Heiko Stribl

A backpack, a lot of optimism and no plan B. At twenty-three, that was enough to leave South Africa for Europe.

Thirty years of international sales followed: a hotel room in Delhi, a hidden customer network in Tehran, a conversation in a Surabaya lift that tripled a business. Deals won and lost across India, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Some attempts worked. Many did not. Every one taught something.

Running and swimming kept the balance. Ultras came before the first marathon. Then the Comrades, back to back. And in the middle of a European winter, twelve marathons in twelve days through twelve countries: 504 km for refugee children. Today the former swim coach teaches runners to swim efficiently.

Raised in Pretoria. JL Oudtshoorn. MBA. Author of practical books on running and swimming for athletes over forty.

Two new books are coming soon. Try Again is for anyone who has fallen short and has to decide what comes next. From Runner to Efficient Swimmer: Master the Crawl is for runners who can go the distance on land and want to swim with the same ease.