Q and A with Live Inside car winner
I went into this with a calm certainty that I would make it.
Getting to know Jacques Kruger
Q: How old are you?
A: 34
Q: How tall are you?
A: 2m
Q: What made you want to do this?
A: My wife urged me to enter and I wanted to prove to myself that I can mentally handle depravation and a physical challenge such as this.
Q: What did you miss the most in the car?
A: My wife Heidi and two young sons Jordan and Dylan.
Q: Did you know any of the finalists before?
A: No
Q: Did you form any lasting friendships in the car?
A: Yes I believe I will continue being friends with Stephan Coetser and Lynn Pillay.
Q: What was the hardest part of the two weeks?
A: Enduring the physical pain. Mentally I was stable throughout, but due to my height, I was in extreme pain in my lower body from day one.
Q: Did you surprise yourself by lasting so long?
A: I went into this with a calm certainty that I would make it. I didn’t even have nerves prior to the actual event starting, but I went in to test my ability to endure and I was surprised that I was able to physically do what I mentally believed I could.
Q: How long do you think you could have lasted – until 31 August?
A: Yes, I would not have quit. I learnt many personal lessons and I had to be an example to my two boys to show them what perseverance means and looks like, to refuse to give up no matter what.
Q: What would you do different if you had to do it again?
A: I don’t believe I would change much. I played an excellent game and adjusted perfectly every time the competition went up a notch.
Q: What was the first thing you did when you got home?
A: I took a proper, foamy shower, as hot as I could handle.
Q: When did you go back to work?
A: I was back at work the day after it ended, Monday 24 August.
Q: What did you do on the weekend after getting out?
A: I spent time with my family, parents and in-laws and had a small braai, because I was dying for fresh salad and braaied meat, but only after taking a four-hour nap.
Q: What is your plan with the car – are you keeping it?
A: My wife and I have not decided for certain as yet.
