Kay Bretz Turning Right

24/10/2024

Check out my conversation with Simon Ward on the High Performance Human Podcast: https://simonward.podbean.com/e/how-ultra-runner-kay-bretz-improved-his-pb-by-22-in-18-months/

Since I've moved to Australia, I've run close to 75,000 km. My key learning is that we tend to attribute far too much importance on effort in any pursuit of excellence. Obviously, effort, practice and hard work play a role to perform at a high level in sports and business. Yet, true high-performance is a question of our state of mind. To what extend can we relax into a challenge when the pressure wants to get us, be responsive to any curveballs and tap into a state of creative emergence beyond conditioned repetitive thinking?

I feel very blessed that my passion for tackling huge challenges is no longer just a hobby. In the last five years it has become an integral part of how I work with organisations and their leaders, helping them unlock the seemingly impossible.

14/10/2024

Nature meets Turning Right: At just 35 minutes from Melbourne CBD, Kim Wen and I will be bringing together an exciting format for anyone who shares our love for nature, exercise and step-changing our impact in the world. Please join us for a gentle 10km hike, relaxed conversations and a informal talk over lunch in Lysterfield Park on Sunday, 27th October 10am - 2pm. The topic will be: Thriving through our challenges - How we lift ourselves to another level.

Please register via the event page where you will also find more information: https://www.angelhike.com.au/angelhike. Note that no ultramarathon fitness is required and that the price of $22 to $27 includes a signed copy of my book. It would be an honour to see you at Lysterfield.

06/06/2022

569 laps later… What remains are amazing memories from the 24-hour Australian championships this weekend (plus a few sore spots). I’m so grateful for everyone involved making this huge event possible and such a great experience.

All those cancellations during the pandemic have tought me a mindset of not taking anything for granted. Finally, the time has come to sharpen my mindset immersed in action. So much more fun (even if it costs me a couple of toenails).

16/05/2022

Early long run with these legends. Thanks for the company Rebecca and Buchs. Great way to finish this training block and declare the official start of tapering.

01/05/2022

Happy Monday! Great way to start the week with a sand running session.

27/04/2022

What an inspirational ling weekend in Falls Creek! I had the honour to pace my friend Mario Buchs over the last 15 hours of his first 100-miler. The Alpine Challenge is certainly one of the toughest milers we have here in Australia. It takes a special mindset to tackle it, let alone finish in 10th place. Well done and thanks for letting me spin a huge trail running weekend around the actual event. The photos speak for themselves; we had heaps of fun.

21/02/2022

How exciting that "Turning Right - Inspire the Magic" has won its second book award! After SILVER last year, it's a GOLD award this time. A huge thank you to my support network, especially Major Street Publishing, without whom this wouldn't have happened.

Here the official review from the Nonfiction Authors Association Book Awards Program:
"Author Kay Bretz explains from the outset his reasons for writing Turning Right: to inspire people to move beyond merely existing–and instead live a life that lets them shine in a way that is personally fulfilling. He writes of having the courage to leave behind the reasonable, the logical, the expected, and unleashing the extraordinary. It’s an ambitious goal–yet Bretz doesn’t leave readers to figure it out on their own. He guides them through a thought process that starts from deep within and ultimately affects every corner of life. He shows the importance of having a mentor, sharing details of how his kept him moving forward, making deliberate moves towards the life he sought. He includes thoughtful self-check questions in each chapter, inspiring meditation and reflection that can be scribbled as journal entries and revisited, even rewritten, at various times in a person’s life as part of their personal growth journey and ‘right turns’. Bretz’s writing is relatable and easily palatable. Carefully selected quotes–some recognizable, some not, but all meaningful to his message–are sprinkled throughout. Every single page is a playbook for a triumphant, joyful, purposeful life. Turning Right is simply a gem!"

Nonfiction Book Award Status: GOLD Synopsis A compelling, un-put-downable account of the recreational marathon runner Kay Bretz’s transformation into one of the best ultra-marathon runners in the world. The reader follows the athlete during his physical and mental challenges and celebrates his har...

02/12/2021

While I'm recovering physically and mentally from the Coast to Kosci ultramarathon in horrendous conditions, I get asked a lot how any of us can overcome our biggest challenges. In my view it's helpful NOT to push away the discomfort we experience. Instead, we are asked to embrace and transform our negative emotions, which so often suggest that we should play small (or even give up) and are so seductive in their nature. I personally prefer mental gentleness to mental toughness and it got me a podium finish last weekend after running for 222km.

Find more on this topic in the newest episode of 'The Ultramarathon Mindset' podcast. You certainly don't have to be an athlete to enjoy the conversation. The theme is how we overcome the limitations our mindset might place on us.

You find it on ericdeeter.com/kay-bretz/

28/11/2021

It took many years to earn this Akubra!7 years ago I got excited by Coast to Kosci. First I had to become a better runner, then the race got cancelled before it resurrected again. Last year I withdrew 18km before the finish line and it took another attempt this year to cross the finish line after just over 27 hours.

I’m grateful for the tremendous effort of my support crew and getting me through pouring rain and freezing cold conditions.

More photos and race impressions to come (once I caught up with sleep and your lovely birthday messages).

22/11/2021

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!!!

After today’s 5-minute online citizenship ceremony, I’m no longer the only Aussie in this relationship. Welcome to Straya Rebecca!

Oi, oi, oi!