Imagine running almost 2,000 kilometres — mostly through gruelling desert terrain — all while your toenails keep falling off: 10 of them, to be precise.
For most, it sounds like a form of torture. Not so for ultramarathon runner Jacqui Bell, especially when you consider what she's already been through.
Jacqui has a big story to tell and the way she delivers it is both relatable and inspirational.
In 2016 she suffered a series of sport-related injuries, breaking both wrists, a finger and a toe. She fought back after each episode only to fall prey to painkiller addication while recovering from tonsil removal surgery. In an attempt to return to wellness, Jacqui took a job as a fitness instructor in Bali. On the second week of her new job, Jacqui was mugged while riding her scooter, suffering gruesome injuries that required a two-week hospital stay and roughly 200 stitches from her head to her feet. The pain, frustration, and depression she'd left home to resolve threatened to overtake her life. At the crossroads yet again, she looked for answers – and found them on the road.
In 2018 at the age of 23, Jacqui became The Youngest Female in The World to complete Racing Planets 4 Desert Grand Slam, which includes running 250 kilometre gruelling staged races through Chile's Atacama Desert, the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, the Namib Desert in Africa, and Antarctica.
Whilst completing this Jacqui also raised over $23,000 for The White Cloud Foundation Mental Health Charity.
Jacqui's next endeavour was to be The Youngest Person in history to run not only an Ultra Marathon but a Multi-Stage Ultra Marathon on all 7 continents.
Jacqui achieved that record in August 2019 with two final races in Iceland and the Grand Canyon and fortunately, this incredible achievement was captured by stunning drone and steady-cam vision which Jacqui incorporates into her empowering keynotes.
Jacqui loves sharing her experiences to inspire others to take on challenges they think aren't possible, and provides a personal window into her pathway to mental health, resilience, purpose and how to create a performance mindset.
Talking Points
The Power of Choice
- Strategy + PlanningThe Power of Choice
- In choice (having the choice)
- Personal responsibility
Overcoming Adversity
- How to overcome obstacles and push forwardOvercoming Adversity
- Assessing the new circumstances and pivoting in the plan - how to adapt
- Focusing your energy on the task at hand
Finding Your Purpose
- Defining your driving whyFinding Your Purpose
- Working with purpose
Shifting Your Perspective
- Shifting your view on a situation to be able to step back and see it for what it really isShifting Your Perspective
- Focus energy in the right direction
Performance Mindset/Mental Health
- Once you get this right, everything followsPerformance Mindset/Mental Health
- The power of choice
- Making the decision to make a change
Journey to all 7
Journey to all 7
Video
Jacqui Bell | Show Reel | Saxton Speakers Bureau
Imagine running almost 2,000 kilometres - mostly through gruelling desert terrain - all while your toenails keep falling off: 10 of them, to be precise.For most, it sounds like a form of torture. Not so for ultramarathon runner Jacqui Bell, especially when you consider what she's already been through.Jacqui has a big story to tell and the way she delivers it is both relatable and inspirational.How Jacqui Bell overcame her demons to make history
Meet the Brisbane woman who's the youngest person in the world to compete ultramarathons on every continent. Jacqui Bell is preparing for even more races in 2020, and taking her story of battling addictions and mental health to the stage.Jacqui spoke at our recent Inspiring Leaders Breakfast event for students, parents, community members and staff. She spoke confidently, she was engaging and entertaining, and she gave her t ... keep reading Ipswich Girls Grammar School
Jacqui was a fantastic addition to the match day function. She had guests enthralled and in awe of her determination and achievements. Her raw honesty and sense of humour added immeasurably to the occasion. She was also delightful company, mingling and mixing comfortably and engaging with guests after her appearance.
(Jacqui) was both delightfully entertaining and humbly inspiring. She has a powerful story to tell and does so with appropriate attention to detail, amusing anecdotes and honest reflection. We look forward to hearing more of Jacqui in the future and wholeheartedly recommend her as an honest and engaging guest speaker. Jacqui, on behalf of QORF / Outdoors Queensland - thank you for your enthusiasm for what you do, for sharing your story with us and for being part of our evening.
