Her Wildness
Best-Selling Author of Pink Boots and a Machete
A former NFL cheerleader, daughter of Cuban immigrants, and mother of six, Dr. Mireya Mayor followed her unlikely dreams.
In short order, she became a respected primatologist, audacious explorer, National Science Foundation Fellow, Fulbright Scholar, and an Emmy Award-nominated wildlife correspondent for the National Geographic Channel.
Dr. Mireya Mayor’s exploits have earned her the nickname “the female Indiana Jones,” but the fashion-loving anthropologist always packs an accessory Harrison Ford’s character never would: a black dress — “should an unforeseen occasion arise”.
Her book Pink Boots and a Machete is available in bookstores worldwide.
Career Highlights
Primatologist and Explorer
Dr. Mayor is known for exploring the most remote regions of the earth in search of elusive, rare and little known animals. Her explorations have led to several scientific discoveries, most notably her co-discovery in Madagascar of the world’s smallest primate, a brand new species to science.
Mayor has been hailed as the “female Indiana Jones,” and is an inspiration to young women interested in science and exploration.
Award-winning TV Host
Mayor has been a TV host and presenter for nearly two decades. She can be seen on dozens of National Geographic documentaries, including Explorer, Ultimate Explorer and her Nat Geo WILD series, Wild Nights With Mireya Mayor. She also starred in Mark Burnett’s Expedition Africa on History Channel, hosted Nat Geo Mundo’s "La Cuba De Hoy” and currently stars on Travel Channel's hit series, Expedition Bigfoot.
Speaker and Educator
As Director of Exploration and Science Communications at FIU, Mireya is developing an innovative program to help scientists effectively communicate complex topics in straightforward and exciting ways to multiple audiences including government officials, news media and the general public. Her efforts to inspire and catalyze change have been recognized with the prestigious National Geographic "Emerging Explorer", Fulbright “Global Changemaker” and Stony Brook's 40 under 40 awards.
As Seen On
The Today Show
Good Morning America
MSNBC
Nightline
Inside Edition
CNN
