Nedd Brockmann inspires us all to step out of our comfort zones and challenge ourselves for a greater purpose.

Nedd Brockmann captured the hearts of Australians. Two years ago, he decided to run across Australia from Bondi to Perth. While many thought that running 3,944 kilometers across Australia was an impossible challenge, Nedd achieved it! The electrician turned ultra-marathon runner then decided to step it up a notch and create the ‘Nedd Brockmann Uncomfortable Challenge’. On October 3rd this year, he took on a grueling 1000-mile (1609 kilometer) run around the Sydney Olympic Park track.

To set a new world record, the real goal was to raise 10 million dollars for the homelessness charity – We Are Mobilise. Nedd’s uncomfortable challenge was a campaign to raise money and shine a light on a societal problem but also a campaign to demonstrate the ability to push beyond your boundaries and embrace being uncomfortable to make a difference.

Nedd endured blisters on blisters, bleeding, insane sleep deprivation, out-of-this-world cramping, swelling of his knees, torn muscles in his calves, and many more. From day three he had no function of his right fibula and tendonitis everywhere. His feet tripled in size and his mantra was: if I keep showing up, then extreme growth is coming.

Nedd’s campaign continues. From October 20th he is inviting fellow Aussies to join him in getting out of their comfort zones and creating their uncomfortable challenge. While some people choose fitness challenges or 100 push-ups a day, many others choose different challenges to get outside their comfort zone. These include public speaking at events, setting goals at work to push their boundaries, sleeping on the floor, or volunteering in tough environments.

Whether you’re Nedd, an athlete, coach, employee, executive or anything in between there is a very valuable lesson here. The growth that comes from pushing yourself outside your comfort zone can be extraordinary. Whether in your personal life or career, it can be liberating and empowering. It gives you a chance to learn new skills, be more productive, and can also increase your confidence. Nedd, is encouraging people to ‘give things a crack’ as he says. By doing so, he is helping people find what they are capable of, by identifying their unique strengths and talents (physical or mental).

Nedd’s spectacular example shows us that moving beyond your comfort zone will see you achieve so much more, and that is where the real growth happens.

“Nothing great is achieved without reaching for something that feels beyond your limits. The courage is in setting yourself a goal, getting out of your comfort zone… and pursuing it with everything you’ve got.” – Nedd Brockmann

Mikahla Smith
Executive Consultant – Group Solutions

Mikahla began her career working for a small business consulting firm before joining Optimum Consulting in 2010 as a Consultant. She has since gained over 10 years’ experience in the industry and over this time has held a number of leadership roles (both onshore and offshore) and is currently an Executive Consultant – Group Solutions.