Pain is worthwhile
PUMA ambassador Nedd Brockmann completes 1,600km run
November 11, 2024PUMA ambassador Nedd Brockmann completes 1,600km run
November 11, 2024He broke down in tears after completing an astounding 1,600km fundraising run to combat homelessness – the Uncomfortable Challenge . Our beloved Aussie PUMA ambassador, Nedd Brockmann, crossed the finish line after running 4,000 laps of Sydney Olympic Park’s running track in just over 12 and a half days. Nedd embarked on this epic journey with the goal of breaking the world record for running 1,600km in 10 days, while raising funds for the homelessness charity We Are Mobilise. Despite injuries and crippling pain preventing him from setting the world record, Nedd has raised $4.8 million so far for the cause. Having run the equivalent of more than 38 marathons in under two weeks, we are incredibly proud of Nedd´’s dedication and resilience.
In this exclusive interview, Nedd shares his motivations, the physical and mental hurdles he faces, and how he hopes to inspire others to step out of their comfort zones for a greater cause.
What inspired you to start the Uncomfortable Challenge?
Nedd: Off the back of my run across Australia, my intention was to help people through the fundraising primarily. A byproduct of pushing myself and doing it for someone else, was seeing that a lot of other people wanted to do the same – they wanted to take on their own challenges and they wanted to help others as well. So, I created Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge. The aim was to give people a platform to be able to do this – push themselves to do something that was uncomfortable and do it for someone else – as well as put it out there so they could be held accountable.
Day 1
Can you share some of the biggest physical and mental challenges you’ve faced during this journey?
Nedd: The hardest part mentally was having no reprieve—no breaks, no light heartedness—the things I’m used to having in past challenges. I can usually find some good in the bad, but this time, I had none of that. There was no joy, no sense of accomplishment after each day. It was hard, painful, and honestly, it sucked in every way. No decompression, no joy. The win was getting through 12.5 days of one of the most excruciating things you could ever do and finishing.
How do you stay motivated when the going gets tough, especially during such gruelling runs?
Nedd: If you’ve done the work and have set yourself a goal or a target and put it out there, that should be all the motivation you need. I don’t rely on what people commonly refer to as motivation, I rely on knowing that I’ve done this time and time again, and it just has to be done. There’s no other option. I put one foot in front of the other and get on with it, leaning on the hours of work I’ve put in beforehand to get the job done.
Day 2
Day 3
What does it mean to you to raise awareness and funds for the homelessness charity?
Nedd: This past month has been life-changing, not just for me but, I hope, for many other people as well. Seeing thousands take on tough challenges for personal growth and to support those experiencing homelessness has been truly humbling. Through the overwhelming response to Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge, we’ve shown the power of coming together, pushing our limits, and giving back to those who need it most. A reminder that we’re all capable of so much more than we think,
especially when it’s for a cause bigger than ourselves.
How do you manage your nutrition and hydration during such intense physical activity?
Nedd: Honestly, I couldn’t even tell you what I ate—my team would know better! But hydration was key, especially on the hotter days. Managing my weight was also a big part of nutrition; I didn’t actually end up losing any! I had a high dairy intake, with loads of milk leading up to the run, which really worked in my favour. It was all about staying super aware of everything I consumed.
Day 4
Day 5
What advice would you give to someone looking to step out of their comfort zone and take on a similar challenge?
Nedd: I’m not here to give advice—learning by figuring things out yourself is the best way. The key is to throw yourself in the deep end and discover what you’re capable of. If you say you’re going to do something, commit to it, show discipline, and it will pay off.
What are your plans after completing this challenge?
Nedd: I want to be proud of what I’ve done—not shut off from it or downplay it. I’m going to take some downtime now and think about what’s next, but I’m pumped with how Nedd’s Uncomfortable Challenge went. I’m hopeful it’ll get into the nation’s psyche (and maybe beyond) so we can do this every year.
Day 11
Day 12
How has the support from PUMA and the running community impacted your challenge?
Nedd: PUMA’s support has been unwavering from day one. Having people who believe in you and give you the support to make things like this happen really makes all the difference. Just look at the MagMax—I never would’ve dreamed I’d be part of creating a running shoe with one of the biggest companies in the industry! I’m incredibly grateful to PUMA for taking a chance on a young and maybe a bit naïve, kid doing crazy things. Big shout out to the Oceania PUMA team who have been incredible to work with.
How did the PUMA MagMax shoes perform during your runs, and what features stood out to you the most?
Nedd: When you’re going all day, you want shoes you don’t even think about—no worrying about your feet, your landing, or any of that. Just put one foot in front of the other and focus on the journey. I trained in them in the lead up and I knew they would last and last and last. These shoes go the distance, I love them, and they got me over the line.
