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Conquer The ‘Impossible’

Empowering people to push beyond the parameters of their comfort zone.

I’m an ultra-distance trail runner meets trailblazer who lives, breathes, dreams, and conquers the ‘impossible’ – paving the way on roads less traveled and trails unmarked.

Mission Impossible

My motto is simple:
Just because it hasn’t been done, doesn’t mean it can’t be done. And I’m here to not only show the world but also inspire the world that with the dare to dream, courage to start, heart to keep climbing (and the punch of good sports nutrition); anything and everything is possible.

Hey There - I’m Tanya!

On the trails, I’m an established and respected ultra-distance runner with a passion as big as the challenges I face head (and heels) on. Off the trails, I’m a 40-something mum and self-professed scaredy cat on a mission to show people that you can fear the ‘never seen before’ – and you can conquer it, too.

Not ‘just another’ runner, I’m also known as an…

ATHLETE

A natural-born athlete, I was not. In fact, 17 years ago I was a heavy smoker and stuck in a toxic, abusive relationship. Running not only changed my life, it saved my life. It gave me the boost of confidence I needed to remove myself from the 10 years of pain. These days, after many years of training and falling and getting back up again, I consider myself an ultra-runner, choosing to test my strength and stamina in the mountains – the bigger the better. I’m proud to say I hold a bunch of records and am even the first woman (and person) to complete a couple of challenges never done before, always testing the idea of what’s possible through my physical feats.

STORYTELLER

Inspiring people through the adventures I share is the cornerstone of my ‘why’. Through blogs, short films, public speaking, and my social media feed with a growing 11+K following, I aim to add value to real people in the real world. Driven to empower, uplift, talk about the tough stuff, and celebrate the ups and downs of life; my stories aren’t just about pro-running, instead, they’re vulnerable, authentic, and relatable anecdotes that speak to the real nitty-gritty of everyday life.

COACH

Empowering people to unapologetically be authentic, shoot for the stars, trip and fall and get back up again is what lights my fire. No matter where you are on your journey – both on and off the trails – my purpose is to provide the mindset tools, guidance, and a strong dose of inspiration to help you set the big goals and have the bravery to tick them off your to-crush-it list.

Hey There - I’m Tanya!

On the trails, I’m an established and respected ultra-distance runner with a passion as big as the challenges I face head (and heels) on. Off the trails, I’m a 40-something mum and self-professed scaredy cat on a mission to show people that you can fear the ‘never seen before’ – and you can conquer it, too.

Not ‘just another’ runner, I’m also known as an…

ATHLETE

A natural-born athlete, I was not. In fact, 17 years ago I was a heavy smoker and stuck in a toxic, abusive relationship. Running not only changed my life, it saved my life. It gave me the boost of confidence I needed to remove myself from the 10 years of pain. These days, after many years of training and falling and getting back up again, I consider myself an ultra-runner, choosing to test my strength and stamina in the mountains – the bigger the better. I’m proud to say I hold a bunch of records and am even the first woman (and person) to complete a couple of challenges never done before, always testing the idea of what’s possible through my physical feats.

STORYTELLER

Inspiring people through the adventures I share is the cornerstone of my ‘why’. Through blogs, short films, public speaking, and my social media feed with a growing 11+K following, I aim to add value to real people in the real world. Driven to empower, uplift, talk about the tough stuff, and celebrate the ups and downs of life; my stories aren’t just about pro-running, instead, they’re vulnerable, authentic, and relatable anecdotes that speak to the real nitty-gritty of everyday life.

COACH

Empowering people to unapologetically be authentic, shoot for the stars, trip and fall and get back up again is what lights my fire. No matter where you are on your journey – both on and off the trails – my purpose is to provide the mindset tools, guidance, and a strong dose of inspiration to help you set the big goals and have the bravery to tick them off your to-crush-it list.

The latest Challenge Accepted:

The Wanaka Skyline Circumnavigation

Treacherous? Yes. Impossible? No.

One of my biggest (and most nerve-wracking) challenges to date. Join me as I physically, mentally, and emotionally muster up the strength, will, and tenacity for The Wanaka Skyline Circumnavigation. A 160-miler featuring 20,000m+ vertical ascent where a large portion of the journey is off track, on knife-edge ridges, and in alpine terrain.

Sure, there have been two attempts in the past: Mine and another guy who only got 24 hours in last summer. There is no manual. No bar to measure against. No limit between myself and the never-completed-before.

Want to see how I prepped, endured, and learned from the first attempt (also known as my first failure at a physical challenge), and how it has made the journey of preparing for the next attempt that much more meaningful? Check out this short film by the wonderful, professional videographer, Eiko Jones.

challenges & Records Held

First woman

to complete the Southern Seasons Miler Challenge (Unsupported/No Pacers)

First person

to cross the South Island of New Zealand following the 45th Parallel

First Attempt

to Circumnavigate Lake Wanaka.

Current records holder

for Most ascents of Roys Peak in 24hrs

Southern Seasons Miler Challenge: 4 100 Mile races

The Southern Seasons Miler Challenge is a challenge to complete the four great southern 100 mile trail races in a 12 month period.

My journey for the challenge began in May 2019 when I set out to be the first women to complete the challenge.

I completed 3 of the four races and arrived in Wanaka for the final race in March 2020 only to have the race cancelled by COVID-19.

It was a blow to have the challenge incomplete due to circumstances outside my control – however I finished the challenge in March 2021 with the brutal Northburn 100.

It was a crazy journey of physical and mental discovery that you can read about over in my blogs. Throughout this journey I am most proud of the work that was done to advocate for domestic violence awareness.

Peak of Possibility: 24 hr Roys Peak Summit Challenge

2020 was a mad-crazy year, we all went through a lot – collectively and individually. To cap it off and see it out I thought I’d take on my own challenge as both a tribute to what has been and as an affirmation of hope.

I called it Peak of Possibility because it was a tribute to what is possible.

In taking on the challenge I was once again raising money for Shine and talking about recovery from trauma.

Each Lap: 15.5Km and 1250m Vert
Dec 12-13 2020
Roy’s Peak, Wanaka

I completed 8 full laps of Roys Peak covering around 120km and over 10,000m of vertical ascent in what was an amazing day out.

45th Parallel Traverse

An exciting first attempt to traverse the South Island from coast to coast, following the circle of latitude that is 45° south of the Earth’s equator. From the rugged, untouched west…to the penguin colonies of the east…and everything in between.

I hiked, climbed, paddled, and cycled, this human-powered epic journey of over 600km – all the while being filmed for an adventure empowerment film aimed at inspiring women around the world to dream big.

This extraordinary adventure saw me take the road less travelled and blaze a trail of my own making – with a map, compass, and a dream.

My first film ‘Peak of Possibility’ has inspired and changed lives around the world, and this second film aims to build on that.

 

Plus, my coaching qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree:

Psychology

Master Coach:

Nuero-linguistic Programming

Master Coach:

Time-line Therapy

Master

Hypnotherapy

Join My Journey:

The Possibility Project

As I start filling my soft flasks, pulling up my socks, mapping out the terrain, and physically (and mentally) preparing for my greatest challenge yet, I invite you to take on your own Possibility Project.

Find the thing that feels too big, too far, too much, or too hard – AND DO IT!

Or at least, find the gumption to try. I’m not talking about the ‘rise and grind’,

constantly pushing all in the name of ‘‘doing better’ and ‘doing more.’

It’s about sparking the curiosity of “I wonder what would happen if I tried…”.

It’s about joy and adventure and taking the unchartered dirt track with a pleasant surprise waiting for you at the end.

So, are you with me?

Run Your World:

Where Everyday Heroes Are Born

Because I was once right where you are, before my love for running in the great outdoors really came alive, I’m here to encourage normal, everyday people to stretch their edges. Test their limits. Find out what they’re really made of beyond their jobs, chores, kids, pets, bills and ‘what’s for dinner.’

Forget the big-league, I’m here for the brave-hearted. Which means you don’t have to be a pro to start running. You don’t have to be fit or pumped-up or even an early bird with enough zest to hit the road. You can be busy and out of breath and quite frankly a little nervous – and you can still try (and kick ass) at the same time.

Sponsors

Keen to be part of my miles movement and sponsor the journey to achieving the ‘impossible’? I would love to hear from you!

Sponsors

Keen to be part of my miles movement and sponsor the journey to achieving the ‘impossible’? I would love to hear from you!

as seen in

Blogs & Articles

How’s your Being going?!

How are you at Being? Sometimes I’m great…sometimes I suck. That’s the nature of growth though right?! So – Being. Sounds simple and it is. BUT. When we are so focused on the other two components – doing and having, sometimes this vital component falls by the wayside....

Taking ‘Life Aligned’ Action

Are the things you are doing, or want to do aligned with your life right now? So you want to run 100 miles, and you’ve just started a new job, you have a new baby, and your parents are sick, and you are looking after them. I know you’re bloody fantastic, and you could...

How to have what you want in life!

What if you could be the person you want to be? Take the action you want to take? Have the things you want to have? Over the coming weeks, I’m going to break down these concepts because they are at the very heart of what I do. I strongly believe in this concept and...