Turia Pitt recalls dark time after ultra-marathon fire ordeal: 'I don't want to be here'
By April Glover|
Australian burns survivor and motivational speaker Turia Pitt isn't afraid to admit she hasn't always been so "strong".
The 34-year-old, who was left with burns to 65 per cent of her body following a terrifying grassfire in 2011, is often lauded for being courageous in the face of enormous suffering.
But Pitt says she had some very dark days in the early stages of her burns recovery which made her want to die.
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Speaking on The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show on LiSTNR, the mother-of-two said she had a frank conversation with her father about suicide.
"I did want to die, in the earlier stages when I was in hospital," Pitt explained. "This is gonna sound really bizarre, but I said to my dad - and I knew he would understand where I was coming from - I want to kill myself. I don't want to be here."
"And my dad, who is super logical, he said, 'Okay, well the doctors said in five years time you should be back on your feet. So give yourself five years. And if in five years you want to kill yourself, do it then."
Pitt said that having a firm "deadline" to work towards helped her persevere in her recovery.
When Rowe asked Pitt if her mindset is what "saved" her while she was lying in a hospital bed, the former ultramarathon runner rejected this sentiment.
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"No, I don't think that is what saved me. I think [it was] the doctors and nurses," she continued.
"I think that's a disservice to the doctors and nurses. I get told a lot that it was the 'power of your strength or the power of your mind is why you didn't die', and that's not really true."
She adds: "I had really awesome medical care. My doctors flew in skin from America to save my life. I survived the fire because of them."
Pitt explained she certainly didn't reach her goals and milestones alone. She credited her husband Michael Hoskin for staying by her side for 12 hours every day as she recovered in hospital.
"I've got really lucky that I had this beautiful man Michael, my rock, who supported me and who was in my corner," she said.
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"He was in the hospital with me from 7am until 7pm. He was consistent, he was committed and he was solid. I had his love and I had hope for our future."
Elsewhere in the podcast interview, Pitt gave a hilarious insight into her marriage with Hoskin.
After revealing she feels her "sexiest" after a big workout, she told Rowe: "I'll say to my husband when I get home 'touch my ass'."
Pitt and Hoskin married in 2016 and have two children, Hakavai and Rahiti.
If you or someone you know is in need of support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Men's Helpline on 1300 78 99 78 or in case of an emergency dial Triple Zero (000).
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