EXCLUSIVE: Pregnant Turia Pitt on what makes her a better mum and her campaign helping bushfire affected communities
The soon-to-be mum-of-two is also the new Bonds Baby Search 2020 ambassador.
Motivational speaker, athlete and soon-to-be mum-of two has been inspiring people for years.
In 2011 while competing in a marathon, Turia was caught in a bushfire which left her with burns to 65% of her body.
Miraculously, Turia survived and not only has undergone a massive recovery process which involved learning to walk again, she’s also written books and is now using her social platform to help those directly affected by the bushfire crisis.
The 32-year-old along with her friend launched the Spend With Them initiative to support local businesses and help rebuild towns affected by fires. The campaign has been huge and continues to grow.
“Australians are showing their support by spending with the businesses we profile on the page,” says Turia.
“It has been a couple of weeks since we launched and we are still getting really great feedback on the businesses that we’re featuring. They are all very, very grateful. We will keep profiling for businesses as long as we can.”
The bushfires came close to the marathon runner’s family home in Uladulla and she was inspired to do whatever she could to help.
“A lot of friends I know have lost their houses and their properties have been damaged and their businesses have been affected. In terms of what I’ve been through, I’m fine. All of my close friends are fine. It is part of the reason I wanted to launch Spend With Them is because we saw how much our community is suffering.”
With the sadness and heartbreak of the bushfire crisis, Turia says there has been light in the darkness.
“It has been really beautiful to see how in times of crisis people just step up. The true testament is that people from all around Australia and all around the world are buying from these businesses to support them.”
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Turia and her fiancé, Michael Hoskin are parents of two-year-old, Hakavai and their second little one is due within weeks. Turia says she’s not worried about juggling a newborn with toddler nor the lack of sleep that comes along with it.
“At the end of the day, some kids are really easy and some kids are not as easy. Some kids sleep and some don’t sleep as well. I’m trying not to worry too much about what it will be like and I’m confident that Michael and I will no doubt and navigate our way through it.
“Sleep is a basic human necessity and when you are sleep deprived you feel like you are unable to function. I’m lucky to have my mum five minutes away and Michael’s family ten minutes away and a really supportive partner and all of those things definitely make a difference.”
Turia has been announced as an ambassador for the Bonds Baby Search 2020. (Image: Supplied)
Despite the impending lack of sleep, Turia believes motherhood has brought out the best in her.
“I think motherhood has softened me, made me more compassionate, more caring and selfless. They are all really beautiful qualities. If anything, it has enhanced me.”
“Even when I had Hakavai I tried to find time to go for a run, or go for a surf or have a little ‘me’ time every day. Sometimes, of course, that wasn’t possible. Some days the house looked like a mad zone and dinner wasn’t cooked but I think if you prioritise having that little time to yourself it makes you a better mum.”
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“Motherhood has softened me, made me more compassionate, more caring and selfless.”
Before she welcomes her second child, Turia is spending some time celebrating her bump and part of these celebrations include being announced as an ambassador for the Bonds Baby Search 2020.
“I was really excited to be asked to be a part of it as Bonds is such an iconic Australian brand,” she explains.
“They’ve got a new category this year called, Wonders On The Way which is perfect because it’s for mums-to-be and their beautiful bumps.
“I like how the Bonds Baby Search has become quite inclusive and celebrates diversity. They’ve got the pet category too, so if you’ve got a fur baby, not necessarily a human baby, you can still enter.”
For more information on the Bonds 2020 Baby Search, click here.