Comrades runner wants to help others reach their potential

Tsepo Tsotetsi launched his first book, Doubt Your Doubts About Your Potential, at the Birchwood Hotel on Friday night.

He drew inspiration for his book from the experience of completing his first Comrades Marathon.

Feeling tired and worn out from his daily life, Tsotetsi tried running to get back into shape.

“God allows for us to experience certain circumstances in order to reveal a deeper meaning of things,” he says.

The father of two admits he knew he was on the brink of making major changes in his life.

After only a few months of training with Team C16, he signed up for the Comrades Marathon in June.

He finished the marathon in 11 hours and 3 minutes.

Coach Benzi Tenza attributes Tsotetsi’s success to his willingness to learn.

“He is a pastor and a father, so he is used to leading people.

“But he listened to me. When I told him to train a certain way, he did exactly that.”

Benzi says most people run a minimum of 800km before they sign up for the ultra-marathon.

“This man has no idea what he has done with this book.

“He is exposing the power of human potential,” says Tenza.

In the book, Tsotetsi recounts conversations he had with various people during his preparation and on race day. He writes about how those conversations taught and reminded him of important life lessons.

He says from the time he made the decision, he knew that finishing the race would give him the courage to quit his job and start his own business.

Nathaniel Mabetwa, from Runners of Hope, says the key is to challenge conventional wisdom.

“Dare to be insane, routinely pressing the ‘reset’ button.”

He believes people are hindered by what they remember they could not finish before, so they stop trying.

Tsotetsi says although he has many writings in the pipeline, this one had a sense of urgency.

“Running gives you time to be with yourself and talk to yourself.”

Tsotetsi says he has overcome the fear of being judged and now allows himself to be vulnerable.

“I hope that someone will find some sense in the book and get answers for their lives.

“We need to speak about both our challenges and our triumphs,” he says.