Inspirational burns survivor Turia Pitt will always be one of The Weekly’s most revered Australians; she’s someone who courageously uses her horrific brush with death to motivate others to live their fullest, happiest lives.
And, as she exclusively opened up to The Weekly at our annual Women Of The Future Awards, this is an important life lesson – to use those challenging times to help propel yourself forward – she will pass on to her baby boy.
“I want my son to be resilient – I think that’s the most important thing,” she said.
Turia smiling for the photographers at this year’s Women Of The Future Awards.
Resilience is something Turia, 30, was forced to learn abruptly.
Many Australians will still remember where they were and what they were doing when news of Turia becoming trapped in a grassfire during an ultra-marathon in the Kimberleys in Western Australia broke.
It was this event that saw Turia suffer burns to 65 per cent of her body, lose several fingers and spend five agonising months recovering in hospital (not to mention the countless surgeries she has had over the years since it happened in 2011).
But now, six years on, Turia is using her positive spirit to look back on the event that changed her life irrevocably, using it to inspire and empower others.
“I’ve never celebrated the anniversary before now,” she told us of marking the September 2 date for this first time this year. “It was too tough but I thought this time it might help someone who was struggling.”
So, what’s life like for Turia now? Well, she and her husband, Michael Hoskin, are expecting a baby boy (and Turia’s got the beautiful baby bump to show it).
“I’m not worried about Michael at all as a dad,” she said, adding: “He’s got that paternal instinct; he’s going to be great.”
Turia at the Women Of The Future Awards.
As for motherhood, Turia’s enjoying living in the moment – something she practises, and preaches, every day in both her public and private life.
“I’m excited for the baby, but it still seems surreal,” she said of her little boy, who is due to be welcomed into the world this December. “Until I’m pushing the baby out, it won’t be real!”
For more Women Of The Future coverage, click here…
