Kirsten Gum is an adventure traveler,
sports commentator
In sports broadcasting, a sports commentator (also known as sports announcer or sportscaster) provides a real-time commentary of a game or event, usually during a live broadcast, traditionally delivered in the historical present tense. Radio was ...
, and
raw food chef. She was also the host of the
reality television series ''Cash & Treasures'' and ''Treasure Hunter: Kirsten Gum'' on the
Travel Channel.
Early life and education
Kirsten was born in Alaska but raised on an apple orchard in
Okanogan, Washington,
and attended the
University of Washington, where she graduated from the Broadcast Journalism and Political Science schools.
Career
Television
After working as one-woman broadcast team in
Jefferson City, Missouri
Jefferson City, informally Jeff City, is the capital of Missouri, United States. It had a population of 43,228 at the 2020 census, ranking as the 15th most populous city in the state. It is also the county seat of Cole County and the princip ...
,
Gum landed her first on-air jobs as a news reporter and sportscaster in
Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Fox 18 WCCB
in
Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was a
news anchor and was voted "Sexiest Woman in Charlotte."
She then went on to host the following television shows over a period that lasted nearly two decades:
's ''
Totally NASCAR
''Totally NASCAR'' was a newscast about NASCAR racing that aired on Fox Sports Net. The program returned in 2010 in NASCAR, 2010 after a 6-year absence, but in a different format from the show that was originally shown from 2001 in NASCAR, 2001 t ...
,''
’s ''Outdoor Block,''
Outdoor Living Network’s
Tour de France studio show (where she was the first-ever female host for the event),
's ''Treasure Hunter: Kirsten Gum'', and
Discovery HD Theater
Motor Trend is an American sports television network owned by Motor Trend Group, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery through its sports unit. It primarily broadcasts automotive-themed programming, including motorsports events.
It was or ...
's ''What's My Car Worth?''
At one time, Gum was considered the most recognizable woman in sports commenting.
Raw Food Chef
Gum currently works as a raw food chef, having received her certification from Living Light Raw Foods Culinary Institute in
Fort Bragg, California.
She has taught raw food instruction at the Japan Living Beauty Association, where she also sits on the board of directors.
Personal life
In addition to covering sports, Gum has led an active life, coming in as part of the second-place team in Virginia's 400-mile adventure race the "Beast of the East" in October 2005.
She went on to compete in
Primal Quest
Primal Quest is an expedition adventure race that has been called one of the most difficult athletic events in the world and was cited as the most prestigious expedition event in North America. Co-ed teams of four trail run, mountain bike, kayak, ...
, an expedition-length
adventure race
Adventure racing (also called expedition racing) is typically a multidisciplinary team sport involving navigation over an unmarked wilderness course with races extending anywhere from two hours up to two weeks in length. Some races offer solo co ...
that has been called one of the most difficult athletic events in the world and was cited as the most prestigious expedition event in North America.
[Leadership in the Wild, Forbes, June 26, 2006, p. 37]
Gum is also an avid environmentalist.
References
External links
* of Kirsten Gum
* of ''Treasure Hunter: Kirsten Gum''
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gum, Kirsten
Living people
Television personalities from Los Angeles
American women television personalities
People from Okanogan, Washington
American chefs
American sports journalists
1972 births
American women chefs
University of Washington College of Arts and Sciences alumni
People from Venice, Los Angeles
21st-century American women