Turning Right - Inspire the Magic: How to transform who you think you are to reach your highest aspirations

by Kay Bretz

2021 Living Now Book Awards - Silver medalist, Male Memoir category

A compelling, award-winning account of marathon runner Kay Bretz’s transformation into one of the best ultra-runners in the world, for fans of David Goggins’  Can’t Hurt Me . Ultra-runner Kay Bretz beat the race record of Australia’s Big Red Run by more than five hours and was awarded the Australian Ultra Performance of the Year Award at the 24-hour world championships in France – but it took a significant change in mindset to do it.

In  Turning Right,  the elite athlete and executive coach shares his fascinating personal journey to success, interweaving his amazing running journey with how he overcame physical, mental and professional challenges to achieve his goals and break records, all by ‘turning right’ when his perspective on what he was capable of started to shift. Bretz explains how he left behind self-imposed limitations that prevented him from reaching his dreams, often rejecting what was reasonable and logical, and found the magic instead.

Brilliantly interweaving his amazing running journey with the challenges in his professional and personal life, Bretz leaves behind the reasonable and logical to find the magic. His book will inspire the magic in you too.

344 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Was particularly grateful that Kay didn’t overdo the metaphor and link between running and leadership, but more focused on telling the simultaneous stories of his journey through both. Insightful, relateable and thought-provoking. A great example of the power of the mind, what we can achieve when we can recognise and manage our emotions, and the never-ending journey of self-awareness.

[Fran Cormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

The brain, and the mind are fascinating. Picking this book up I was intrigued by the title. Was it just a book about running? Then through the course of reading it, my brain “pattern recognition” kicked in and within a week I had read the words “turn right” somewhere completely different. And with the same underlying message.

How do we break out of our habitual patterns and “turn right”? This was literally what Kay Bretz (pronounced Kai) did and it changed the course of his life. A high flying consultant, originally from Germany, Kay was finding himself working long hours and wondering whether he was getting the fulfilment he desired.

His downtime was running marathons, originally, until that was no longer challenging him. Working his way up, often through sheer grit and determination, Kay found himself on the Australian team of 24 hour runners. Yes, running for 24 hours. I will let you read the book to find out how far Kay got in that time.

Running for a whole day gave Kay lots of time to think about his life, and the direction he would like to go in. Where the right turn would take him. If you have a coaching background much of the underlying messages in the book will look familiar to you. And each chapter finishes with some great self reflection questions. A kind of mini coaching session for you to reflect on for your own journey.

Kay’s story is not an easy one to read at times. He had a tough childhood and he doesn’t shy away from exploring this in the book. We get a glimpse into his life in Germany, boarding school in Scotland and a stint living in Spain. All before he made his way to Australia. Something inside was driving Kay to achieve and then over achieve. And he did this time and again.

If you love running, this is a book for you. The races, the preparation that goes into such arduous events, and getting inside the mind of a runner as they traverse sand dunes for hours on end is fascinating by itself. And this book is not just for runners.

If you have ever found yourself wondering where the next left turn might take you, it might just be time to “turn right”.

[Nikita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Give up all ideas about yourself , what you meant to be and simply be." The value of this book cannot be overstated I hold my copy very close and dear. From the perspective of sheer knowledge this book wastes no paper. This book doesn't waste your time. After reading the book it feels that layers and layers of pessimism has just peeled over and what remains is the infinite growing mindset , courage. The reader will find all the answers. One sincere advice, please read it slowly, one chapter at a time. It will be easy to grasp that way.

All and all this is an amazing book written by an amazing author.

Highly Recommended!

[The Reviewera · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is very rare for a book live beyond the pages, and at the same time let it transcend its own genre into something else. Turning Right does that, and more.
Five Stars read for me.

One of the best book I have read this month!
Highly recommend it! I only leave positive feedback and reviews when I love the book.
Feel free to ask anything regarding this book.
A must read for sure.
I'd recommend this book to everyone who would like to read a good inspiring Literature.
The book is written in a very interesting way.
A must read for sure

[Joseph Rajan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read from a noble soul. Thank you for sharing your trials and tribulations on a truly marvellous journey.

I've known Kay for some time and have had the good fortune to work with him.
This book has shown me a new side to Kay and I'm grateful he shared his journey for me to learn from and reflect on.

[Sarah Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fellow Ultra runner, I could not put this book down. So inspiring and thought-provoking, I resonated with so much of Kay's story. Not only does the body need to be prepared for Ultras, but the mind too. So much self reflection and self awareness can be found on the trails.

Thanks so much for sharing your story Kay - definitely a must read for runners and leaders alike

[Gia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always I left my front gate this morning at 4am, I turned right. Not something i have ever done. The run extended by 2.5km once I got onto my normal loop of 10km. Let’s just say it felt good, i embraced the book, took notes, answered questions and found the only obstacle that stands in our way is us.

Outstanding read

[Laura Aston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspiring story of a determined runner and high performing individual, who learns to be vulnerable through his pursuit of endurance running. Warning: this book will also make yoy want to pull on the trail shoes and not look back! Nice one Kay