Athlete overcomes illness to rise to the top

Jet’aime suffered from idiopathic transverse myelitis, a neurological ailment that could affect anyone, caused by swelling of the spinal cord, which disrupts the communication to other areas of the body and limits or stops the ability to move.

“Without the love and support of my family and friends, I would never have gotten through it. Ultimately, watching my three girls, who were little at the time, running around, demanding attention was the wake-up call I needed. You must understand, I have a visually-impaired mother who is amazing and who most people don’t even realise has any physical impairment and I lost my brother who was a top South Africa apprentice jockey to a freak accident the year I turned 21. He achieved so much in his short life and is still my hero. And there I was lying in bed, feeling sorry for myself thinking that was all I had to offer my daughters in life. I had to be more.”

Through medication and a strict physical exercise regime, she recovered and since has competed in the Two Oceans; Comrades Marathon; received South African colours as part of the International Federation of Bodybuilders, South Africa women’s world team in 2012; skydived; bungee-jumped; done a bridge swing; dived with the great whites sharks; competed in trail running competitions and graced the cover of Weighless Magazine.

This year, she tackled the Warrior Obstacle Race Series, which has been her most difficult, but most rewarding challenge thus far. The series consists of obstacle courses, which take place throughout the year in various parts of the country. Participants run off-road, tackling man-made obstacles, including mud pits, high walls, tunnels and heavy objects.

Having missed the first three challenges, Jet’aime was crowned the women’s elite champion in the fourth and fifth. “Nothing could have prepared me for it. Distances are between 29 and 30km with about 30 obstacles. As a competitor in the elite competition, I do the same obstacles and weights as the men and am required to do all obstacles with no assistance. General athletes can be assisted and work in teams and may miss an obstacle, I however would be disqualified. Let’s face it when you are in the same starting batch as the iconic Olympic triathlete, Claude Eksteen, you ask, ‘what have I gotten myself into’? But my need to succeed far outweighed my fear of failure.”

No matter what she has attempted, she credits her support structure for her success. “Without the support of my family and friends, winning means nothing. My girls are my number one supporters, and sometimes believe in me more than I do. Through all the challenges I have faced, I believe I have taught my girls nothing is impossible without the right mindset, hard work and dedication, just as my parents taught me.

I drive my family mad, always wanting to do everything and anything. Instead of impeding my progress, my fight against idiopathic transverse myelitis has done the complete opposite. I know how far and how hard I can push myself. I train three sessions a day, totalling about three hours, five times a week. I generally run trail races on Saturday mornings, if not then I train with the racing snakes at Giba Gorge on Sunday. I generally run and cycle on the promenade outside Durban Surf with my girls.”

Even with a punishing fitness regime, Jet’aime owns a successful business, runs a gym and has plans to open more businesses this year, while ferrying her three active and ambitious daughters to their various activities.

“I wouldn’t be doing the things I love if it wasn’t for the advice and knowledge of others. I’d like to be able to give back to others as those who believed in me gave to me. I often sit back and look at what I have achieved – it’s been an unbelievable journey, one I never expected. You never know what 2014 will bring, but there are always new challenges and I am excited to meet them.”