She defied the odds by becoming a triathlete in 2016 – only three years after having a life-saving double lung and heart transplant.
But that was just the beginning of Brisbane woman Kate Phillips’ remarkable comeback, after she revealed she wants to truly test her limits in a gruelling Ironman event next year.
Speaking to FEMAIL, the 32-year-old said she’s set to begin a strict six-month preparation for the ultra-endurance event, which will be held in Cairns, far-north Queensland, in June.
Brisbane woman Kate Phillips (pictured) is set to compete in the ultra-endurance event – which will be held in Cairns, far-north Queensland, in June – five years after a double lung and heart transplant
Speaking to FEMAIL, the 32-year-old (pictured) said she’s set to begin a strict six-month preparation for the ultra-endurance event
‘This is my biggest and scariest goal to date, and I can’t wait to get started,’ Ms Phillips said.
The event could see her become the first double lung and heart transplant recipient to complete the challenge, which consists of a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and a full-distance marathon (42.2kms) consecutively.
Ms Phillips said her desire to compete in the ultimate endurance test comes from her love for the sport, although she admitted regular triathlons have left her with plenty of energy left in the tank.
‘I don’t think I have actually pushed my body to its limits in triathlons yet, I have been very cautious in the past … but each event I push myself that little bit further as I become stronger,’ she said.
‘I don’t do it to test my limits, or to push boundaries, but because I truly love the sport of triathlon.
‘This is my biggest and scariest goal to date, and I can’t wait to get started,’ Ms Phillips (right) said
The event could see Ms Phillips (pictured) become the first double lung and heart transplant recipient to complete the challenge
Ms Phillips (pictured) said her desire to compete in the ultimate endurance test comes from her love for the sport
‘I love being able to be active, and I am simply making up for lost time for all the things I always wanted to do, but couldn’t until I received the ultimate gift of life from my donor.’
Ms Phillips was born with congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension, which led to her having surgery at just 10-months-old to repair a hole in her heart.
She said she was ‘really lucky’ to live a relatively normal childhood until she began having difficulties in her teenage years.
Her condition began to slowly deteriorate until she suffered a cardiac arrest at the age of 24.
Ms Phillips was then considered by doctors as being at ‘high risk’ of sudden death, leading to her double lung and heart transplant in 2013.
Ms Phillips (pictured in 2013) was born with congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension, which led to her having surgery at just ten-months-old to repair a hole in her heart
Ms Phillips (pictured with her mother) was considered by doctors as being at ‘high risk’ of sudden death, leading to her double lung and heart transplant in 2013
Ms Phillips competed in her first triathlon only three years after having the life-saving transplant
The transplant gave her a second chance at life – and the opportunity complete her first triathlon only three years later.
‘It’s still a really weird thing to get my head around that I can actually do these things now,’ she said.
‘I spent 27 years living a completely different and somewhat limited life, so to now be able to train and push myself like everyone else is a constant pinch-yourself moment. I am just forever grateful.’
She added: ‘I appreciate simply being alive, and I do whatever I can to keep it that way.’