10 Questions For: Jamie Marais

This extreme endurance athlete has set a new world record for the greatest number of summits of Table Mountain ever attempted over two days. Jamie reached the top of the Mother City’s most iconic landmark 22 times in 28 hours on Thursday, 25 August, as part of his #FourGiantsChallenge to help people with physical disabilities.

1. How would you describe what you do for a living?
I earn a living from sponsorships, corporate speaking engagements and commercial modelling.  I have many years of corporate experience in developing marketing strategy and brand activation, and this has served me well in establishing #FourGiantsChallenge and my world record attempts as a commercially viable undertaking.

2. What is your most vivid childhood memory?
I clearly remember falling off a large black stallion at the age of five. The horse reared when a dog attacked it and I was thrown backwards, but my left foot got stuck in the stirrup.  The horse took off down a rocky, gravel pathway and I was dragged behind for hundreds of metres.  I was very badly injured, but I think it toughened me up for life!

3. If you could invite any three people, dead or alive, for dinner, who would they be and why?
1. Samson from the Bible
2. Bono from U2
3. Salomon Ultra runner Killian Jornet
All of these people inspire me incredibly, push the limits and possess superhuman qualities.

4. If you ever found yourself auditioning for a music reality TV show, what song would you sing and why?
‘Tears in Heaven’ by Eric Clapton. One of the best songs ever written and most people have lost a loved one and can hope of seeing that person again one day.

5. How would you complete this sentence? The South African Cabinet should include a Minister of _____________.
Professional Sports Development.

6. What would you say is the biggest misconception about you?
Owing to the fact that most of my record attempts are solo challenges, many people perceive me as a loner, when in fact, I absolutely love working in a team, meeting new people and engaging with those around me.  It takes a massive team to prepare for and take on world records, and I have at least 25 people who form part of my team from medics, doctors, physiotherapists, chiropractors, brand representatives, support crew, friends and family.

7. What is your (honest) opinion of Cape Town?
For me, training, enjoying and living out my life in Cape Town is one of the greatest blessings that I have ever been given.  Cape Town offers so much in every aspect and is without a doubt one of the best cities in the world that you will ever have the privilege of visiting or living in.  There is just so much to see, do and experience within a 45- minute radius of the City Bowl.  

Our cultural history as a trading and refreshment station providing fresh fruit and vegetables for Ships travelling the East to the West means Cape Town was and still is all about being “refreshed”!  Everyone who comes here leaves feeling refreshed!  The natural beauty and unique geographical placement of the surrounding mountains forms a natural amphitheatre which echoes the ‘music' of the Mother City – the hustle, bustle, relaxing-and-enjoying of this incredible city which offers so much beauty, inspiration and unbelievable value for money.

8. What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today?
The fear of failure.  As I always say to people, “All of us face giants, but no giant is too big to face”.  I have had to face many giants in my life, but the bigger they are, the harder they fall!

9. What's the one thing you'd like to achieve before you die?
Life has thrown many curve balls at me over the last 10 years, and everything I am doing has been how I have responded to the challenges life has thrown at me.  I think the challenge most of us face in life is trying balancing our passions with earning a living and making ends meet.  My passion is to live my life in a way that inspires people to live life to the full, and to leave an inheritance for my children, and the generations to come after me.

10. Which well-known South African personality would you, without a doubt, be able to beat in a dance-off and why? 
I think I would be able to give comedian Barry Hilton a good run for his money!  The dance- off would probably resemble the mating dance of a wild ostrich combined with a headless chicken!

Photo credit: Julian Goldswaine (Jamie Marais)

Photo credit: Josh Oates (Table Mountain)

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ABOUT #CapeTownMag10Q:
CapeTownMagazine.com’s 10 Questions project gets to know some of the Mother City’s most creative and inspiring people. From television personalities and musicians to politicians and entrepreneurs, we find out more about well-known and up-and-coming Capetonians. You can follow #CapeTownMag10Q on Twitter and Facebook to track recent interviews or read more here about our other awesome 10 Questions candidates.

A FEW OF OUR OTHER 10Q CANDIDATES:

10 Questions For Ultra-trail Endurance Athlete Ryan Sandes

10 Questions For Cape Town-based Author Bevan Frank

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