How to Push Beyond Your Limits

23 June 2011

How to Push Beyond Your Limits

Suffering severe asthma as a child and a broken back at 21, Lisa Tamati was always an unlikely candidate for ultramarathon running*. But with motivation and sheer bloody-minded determination she now competes in the most remote and extreme races in the world.

At a Robert Half business breakfast, held in Auckland this week, the ultramarathon runner inspired the audience by sharing her story on rising above adversity to achieve greatness.

Tamati's motto is "you can do anything if you really want it", and her 13-year running career is a tribute to that. She has run over 65,000km - more than twice around the equator, has raced in over 20 countries and completed more than 130 ultramarathons. She shows no signs of stopping any time soon.

This motto can be applied to the workplace: "Goal setting is imperative to achieving your dreams - what you put your mind to, you can achieve," said Tamati. "I am not a particularly talented runner, but was born with stubbornness and a desire to succeed."

Tamati explained how, like with running, having the determination and desire to succeed is also key in a business environment; "Often getting to the start line is the biggest battle. Age, gender, size or natural talent doesn't matter - what matters is the top two inches of your body - if you are prepared mentally and have the willpower, you can do anything."

"It's also vitally important to surround yourself with the right people to help you get the job done. These people should inspire and support you, pick you up when you need it and give you the motivation to keep you moving towards your goals," she adds.

Robert Half General Manager, Megan Alexander, agrees this is also key in the business environment. "Attitude over aptitude wins every time," says Alexander. "Skills can be taught, but having a positive outlook combined with the desire and motivation to do a great job is invaluable."

In 2008 Tamati was named Maori Sportswoman of the Year and in 2011 she was nominated for NEXT magazine's Woman of the Year. She was the first Australasian woman to be invited to compete in the Badwater race through the USA's Death Valley. It is one of the toughest ultramarathons in the world with a distance of 217km, 5,500m mountain climb and temperatures up to 57°C.

Based in New Plymouth, Lisa Tamati's next goal is to complete "The High" ultramarathon held in the Himalayas in early August. Only 20 runners per year are accepted to compete in the event which crosses two of the world's seven highest mountain passes. It's billed as the toughest race in the world - to date only one person has completed the race.

Follow her progress at: www.lisatamati.co.nz

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