Today I Learned

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 gra