Jared Fisher is the co-founder and director of Escape Adventures, an international leader in human-powered travel. Since launching the company in 1992 with his wife, Heather, Jared has transformed a college marketing project into a premier outfitter known for high-end mountain biking, cycling, and multi-sport tours across the Western U.S. and beyond.
A graduate of UNLV with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Jared blends hospitality expertise with a fierce commitment to sustainability. This is best exemplified by his ownership of Las Vegas Cyclery, housed in a “Net Zero” LEED Platinum-certified facility powered entirely by solar and wind energy.
Beyond the boardroom, Jared is a world-class endurance athlete. He has completed multiple solo, self-supported transcontinental cycling treks, including a 3,200-mile ride from California to Florida in just 17 days. His passion for the outdoors and civic duty led him to run for Governor of Nevada in 2018. Campaigning as a “political outsider,” he famously cycled across the state to engage voters on his platform of renewable energy, education, and the environment.
Based in Las Vegas, Jared remains a vocal advocate for conservation and bipartisan cooperation, balancing his professional ventures with a highly active family life.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Every day starts with physical activity and something good for my mental health. I always take my dogs out first thing in the morning and let them run around. They make me smile—actually they make me laugh—and that’s a healthy way to start the day.
After that I browse through my emails and delete the ones that don’t make sense and flag the ones I need to respond to. But I don’t sit down and answer them right away. Instead, I grab my mountain bike and head out on a quiet road where there are no cars. While I’m riding, I answer my emails.
It feels like I’m killing two birds with one stone. I’m getting exercise and getting work done at the same time. Being outdoors also helps me think more clearly about how I respond to people.
For the past five years I’ve also had a personal goal of climbing one million feet of elevation each year on my mountain bike. That usually means riding two to three hours per day. It keeps me accountable and helps me stay consistent with my goals.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Most of my ideas come to life by simply taking the step into the unknown.
I often remind myself that life is a limited-time offer. Those words keep me slightly uncomfortable, but in a good way. If I don’t take a chance, I’ll never know what might have been possible, and I don’t like living with that kind of uncertainty.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I like seeing people go for it and worry less about what others think.
That’s something I’ve struggled with myself over the years. I’ve always been aware of what people might think about what I’m doing. But I’ve learned to push through that. It’s exciting to see others doing the same thing—especially people who naturally worry about things but are learning to move forward anyway.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Without a doubt, cycling.
I’ve loved riding bikes my entire life—from BMX and freestyle to road cycling, triathlons, and bikepacking across the United States and Europe. Cycling constantly exposes me to new places and new experiences.
Those experiences are where my best ideas come from. And good ideas are the foundation of productivity in my world.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Honestly, I would tell my younger self to regret nothing.
In reality, I wouldn’t change anything about my younger self. The person I was then is exactly who I needed to be to become the person I am today.
My younger self took chances, explored the world, and had faith. I still do those things today—just with a little more experience.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe giving yourself a handicap can make you stronger.
For example, I ride a mountain bike that is probably twice as heavy as the bikes my friends ride. People always tell me I should get a lighter bike so I can ride faster.
But I actually like the challenge. The heavier bike forces me to work harder and keeps me grounded. Even though I can’t always keep up with my friends, I still finish the ride with them—and that’s enough for me.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Learn something new every day.
Whether it’s something physical, intellectual, or philosophical, learning helps you make better decisions. It helps you negotiate better, handle uncomfortable situations better, and become a better person overall.
Learning makes you a better spouse, friend, parent, and business leader.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I go outside.
Sometimes I talk to myself. Sometimes I swear a little. Sometimes I just think.
The important thing is that I don’t rush to respond when I’m overwhelmed. I give myself time to think things through from every angle. The more time I allow myself to process something, the more grounded I become and the better the decision usually is.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
The biggest strategy that helped me grow my business was saying yes before I knew exactly how I was going to do something.
Early on, when customers asked for something that seemed impossible, I tried not to say no. Instead, I would say yes and then figure it out.
One example happened in the early days of my bike tour company. A group called and asked if we could take 100 people on a bike tour just outside of Las Vegas.
At the time we had one van and four bicycles.
Instead of saying no, I said yes. Then I hung up the phone and figured out how to make it happen. That moment helped push our company forward and eventually led to building Escape Adventures into one of the most recognized bike tour companies in the United States.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career I learned that I needed to remove my pride and lock it away.
In the early days of the bike touring business I argued with some clients and handled the situation poorly. I’ll never forget how I handled it and how the guests responded.
That experience taught me a huge lesson about humility, listening, and always putting the customer experience first. Sometimes the best growth comes from the moments you wish you could redo.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Never interrupt your competitors while they are making a mistake.
Sometimes the best strategy is simply staying focused on doing things right while others make poor decisions. If you stay consistent and disciplined, opportunities naturally shift in your direction.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
The smartphone is probably the most powerful productivity tool I use.
It allows me to run my business from anywhere in the world. I can communicate with staff, respond to clients, manage logistics, and make decisions from the road. It has allowed me to travel with my family while still staying connected to my businesses.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?/
The best $100 I recently spent was actually a $100 tip at a Red Robin restaurant in Idaho.
Our waitress worked incredibly hard and provided amazing service. The tip ended up being more than the cost of the meal. But the reason I did it was because my daughter was there with me.
I wanted her to see that people who work hard deserve recognition. Sometimes an experience and appreciation are worth far more than the dollar value attached to it.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One of the books that had a strong impact on me was “No Apology” by Mitt Romney.
While I don’t necessarily agree with all of his personal beliefs, I respect the way he approaches leadership and business. He is very good at compartmentalizing issues and making decisions. There are many lessons in the book for entrepreneurs and leaders.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I enjoy movies and shows that make me laugh and that I can watch with my family.
Some favorites are Holes, Kangaroo Jack, and the old sitcom ALF from the late 1980s. The humor still holds up and they’re shows that everyone in the family can watch together without cringing.
Key learnings
- Daily physical activity and time outdoors can improve creativity, mental clarity, and productivity.
- Taking calculated risks and saying yes to opportunities can open unexpected paths for growth.
- Continuous learning and new experiences help entrepreneurs make better decisions.
- Humility and focusing on customer experience are essential for long-term business success.
- Consistency, persistence, and embracing discomfort are often more important than perfect planning.