The Full Story
Lara's Journey
142+ Marathons. 20x Comrades (90km). 40 years. One unshakeable identity.
MY JOURNEY TO 142+ MARATHONS
"There are not many people who have done 100 of anything..."
Lara shares in intricate detail—drawn from her meticulously
maintained "True Excerpts Journal to (142+) Marathons"—the profound life lessons gleaned from 40 years of distance running.
Every race she has ever run has been recorded in journals and spreadsheets, creating an extraordinary archive of endurance, persistence, and personal breakthrough.
This makes Lara a very different kind of speaker. With running's explosion in popularity across South Africa, her message resonates deeply.
What makes Lara's approach unique is that she doesn't glorify suffering—she examines it. She asks: who am I when I'm utterly exhausted? What identity do I return to when everything else is stripped away?
5. follow Lara's Journey
Follow me on social media for raw insights, hard won lessons, and the real stories behind my 142 (...and still counting) marathon finishes
Elite Endurance Athlete
Lara has tested extreme performance under conditions of profound fatigue across 40 years. 142+ marathons. 20x Comrades (90km). 160km ultramarathon. Iron Man Triathlete. Duzi and Fish River Canoe Racer. These aren't achievements done once. This is a lifetime of pushing into zones where performance psychology becomes survival.
Professional Speaker & Thought Leader
Lara doesn't just live these principles — she teaches them. Her signature presentation "Why NOT to Emigrate" was selected for the Pecha Kucha Cape Town event on November 6, 2018, and again at the TotalSports Two Oceans Marathon Breakfast Powered by BYD on 26 March 2026 at the Cape Sun Southern Sun Hotel in Cape Town. She has emigrated to Canada, earned citizenship, and made the decisive choice to return to South Africa — giving her unique authority to speak on identity, choice, and what matters most.
Body Transformation Pioneer
At age 57, Lara is proof that peak physical condition is not a young person's game. She has been a personal trainer with an acute understanding of the interplay between nutrition, identity, and physical performance. She doesn't believe in 'getting your body back.' She believes in getting your body fierce.
Honored by Nelson Mandela
Lara has met with the late Former State President Nelson Mandela and received an award from him for her tireless fundraising efforts for the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund. This recognition speaks to her character and commitment to using her platform to serve others.
"Pocket Rocket Dynamo"
On July 18, 2018, Lara appeared on Smile FM for a 15-minute radio interview that perfectly captures who she is. In those few minutes, you'll hear her energy, humor, depth, and the magnetic charisma that makes her such an effective speaker.
It's not just a nickname. It's an accurate description.
LEARN FROM LARA'S PROVEN FRAMEWORK
The Kilometer 70 Method is her gift to you. Use it to build identity stability and decision clarity under extreme pressure.
START THE BLUEPRINT