Terria Pits sprang from the starting line and Australia's new South Wales.

On one side of her, the Teal Blue Pacific Ocean laughed at golden beaches.

On the other, palm tree swayed in the breeze.

Terria was competing in an Iron Man race, which meant she had already swam 3.86 kilometers

and ridden her bike 180 kilometers.

Now she had to run 42 kilometers.

It was an incredible feat for anyone to attempt, but especially for Terria.

Since just a few years before, she was told she might never walk again.

I'm Brooklyn Cory, and this is Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls,

a fairy tale podcast about the real life rebel women who inspire us.

On this episode, Terria Pits, a mining engineer,

ultra marathon runner, model and motivational speaker,

who defied all odds to cross one finish line after another.

Terria grew up in the stunningly beautiful coastal town of Aladela, Australia,

which Terria calls the sickest surf spot on the whole coast.

When she was little, she loved surfing with her father,

balancing on one of his homemade surfboards in awe of the rowering ocean.

At night, exhausted after a long day of riding waves,

she fell asleep to the clickety-clack of her mother writing stories on her typewriter.

Those stories were filled with mana,

a Polynesian word Terria's mom often used that meant love and forgiveness,

energy and courage all in one.

...