https://iview.abc.net.au/video/NC2121H001S00 

A decade ago, Turia Pitt was running an ultramarathon when a grassfire caused burns to 65% of her body. Doctors weren’t sure she’d survive, but she encapsulates what it means to have ‘grit’. She joins Kurt Fearnley for a run by the beach, and a conversation about determination. 

TEDx Talks

Oct 22, 2014

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Three years ago, I lay in a silent world – in a medically induced coma, for a month. I actually passed away three times on the operating table. Yet here I am, and incredibly grateful to share my story today. I was badly burned during the 2011 Kimberley ultra-marathon; there was no way I could foretell the day that would change my life forever. Turia Pitt was named Cosmopolitan’s ‘Woman of the Year’ for 2013, short-listed for this year’s ‘Young Australian of the Year’ and the winner of the recent NSW ‘Woman of the Year’ Awards. She is a burns survivor, motivational speaker, engineer and published author. She has a double degree in Mining Engineering and Science and graduated with first class honours. She worked as a model before landing her dream job with Rio Tinto at their prestigious Argyle Diamond Mine and moving to Kununurra with her partner, Michael. Their lives were turned upside-down when she was trapped by a grassfire in a 100-kilometre ultra-marathon in September 2011, and suffered burns to over 65 per cent of her body. She completed the Variety Cycle from Sydney to Uluru, the 20 kilometre Lake Argyle Swim and a section of the Great Wall of China. She is a passionate ambassador for Interplast, a charity that provides free reconstructive surgery to people in developing countries. In 2014 she managed to raise almost $200,000 for this cause with a team of incredible women. In 2015, she will lead another group to the Inca Trail (Peru). https://www.interplast.org.au/ She undertook her MBA last year, hopes to compete in an Iron Man in 2016, is excited to have a family with her wonderful partner Michael and has aspirations to study Medicine. Her memoir ‘Everything to Live For’ was published late in 2013. About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)