innocuous bamboo spike penetrates his arm and hits a nerve, paralysing it. I can’t get it out and he is unable to continue, putting the expedition in jeopardy. But showing your vulnerabilities is a strength. Bottling up feelings can have negative consequences and we don’t want that in the jungle.
Explorers have an image of being big muscly men. Of course that’s nonsense.
As an only child growing up in Suffolk, I developed a vivid imagination, making up stories in my head or with plastic figurines. I was inspired by Bear Grylls, Steve Backshall and Bruce Parry. They showed me how diverse the world was, and still inspire me to this day. Later, I picked up a camcorder and filmed my stories. I’ve not looked back, self-shooting this Amazon expedition. But I wonder, if I hadn’t had that imagination, would I have been able to put myself in those male hiking boots?
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Seeing female adventurers and explorers on screen is powerful, not just because it might inspire a new generation. Being an explorer sounds ridiculous without context, I understand that, and it is an extreme way of life and not for everyone. But it’s a demonstration of a different way of being, one that is open to more curiosity and wonder. Watching all walks of life in the treacherous jungle, spending weeks without sunlight, fighting off trench foot and eating piranhas, will, I hope, inspire viewers to do whatever they want, particularly if it’s against the grain. It takes guts to follow your heart.
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