Athlete Turia Pitt makes brave confession struggles with surgery

Burns survivor and inspirational speaker Turia Pitt pictured in Manly ahead of her fundraiser in Sydney later in the week. Picture: Braden Fastier


Vanessa Brown, news.com.au

She was once told she would never run again.

After receiving burns to 65 per cent of her body during an Ultra-marathon event in the Kimberley region of West Australia in 2011, Turia Pitt has proven many people wrong.

Now, the 28-year-old has inspired thousands once again — with a brave confession about her self-consciousness which stemmed from a recent facial laser surgery.

“I’ve been recovering from laser surgery for the past week,” Pitt said in her Instagram post, which is followed by more than 79,000 people.

“Sometimes I get really self-conscious after surgery — I feel like everyone is having a huge stickybeak at me.”

Ms Pitt, who lives in Mollymook on the NSW south coast, posted the honest selfie and confession after having a treatment which caused scabbing and blistering to her skin.

“This week I felt it big time, and yeah, it sucks. But you know what? Sometimes in life when you’re on a quest to improve yourself, no one else’s opinion or judgment matters,” she wrote.

“You’ve gotta own yourself and wear your challenges like a boss — after all, no one else is gonna do it for you!”

Ms Pitt was met with more than 9000 likes and 600 comments of praise following her heartfelt post.
“You’re such an inspiration! Don’t let these low lives affect your self-esteem! You deserve better than that,” one user wrote.

“You have the most expressive eyes I’ve ever seen in anyone. You’re absolutely beautiful,” another added.
“You are gorgeous and anyone who thinks otherwise isn’t worth your time! Don’t give them power over the thoughts you have!”

Burns victim Turia Pitt pictured at Mollymook Beach with fiance Michael Hoskin.

 

Since her brush with death in 2011, Ms Pitt has become a national icon and an inspiration to millions of people across the country and the world.

Just last month, Ms Pitt entered the Port Macquarie Ironman 2016 event, where she was required to endure a 180km cycle, a 42km run and a 3.8km swim. She completed the challenge in 13 hours and 24 minutes.

Turia Pitt getting ready to compete in her first ironman in four years, which was at the Port Macquarie 2016 event.

 

Having one of the most optimistic attitudes you’ll ever come across, Turia now works as a motivational speaker, and an ambassador for Interplast — which provides money and support for children with burns in developing countries.

In 2014, she was awarded the NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year award, and just last year — her partner Michael Hoskin proposed to her. During an interview with the Australian Women’s Weekly at the time, Mr Hoskin admitted to buying the diamond engagement ring when she was in care in 2011.

“When Turia was in intensive care four years ago, I bought a diamond ring,” he said.
“She’s beautiful, you know, she’s amazing.”

Originally published as Turia Pitt makes brave confession