Meet Kim van Kets: Adventurer, Role Model, Gladiator, Mom

Hey there! I want to introduce you to an incredible person named Kim van Kets. She’s not your average adventurer. She’s a role model, a gladiator, and a mom. Kim has accomplished some amazing things, and I’m excited to share her story with you.

Now, you might be wondering who this Kim van Kets is. Well, let me tell you. She’s someone who knows how to push boundaries and live life to the fullest. Kim has gone on incredible adventures that most of us can only dream of. She’s trekked through the Sahara Desert, rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, and climbed mountains all over the world. Her thirst for adventure is truly inspiring.

As a role model, Kim shows us that we can achieve anything we set our minds to. She believes in the power of determination and hard work. Through her adventures, she encourages us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace new challenges. Kim’s story reminds us that we are capable of more than we think.

But Kim’s journey hasn’t always been easy. She’s faced obstacles and setbacks along the way. However, she’s never let them stop her. Kim’s resilience and determination are what make her a true gladiator. She fights through the tough times and comes out stronger on the other side.

In addition to her adventurous spirit, Kim is also a mom. She knows the challenges of balancing motherhood with her passion for adventure. Kim’s experience as a mom adds another layer to her story and shows us that we can pursue our dreams while also being there for our families.

So, if you’re looking for someone to inspire you and show you what’s possible, look no further than Kim van Kets. Her story is a testament to the human spirit and the power of perseverance. She’s a true role model who embodies adventure, resilience, and motherhood. Learn from her, be inspired by her, and embrace your own adventure.

Hey there! Let me tell you about the incredible Kim van Kets. She’s a real superstar when it comes to endurance challenges. Back in 2011, she embarked on a truly epic adventure called Tri the Beloved Country. This involved her running, cycling, and kayaking an astonishing 6,672 kilometers along the perimeter of South Africa. Can you believe it?

But that’s not all! Kim is still going strong. She recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of Wild Women, an amazing event where she takes on a multi-day trail running adventure on the Wild Coast. It sounds like an absolute blast!

I had the chance to interview Kim and learn more about her incredible journey. And let me tell you, she has no plans to slow down. She’s running at full speed, tackling one challenge after another.

Speaking of challenges, I must say it takes a special kind of person to push themselves to such incredible limits. Not everyone has the determination and strength to do what Kim does. She’s truly an inspiration.

So, what’s next for Kim van Kets? Well, I can’t wait to find out. Whatever it is, I know it’s going to be extraordinary. Keep on running, Kim!

Interview by Lauren Dold

Photography: Jacques Marias, Peter van Kets, gallo/getty images

Wow, I can hardly believe it, but I’m almost 50 years old! It’s truly mind-boggling how time flies. Yet, strangely enough, I feel like life is still taking me on an exciting journey. The older I get, the more I realize that endurance is something that keeps improving – well, maybe not when I’m 80, but definitely for now.

I work as a lawyer, although that doesn’t define who I am in any significant way. In all honesty, I don’t think I’m particularly great at it. No, my true passion lies in the art of words, in weaving captivating stories, in exploring new frontiers. Essentially, I’m just an everyday individual who’s been fortunate enough to have the time and means to pursue experiences that may not be accessible to everyone else.

I’ve been running since I was 17 years old. At that time, all I knew was road running, and I absolutely loved it. I was always pushing myself to run farther and longer. You see, I have two older brothers, and I spent a big chunk of my life trying to prove to them that I could keep up. Back then, safety wasn’t a big concern for the races I participated in. It was more like, “Hey everyone, head towards East London with the ocean on your left, and we’ll see you at the finish line in seven days!” After that experience, I never ran another road race. Trail running felt like a game to me. It was less about the actual running and more about using running as a means to explore extraordinary places that I wouldn’t have been able to reach otherwise.

I’m not the greatest runner, but I’m built tough. I don’t give up easily. Most people my age who start running ultra marathons would probably end up injured, but not me. I guess I have sturdy German genes running through my veins. My ancestors must have been hardworking farmers, toiling away in the fields all day. Maybe they weren’t the brightest, but they sure knew how to persevere.

My husband, Peter, is quite the adventurer now, but he wasn’t always like that. Before he went a bit off the deep end, he was a teacher. So, compared to my family, my adventures don’t seem that crazy after all.

When I had my daughter, who is now 16 years old, I used to think that I would lead by example rather than just talking about my values. And in some way, I believed that she saw me as this strong, capable, and independent person – an athlete and a tough lawyer. One day, when she was about four years old, we were lying on the trampoline, and I asked her a question: “Hannah, what does daddy do?” Surprisingly, she replied, “Daddy’s an adventurer!” Then I asked her, “What does mommy do?” and she answered, “Oh, I feel sorry for you, you’re a servant.” It was at that moment that I realized I was saying one thing but showing her something entirely different. I had been in a supporting role ever since she was born, but deep down, that wasn’t who I truly wanted to be. I wanted to be the Gladiator, not just the Gladiator’s girlfriend.

Maybe it sounds a bit selfish of me to go out and do all these things, but I wanted to show my daughter that moms can be heroes too. It’s not just something for men and dads. At first, I had planned to run the whole way for Tri the Beloved Country. But when I did the math, I realized it would take too long. That’s when the idea of a triathlon came to me. So many things could have gone wrong, but that experience turned out to be one of the best in my life. Seeing South Africa in that way, with all the amazing places and people, was truly extraordinary.

I have a favorite section of the trail, and it’s the Wild Coast. I am so familiar with it that I could navigate it blindfolded. I have explored every inch of that magnificent coastline. I was gushing about its breathtaking beauty to my friend Lucille van der Merwe, and that conversation became the catalyst for the birth of Wild Women. Our organization is now celebrating a decade of empowering and exhilarating multi-day trail runs. From the beginning, we were determined to support and uplift other women, and we committed to this cause for the long haul. Throughout the years, we have managed to raise a staggering R1 million in funds for two incredible causes in the Eastern Cape: the African Angels independent school and the Busfare Babies birth centre. And this year, with the generous assistance of our sponsors, we aim to double that achievement through our #Match1Million initiative.

Now, I’d like to share with you six invaluable mental strategies that have helped me along this journey:

1. I make a Note to Self: This hard thing that I am doing is a choice and a privilege – I chose these miles of inevitable pain (while sound of mind) so suck it up and focus on the JOY.

2. My ‘in-flight entertainment’ is critical!
I choose or make up a selection of rousing speeches, poems, songs (from Pink Floyd to ‘When you’re happy and you know it clap your hands!’) which I learn in preparation for long runs.

3. I break down the time or distance into manageable chunks and reward myself with peanut butter sandwiches, socks, great thoughts and phone calls.

1. First, I give myself a reminder: what I’m doing right now is a choice and a privilege – I willingly chose to endure these tough miles (while I’m capable) so let’s embrace the pain and focus on the joy.

2. The entertainment during my run is crucial! I carefully select or create a collection of inspiring speeches, poems, and songs (anything from Pink Floyd to ‘When you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!’). I practice and learn them in preparation for my long runs.

3. I divide the time or distance into smaller, manageable parts and reward myself along the way with simple pleasures like peanut butter sandwiches, brand new socks, profound thoughts, and uplifting phone conversations.

4. So, here’s the thing – I’ve got a couple of tricks up my sleeve when it comes to boosting my mood. One of them is practicing a sense of the ridiculous. I mean, picture this – me, smiling like a maniac for no apparent reason. It might sound silly, but it actually works! I guess it tricks my body into thinking I’m having a blast. And you know what? It always manages to make me laugh at myself, which is pretty darn helpful, if you ask me.

5. Okay, don’t judge me on this one, but I’ve got a little secret. Whenever I need an extra push to keep going, I play war games with myself. I pretend I’m caught in the middle of some intense battle, running away from this crazy, hostile army. And get this – they’re after my beloved child! Talk about motivation, right? Trust me, it really does the trick.

6. Here’s a tidbit of wisdom for you – managing expectations. It’s something I’ve learned the hard way. See, in everyday life, having a positive outlook is great. But when it comes to grueling endurance events, optimism can be a double-edged sword. So, I’ve learned to expect some serious suffering. And you know what? It’s made all the difference. By not fooling myself into thinking it’ll be a walk in the park, I’m better prepared to face whatever comes my way.