Pushing the Limits: Life, Marathons & Kokoda

by Kurt Fearnley

When Kurt Fearnley was a kid, he would leave his wheelechair at the front gate and go exploring with his brothers and sisters. 'You're going to have to be stronger than we are,' they told him, 'and we know you will be.' The boy from Carcoar was raised to believe he could do anything. At fifteen, he won his first medal. Then he conquered the world, winning three Paralympic gold medals, seven world championships and more than 35 marathons. A world-beater in and out of his wheelchair, Kurt is a true Australian champion. Inspiring, exhilarating and highly entertaining, Pushing the Limits takes us inside the mind of a kid with a disability growing up in a tiny town, a teenager finding his place in the world, and an elite sportsman who refuses to give up, no matter how extreme the challenge.  'Kurt Fearnley is the most inspiring figure in Australian sport, and this is a wondrous tale.' Peter FitzSimons 'There are only possibilities in Kurt's world. If you say he can't, he will.' Steve Waugh 'I love this bloke. Not only is he, in my opinion, Australia's greatest athlete, but he has such an enormous heart and zest for life. What Kurt does for the general community, and particularly for athletes with disabilities, is truly inspiring.' David Koch 'Kurt Fearnley gives life a good name.' Andrew Denton 'Aside from all the medals, accolades and achievements, in my humble opinion it is his larrikin sense of humour, positive attitude to life, never forgetting where he comes from and his belief that there is nothing he can't do that makes him a national treasure.' Layne Beachley  

Genres: Nonfiction, Autobiography, Biography

271 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 22, 2014

About the author

World-beater Kurt Fearnley was born without the lower portion of his spine. He grew up in tiny Carcoar in NSW, and took up wheelchair racing in his teens. He has gone on to be a three-time Paralympic gold medallist and has won marathons all around the world, including the prestigious New York, London and Chicago marathons multiple times. His exploits are not confined to wheelchair racing – he has crawled the Kokoda track and the Great Wall of China and sailed with a winning Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race crew. Kurt's exploits both in and out of sport saw him recognised as the 2009 NSW Young Australian of the Year.

He lives in Newcastle with his wife and son.

Reviews

[Ryan B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two weeks ago Champion Australian wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley won his fifth New York Marathon. This book is a touching reflection on his life, his trying sport, and the immense challenge that anybody would face completing Kokoda - let alone from someone moving without the assistance of their legs. It's quite a talent that in a book I could relate so much with Kurt, yet find so much inspiration from his amazing efforts. It touches you, informs you, and leaves you warm with satisfaction that the world is a better place for hearing from this Aussie character achieving his dreams.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kurt Fearnley is an outstanding Australian in anyone's language with lashings of courage, and sheer grit. His exploits as a wheelchair athlete are legion, as well as his participation in the Sydney to Hobart Ocean Race and completing the Kokoda Track by crawling it, set him apart from your average. I was pleased to see him presenting the ABC TV program One plus One recently, which showed he has a very pleasant on-camera personality and a pleasing interview style and I look forward to seeing more of him in this role in the future. But, above all, it is Kurt Fearnley, the human being that comes through the pages of this book. His likes and dislikes, his drivers, his beliefs and his personality. His work for charity. Clearly his family has been the foundation of all of this. This all comes through in this outstanding autobiography that shows what make Kurt tick and I look forward to further volumes about Kurt's mounting achievements in the future. I loved this book and believe it should be required reading for all Australians.

[Olwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring read, plus some useful insights for policymakers in the airline industry.

This book would also be interesting for people training for marathons, and anyone planning to tackle the Kokoda Trail.

[Maxine Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kurt is an amazing guy, who has an amazing family. Reading this has definitely made me have a look at myself and my relationships with people around me.
It was an eye opening read.

This was in my top 3 best reads for 2015.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've belatedly been noticing Kurt a lot more in the media and he really is astounding and just terrific to listen too. His enthusiasm and humanity are infectious. His career overwhelming.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Kurt certainly makes the point about how his family and community attitudes shaped his own attitudes in life. There is certainly a lot to admire about his family.

Other things that struck me is that he has healthy self-esteem, doesn’t take himself too seriously and is keen to improve the lives of athletes who have a disability. There are also some interesting insights about how the Paralympics have changed attitudes and facilities in many countries. Also it was illuminating when he wrote about questions people ask him and how he would like to be treated.

It was hard to read the section on Kokoda and how hard that must have been for him. Even that was interesting how his example affected the attitudes of people in many villages in Papua New Guinea. Recommended.

[Ann Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book to give to my grandson (teenager). It sat on my bookshelf for a long time . I watched Anu paint Kurt on the ABC. Then I just had too read it.

I loved this book , the way his family and himself never thought of him as an invalid. His power of positive thinking . His achievements , his love of family , his courage and determination .

Plus he is an Aussie His photo is on a flag at the local uni . ......very inspiring.

I would recommend this book to all who think their abilities are limited

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was interested in reading this book to understand a World Champion athlete's journey and how he has stayed on top of his game for so long. Kurt Fearnley's book had that and so much more. I also love the fact that he's a great Aussie bloke who cares about others whilst striving to achieve his own goals.

[Stephen Fleet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not usually my type of book.
(don’t do Biographies, although that seems to be changing as the last few I’ve read have been thoroughly enjoyable)
But this was a bloody marvellous read “a ripping yarn”.

If you’re at a loss as to what to read next give this a go.
It’s emotional, motivational, a great peek into the psyche of a sportsman and a great tale of support and overcoming prejudice

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational about what you can achieve if you want it.
There are no barriers to your dreams.
Disabilities are largely misunderstood because of ignorance. It's time the barriers are pulled down.
The last chapter is the pinnacle of the book.

Thanks Kurt, you've given me the kick up the arse I need.

[Mark Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. If I was just rating his achievements, then it would be 5 stars. In terms of the read, it was quick to read and gave insight into his upbringing and achievements. And definitely worth reading if you’re about to head out to do the Kokoda track!

[Lauren Hasler · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring read and an amazing person Kurt is. I especially enjoyed the Kokoda chapters having completed the Kokoda track myself in 2013. His comments and experiences on disability are extremely important to building an inclusive and enabling community.

[Nez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read about a man making his mark on the world.
Very interesting, and moving - it will make you cry in parts.

[Steve Chilcott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible man who has achieved some incredible feats.
I already had a huge amount of time and respect for Kurt Fearnley but after this book he is an inspiration and one of my favourite humans.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

So uplifting! I felt motivated for life after I read this, and the last paragraph brought tears to my eyes.

[Jim Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and hugely inspiring. Can't image the pain threshold Kurt has continually gone through to achieve his amazing goals. An absolute legend!

[Karla Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read!

[Luka · Rating 5 out of 5]

he is my relative

[Libor Jelenek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humble, Honest, and Truly Inspirational

Pushing the Limits by Kurt Fearnley is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when determination meets courage. It’s not just about chasing dreams — it’s about breaking down barriers, many of which exist only because of misunderstanding or ignorance about disability.

Kurt reflects openly on his life, the challenges of elite sport, and the immense difficulty of completing the Kokoda Track — something daunting for anyone, let alone for someone moving without the use of their legs. His story is engagingly written, with a tone that feels friendly and familiar, almost as if you’re hearing it directly from him over a conversation.

What stands out most is Kurt’s humility. He never overstates his achievements, yet his resilience and perspective are deeply inspiring. This is a book that doesn’t just tell a story — it shifts how you see possibility, strength, and human potential.

[Fran · Rating 2 out of 5]

How could you not be in owe of somebody who achieved so much both personally and athletically?
In this book there is not an ounce of self-pity or commiseration: everything is presented like it would be if we were reading the sport achievements of an Olympian (and not a Para-Olympian).
If this is what you are after then this book could be ok.

But I was expecting to read way more about the personal journey, the challenges, the difficulties and how Kurt overcame them; apart from few pages, the book feels like a sport chronicle of dates, times, locations.

Plus, I cannot help think that Kurt has been given opportunities that the majority of disable people don't have. Disable people need to fight to get the elevator working in their building; they don't get asked to take part to a famous sailing event.

Given my expectations, I cannot give more than 2 stars to Kurt's book: in my opinion, the book falls short.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fabulous, telling the story of Kurt's start in life, through his childhood in country New South Wales to his successful sporting career. The writing is engaging but not overdone and the tone is friendly and familiar, almost like you're hearing the story from a friend. Kurt is both incredibly humble and completely focused in whatever pursuit he takes on and the book had me constantly questioning the limits I put on myself. What could I achieve if only I believed that I could?

Great book and an inspiring athlete.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a bloody legend. I picked this up after watching his interview by Julia Zemiro on Home Delivery where his cheeky larrikinism was all too evident. It comes through in this fascinating, awe-inspiring and well-written autobiography, one that doesn't orchestrate tugging of the heart strings but a cracking tale of an Aussie kid who worked hard to do everything he wanted to do.

His final words on improving society's perceptions, engagement with, and treatment of people with disabilities is terrifically thought provoking too.

[Tay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful, fascinating story that I found provocative and challenging. A thoroughly interesting memoir style with writing that is vivid and conversational. What I took away from this is the importance of not being the barrier to other people's goals. This book taught me about what can happen when self-determination, hard work and stubbornness meet opportunity. And, yes, it is inspiring...Kurt's achievements are awesome but it's that sheer bloody-mindedness and work ethic that grabs this reader's attention. I'm glad he wrote this book.

[Janaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This autobiography was easy to read, entertaining and powerful. There is no place for self pity or inadequacy in this mans tale. Kurts view on living, with disability appears completely embracing. The capability, power, self belief and inner strength of this man is, quiet frankly, as humbling as it is, inspiring.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kurt Fearnley is a dead set sporting hero in the class of Robert de Castella and Kieran Perkins. Thanks for sharing your story Kurt.

[Mike Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kurt is an amazing athlete - winner of at least 35 of 50 marathons and has represented Australia at 4 Paralympic Games. This book may change the way you look at disability and parasports.

[Barbara Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone and everyone will benefit from this amazing story.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational.

[Robin Mcguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed and I cried! Could relate to things