'Having been burnt before I was really terrified': Turia Pitt reveals how she coped with Australia's out of control bushfires and the difficult memories they triggered
Australia's horrific 2019 bushfire season left significant portions of the country devastated and gutted by flames.
But for Turia Pitt, the experience was personal, as it triggered memories of the injuries she sustained in fire in 2011.
Speaking to Body and Soul magazine this week, the 33-year-old said she had to find ways to cope.
Feelings: Australia's horrific 2019 bushfire season left significant portions of the country gutted by flames. But for Turia Pitt the experience was personal, as it triggered memories of the injuries she sustained in fire in 2011, she told Body and Soul this week
'Having been burnt before I was really terrified, but what I like to do when I start spending too much time in my own head is to ask what I can do to be of service,' she said.
Turia added: 'Giving back and helping others is a really effective way to boost your own happiness.
'It makes you realise all of the things you should be grateful for and it just makes you feel good.'
Honest: 'Having been burnt before I was really terrified, but what I like to do when I start spending too much time in my own head is to ask what I can do to be of service,' she said
She added that she has hard days: 'I try not to beat myself up. Life is full of ups and downs. We have hard times, but the reverse is also true, and I think part of being happy is accepting that you're not going to be happy all the time,' she said
Past: Turia suffered horrific burns to 64 per cent of her body when she got caught in a wildfire in Western Australia in 2011, during an ultramarathon
She added that she has hard days, too, but has found a way to see the bright side.
'I try not to beat myself up. Life is full of ups and downs. We have hard times, but the reverse is also true, and I think part of being happy is accepting that you're not going to be happy all the time,' she said.
Turia suffered horrific burns to 64 per cent of her body when she got caught in a wildfire in Western Australia in 2011, during an ultramarathon.
Growing family: The former athlete welcomed her first son, Hakavai, with long-term partner Michael in December 2017. All pictured
New life: The couple welcomed their second child, baby boy Rahiti in February
She welcomed her first son, Hakavai, with long-term partner Michael Hoskin in December 2017.
The couple welcomed their second child, baby boy Rahiti, in February this year.
The pair got engaged in 2015, with Michael previously revealing he bought the diamond ring when Turia was in intensive care in 2011.
Sweet: The pair got engaged in 2015, with Michael previously revealing he bought the diamond ring when Turia was in intensive care in 2011