Nedd Brockmann on why he isn’t a social media influencer, his 4000km run from Perth to Bondi

Sydney-based former electrician Nedd Brockmann became the fastest Australian to run across the country. Just don’t call him an influencer.

Nedd Brockmann: ‘Never refer to me as an influencer, mate.’

Sydney-based former electrician Nedd Brockmann, 24, is a self-described ‘athlete, motivator and Aussie battler’. Last year he became the fastest Australian to run across the country

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The process of writing a book about my almost 4000km run from Perth to Bondi Beach was …a thoroughly enjoyable experience. However, it’s much more than just a book about my run across Australia. Yes, it’s filled with the 46-day bonanza but it also dives into why I choose to take on challenges and run at life headfirst. It was nice to reflect on my schooling; having a better perspective on stuff has actually been really cool.

The closest I came to giving up was …You never give up in my world.

The most curious thing I encountered running from Perth to Sydney was ….when I was running at 5am and had high-vis on. There was this ute with a boat flying over the hill. It was pitch black. He had his lights on and must have been startled by me. He was off his head – but not in a good way. He swerved and I thought he was going to crash. But he drove into the Nullarbor Roadhouse and was doing doughies in the carpark. He was honking and yelling out someone’s name. No, f--ks given for lack of a better word. I’m a fairly curious person having grown up in Forbes, in country New South Wales. I’m very open to anyone. But there were a few characters out there where you were like, “Where the hell have you come from?”

The whole point of pushing past your limits is …to live a fulfilled life. In discomfort and struggle we grow and learn resolve. Nothing worth having comes easy; if it falls in your lap, it’s probably not worth it.

My relationship with running today is …the same as it was when I started three years ago. I run because it’s the one thing I really don’t like doing. I never really liked it. It’s my one way of getting uncomfortable. It also allows me to champion causes like helping to end homelessness.

On my mind at 3am is …Nothing. I’m fast asleep.

The last time I had to say no was …when I was hit by “Oy, can we get a photo?” from these four young boys. I turned it back on them and said, “Oy! No!”. I’m a person the way you are. I’m always so down for getting photos with people. And if someone recognises me and says, “Hey, can we please get a photo?” that’s fine. There’s got to be an understanding and a respect that I’m human, too.

The weirdest thing in my shopping trolley is …probably the copious amount of milk I drink? I’m on at least 1.2 to 1.5 litres a day.

The one thing I can’t do without daily is …Right now? Pull ups. All jokes aside I think being present each day, not looking forward or back, just in the moment is a powerful skill. I try my best each day to be present as much as possible.

When people started calling me an influencer …I hated it. I’m not one. The idea of being an influencer is based on a social media following as opposed to what you’ve done. I feel like the influencer tag is for people who want to become more of someone on a social media platform – whereas I just want to be me and inspire. The trade-off is that for me to be able to inspire and raise money for homelessness, I actually have to bring people along with me. I don’t want to be the guy posting, “Hey guys, this is my new brand collab” but in order to do what I need to do, I have to. I’m just doing hard things and trying to bring people on the journey as opposed to being like, “Hey, I want to influence you to do
this”. I just want them to be able to do that themselves. Never refer to me as an influencer, mate (laughs).

Showing Up by Nedd Brockmann is published by Simon and Schuster.