Before the fire, Turia Pitt was a fit, healthy, and successful mining engineer and athlete. She was living her dream life working in Western Australia and was known for her athletic abilities and positive attitude. In 2011, while competing in a 100km ultramarathon in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, she was caught in a grassfire. She suffered severe burns to 65% of her body, lost all the fingers on her right hand and two on her left, spent a month in a medically-induced coma, underwent more than 200 surgeries, and was in hospital and recovery for years. After the fire, she endured a long and difficult rehabilitation but has since become an inspirational figure, motivational speaker, author, and athlete competing in events like the Ironman Australia and Ironman World Championship. She has also raised significant funds for medical and philanthropic causes.
Summary of before and after:
Aspect| Before| After
---|---|---
Career| Mining engineer, athlete| Author, motivational speaker, athlete
Health| Fit and healthy| Severe burns to 65% of body, multiple surgeries
Physical condition| No injuries| Lost fingers, wears compression suit and mask
for years
Achievements| Competed in ultramarathon| Competed in Ironman events, raised
funds for charity
Public recognition| Unknown| Inspirational figure with worldwide attention
This contrast shows her incredible journey from a thriving athlete and professional to a survivor of a catastrophic injury, and her triumphant rise as a motivational figure.
