Sunday 16 September 2018

What I learnt from my year of business: 5 lessons

Millions in the bank? Nope. Plenty of failures? Absolutely. Worth it? Of course. I never dreamed I would have my own business, I have always been the joint owner of ventures. Last year I stepped out on my own and I have learnt some huge lessons. 


This is what the gym looked at before I ever opened up. There was tons of equipment to move and a lot of cleaning to be done. I thought I would never be ready in time. 

On 1 Septemeber 2017 I opened the doors of my new gym in Witbank South Africa. I was tucked into a large workshop building a local school had no need for. The floor, a rugged, wrecked paint job on a concrete floor. The roof, a flaking damp polystyrene covering. The windows were cracked and broken. I had some close friends help me drill a pull up rig into the wall as well as put up my barbell rack. Besides that I had very little besides the dust on the floor and a big open space. I was terrified. On the Friday I opened I had three member start training with me not many had backed me in succeeding in the venture. Something in my heart was sure, I loved this, it was my passion to give to people this gift I had discovered while training at my old CrossFit Gym. 


I got some equipment and with the help of some amazing people who believed in me, I started putting everything in place. You can even see the floor not painted. I wish you could see the dust. 


1) Trust Yourself: 

If you have done your research, put down the original investment. It is time to trust in your own abilities and walk forth in the dream for yourself. Others may doubt you and even slander your attempts but trusting yourself is key. There is nothing like standing crouched down in an attempt to lift a heavy weight above overhead in a technical weightlifting movement and a couch shouts out "Trust yourself" its the same here. The results and small things will fall into place. 

I started coaching some youngsters from the school in preparation for their rugby season. I coached so many school kids and classes I just had about 5 outside members in my first 3 or so months. 


2) Start with what you have: 

Being over exposed financially is very draining. You do not need millions of rands worth of equipment to start coaching and helping people. A space and an opportunity is all you need to help someone shed 10 kilograms, get fit and change their lifestyle into one of health. Start small and start simple. 

3) Always put back into the business: 

Each month I make it a goal to add something extra to the gym. A dumbbell or two, some painting, some renovations. The members see this and appreciate you investing in the place they train. People start offering help and advice to make the place they train look good. People look after their equipment. 
Over the course of the year I slowly started adding equipment.

4) Look back once in a while:

To see how far you have come is probably the most rewarding thing ever! Take that time to celebrate the small successes. While aiming for the stars, don't forget to see how far you have travelled from earth. 

5) Be thankful and humble: 

Everything is given by grace and can collapse overnight. The economy could collapse, an earthquake could destroy a building. Always switch of your light of your business when you leave and be thankful for every thing you have. You have not conquered anything, it has only been entrusted to you for a brief time. 


Some of the members training

I have a member who through hard work and diet has lost over 45 kilograms. This week he lost another 5% body fat in one month and is making huge strides towards changing his life. The moments looking into his eyes and seeing him able to reclaim activities in his life, those are the moments you are so grateful to be part of the fitness industry.

Getting to help people get fit and in shape is one of the greatest joys I have. 



Thursday 12 July 2018

You are what you are thinking

We all have 7 days in the week. 7 days to balance, love, life, work and surviving emotionally on this planet. Sometimes things get tough, yesterday was one of those days that I just needed to step outside of myself to connect with people and listen to stories of peoples lives. Do we really care whats happening in peoples lives? I promise you, that if you would take an interest in somebody else's story, you will be blown away by their inspirational stories. 

If you want to be listened to, listen genuinely to others. 

As a fitness coach I have many people walking through my gym door on a daily basis, as somebody who likes to train and stay fit as well, giving so much of oneself can become quite tiring especially if you lose perspective of what you are trying to do. For example, there are so many books out there to show you how to get rich, by building relationships, connecting with people and more. Steps to gain success by manipulating the world to how you want it to be. 

I believe these things will lead you to a certain level of success until the universe and everything in it calls your bluff and motives and quickly many things come falling down around you. I can't remember the last time somebody took an interest in my training, asking me how things were going for me and what sort of projects I was getting into and perhaps that started to bother me a little. Victims mentality started creeping in. Me, me, me, I, I, I...not on an extreme level but I so badly just craved a bit of affirmation and encouragement I gave my athletes on a daily basis. 

Last night during one of the classes, on the way to take a break during a class, I got a glimpse of the most spectacular sunset through the dark clouds. The sun lit every air particle around me, painted it a shining red and yellow as if somebody in the heavens was directing a torch light over our town. As it got darker, the darkness slowly gobbled up the colors until specs of autumn red and orange sporadically dashed across the horizon. " A purpose" thats all that I was thinking. In the midst of all my thoughts I realized that the scientific methods and biological make up of every leaf, tree, spec of dust all engineered this planet to sustain life. And me? I was on it. We are on it, we get to be here, a fleeting moment in time. How much of that time are we spending thinking badly, feeling sorry for ourselves or being negative. 
Just one sunset can make all the difference


Now trust me, I haven't conquered these ways yet, not even nearly, but I am striving to everyday become a better version of myself. Its the journey, and the admitting of "not quite being there" that leads us on the path of growth. It isn't criticism of others or ones own circumstances that leads you forward but rather a positive change in ones mind that can hep you appreciate every minute in the day we are gifted with. 

I started reading this book "As a man thinketh" recently by James Allen. The book got me thinking about what happens in my brain everyday. We cannot be granted the things we hope for, wish for or pray for if everything else in our mind opposes it. Fear's kill out progress quite literally. Doubts end our hopes in their tracks. Hate, criticism, selfishness all lead us to a path we would rather not be on. 
I encourage all of you to give the book a read. Its only 44 pages and has the ability to change the way you think about a lot of things. 

After the sunset, I started to listen to stories about the New Life Children's Home for Foster children in my town, about some of my members daily challenges at work and in life and all of a sudden felt incredibly emotional so much so that I needed to step away. We all have purpose and there is something that all of us are made to do to help on this earth. The size of that task, in comparison to what we think is a noble calling must drastically change if we want to be effective. Simply starting where we are, not blaming circumstances for our misfortunes, doing what we can do with what we have will start to make the biggest differences in many peoples lives. 

If you think negative and feel you are sabotaging your own success I suggest the following: 

1) Pick up a helpful book to read and commit to your journey to better thinking 
2) Challenge yourself on your way to work to chose 10 things you are thankful for 
3) Listen to somebody, be there as a friend not to offer advise or to reply but simply to listen
4) When you have a bad thought, try spin it on its head and think positively 
5) On your way home from work think of 5 things that were positive in your day
6) Start looking for what is good rather than the bad and everyday your life will slowly change
7) Take time out to watch an inspiring movie or documentary that will encourage you to be more thankful, here is one that I am watching at the moment: Fish People 

An incredibly inspiring documentary to watch on Netflix


Monday 2 July 2018

Helping the Gorillas in Congo: What you can do

Chance? Iv'e never understood exactly what it meant, perhaps because Im not entirely convinced thats how things go. If we agree it exists, then it was by "chance" that this weekend I stumbled upon an incredible documentary on Netflix called Virunga.  Watch the trailer here


This movie had a huge impact on me


For months I have passed by this title not really sure what I was missing out on. Virunga is a National Park, the oldest in Africa at that, in the Congo. Having myself, travelled to Congo for a medical mission with Operation Smile, the first 5 minutes hooked me immediately.

I could relate with the countries hardships, the m23 Rebels, the exploitation by foreign companies, because I had in fact heard these stories told in person many times. If you haven't watched the movie, I suggest you go check it out, because I don't want to give to much away.


Many Rangers have died trying to protect the Mountain Gorillas


However, its Monday today, and as I sit here sipping on some freshly brewed coffee, the idea of many of our animals on this earth disappearing starts to haunt my thoughts. There must be something we can do? And there is...

I haven't really got involved with animal causes before because I always thought there are professionals who have dedicated their lives to helping specific species, I mean how could I assist them. Only now I have realized I can help by doing what I can in my home town to spread the word.

I am now a father... on Friday I became the proud father of the Mountain Gorilla, Kundurwanda who is now 5 years old. Yes I adopted the little guy! Okay fine, it is only a symbolic adoption, and perhaps I won't spend many years with the Gorilla and share personal memories but to me the idea of directly helping a disappearing species on earth made me so happy, and we all can do it. Here is how:


I am not the proud symbolic father of this little guy


Help save an Endangered Species:


1) Choose a species: you love that is on the endangered species list in the world

2) Commit to contributing financially to these animal annually or bi annually. (This an be a small donation) a thousand small donations makes a huge difference.

3) Think about adoption: You can symbolically adopt an animal. You can then print the certificate and put it up at your office I am sure it all trigger many conversations. Use the picture as a reminder of your small commitment to helping the wild life on this earth.

4) Spread the word: email and share the news and ask your friends and family to make symbolic adoptions. I challenged my girlfriend to adopt and endangered species and she has chosen a beautiful "Sloth" to commit to contributing towards.


The Three Toes Sloth is critically endangered, imagine the world without this beautiful creature


We have the power and influence to do small things to help this earth. The damage we done may be irreversible but the thought of having our kids grow up not knowing what a Gorilla, whale or Rhino is, breaks my heart. On top of that, the coral reefs disappearing is spelling disaster for the whole earth.

We can so easily get pulled into a world where we are so focussed on ourselves and our goals that we forget that there are animals that could use our help. I am one of them. Running a business, training and social life can often draw you into your own selfish little world. Remember, people have people to help each other, and circumstantially depending, themselves. Animals only have us, they cannot defend their territories alone.

Thursday 14 June 2018

Plastic bags: Solving a problem

We have invented, crafted, engineered, for our connivence must I say, something that will last longer than even coal, a commodity once thought to be a renewable resource.

A couple of years ago I visited Madagascar, a beautiful country off the East Coast of South Africa. I was volunteering for humanitarian work with the Mercy Ships Organization, literally a floating village and hospital traveling all around Africa helping the sick and those without access to good medical care. A day before I left myself and the headmaster of the school on the ship headed out onto the ocean on Stand Up paddles. It was a beautiful day, we rode the ocean and eventually wandered into some lagoons in land. The filth from litter, the smell and the plastic bags floating on the water not only saddened me but shocked me, I had never experienced this up close. A fantastic coastline loosing its ocean life through this.

A picture from Indonesia, not very different from what I saw in Madagascar


A plastic bag takes 1000 years to decompose. I don't know how many people you know who have just turned 1000 but the statistic should scare you if you have any consideration for the generation growing up.

I don't think our parents gave a shit about our earth, and I don't think our generation is doing enough either to see the reversal of the damage we have done. Each generation, caring only for themselves, has possibly sent a future generation into the most miserable and testing times any human has ever seen.

Some of the items which pollute our oceans the most


Let me just start by saying I am a Hypocrite! I have used plastic bags, I have left taps running, left light on in houses, driven petrol cars, smoked, you name it. I am by no means the greatest ambassador for making these small changes. Should that stop me from trying to make small changes? Should that cripple me from making any beneficial change for a generation to come? I think not. Every small difference I believe can make changes.

Money, consumerism and the market on a whole has created a need for plastic bags and everything really that does damage to the environment. Its a two way street, customers are willing to use/buy which means shops and sellers are willing to order which makes producers willing to continue the cycle. I suppose I don't blame them, I mean if that was your source of income you would need to think hard about leaving the industry. I don't think it started here though.


I believe if we put pressure on stores, they will have to listen

In the world everything is developed from an idea. A consumer has difficulty carrying their groceries, the store that offers a more convent way to transport groceries to the car and back to the house becomes the market leader. Perhaps you have to pay for a box or a crate, the store that creates the cheapest and most convenient way to carry your goods naturally becomes a first choice. To give it cheaply you need to make it cheaply regardless of the effects on our planet. So what do we do?

I have absolutely no idea, but I'm sure somebody on this planet may have a solution. Here is some basic information about the situation on plastic bags all over the world. Click Here
And here is a list of countries that have already banned plastic bags. 

Countries that have banned or partially introduces tax on plastic bags, tax is not enough. 

Recently on 5fm, presenters shared information on Woolworths possibly being the first store to ban plastic bans completely and phase them out. This news excited me, only to visit the store a week later and discover plastic bags still in full circulation. I think every customer can put pressure on stores to make this decision. What my girlfriend and I have started doing, where possible (as I say I am a hypocrite) is the following:

1) Refuse plastic bags at stores (even if the cashier has packed it in a bag, ask them to unpack it)
2) Take recyclable plastic bags when shopping
3) Look for "greener" companies to but goods from, online or in stores, stores that have box packaging instead of plastic.
4) Ask: "When are you getting rid of plastic bags?" If every customer says it every day, management will sit up and take notice.
5) Refuse straws at restaurants or shops: These are one of the biggest pollutants of our oceans


Whales dead from eating plastic


SIGN THE PETITION: Help the NZ government get rid of single use plastics, Click here: Sign

Its sad, not much can be done, but seeing whales die on beaches from plastic inhalation, is some of the saddest images I have seen. There is hundreds of images around the world of plastic pollution on beaches destroying out ecosystems if we can only be aware of it, perhaps we can make small changes and influence others to do the same.


Some ways and strategies to keep our oceans clean. 



Sunday 27 May 2018

A short trip to another country

Yes travel is about posting the picture in the airport. The coffee, the flight tickets, hast tag "traveling" if you haven't done this surely you are not living?


Well perhaps I used to think this, but a lot has changed for me in the last couple of years. These days small trips and excisions have brought me such joy and I believe it can "enlighten" excuse the pun, you will understand later, those who want to do more and see more on a daily basis in South Africa without exorbitant budgets.


I felt like I was in China

I had the opportunity to visit the Nan Hua Temple in Bronkhorstspruit recently and the experience blew my mind. Firstly it is very easy to find. Head off the N4 highway towards the massive temple you can see in the distance, continue straight until you see a sign prompting you to turn right.
You drive straight to the Temple. On your left on the approach is the visitors centre, I would suggest going there first although we did it the other way around.

The visitors centre has an awesome little coffee shop, Museum, Curio Shop and meditation room. When we were there, there was a group doing a retreat and it was really interesting to see them meditating and doing a lot of writing.


Once you have visited the office and main reception I am sure you will be impressed with the architecture and fine detail on all the buildings, but just wait for the main temples.

Be advised you cannot take any pictures inside their place of worship and always remove your shoes when entering the shrines.



The main temple is absolutely stunning, if you would like to see the Sunday ceremonies you will have to be there at 10am. If not however the Temple is open most days (except Mondays) until about 4pm.

I was impressed with the main shrine which had three gigantic statues of Budha in different forms. On that particular day the monks were celebrating the Birth Month of The Budha so there were beautiful displays everywhere. The kindness, patience and willingness to talk to us, explain the history and show us around is something that I found very cool.

Regardless of race or religion this is a cool little spot to get away to and almost "See another country" and way of living right on your doorstep. I enjoyed the peace especially, the break from technology, noise and a fast life.


I know the temple organize all sorts of retreats and activities, feel free to visit their page to get all the information.  Click Here

Friday 25 May 2018

Standing on your own two feet

I have flirted with a line of people pleasing and following my own dreams for most of my life. Last year was an incredibly difficult year in terms of business decisions, social decisions and career path decisions. In rough detail I would like to explain things that happened, perhaps it can save you a lot of pain in your own life.

I used to have this idea, as many people do, that contacts and people determine your altitude in life. This meant I needed to keep everyone happy, share everything with everyone and create meaningful relationships to possibly get "opportunities" handed down to me. The problem was, it worked, it led to most of my opportunities in life so far, especially in terms of my adventure. Until it all comes crashing down...
If it wasn't for my unfiltered time alone I would have never learnt how to enjoy myself, my thoughts and who I was. We have the power to be who we want to be. 

I was for the first time in my life shunned for the decisions I made for myself and not for others. When this happened it led to a whirlwind of backstabbing, gossiping and some disgraceful emails, messages and comments that I hope I will never come out for the sake of the people that sent them.

If you struggle with something like this I would suggest:

- Deleting all your social media platforms: 
Find out who your real friends are and who will stick with you when times are tough, it may take some months to eradicate the weeds from your life but eventually you will have a handful of good people in your life. Never forget how those people stood by you when times are tough, but also never let them manipulate you into doing things that aren't right for you just because they were there for you.

- Remove yourself: 
This would mean from social circles and the things you usually do. Are you doing these things for you or has it just become habit. You will find out sooner or later. Spend time with yourself. Read and explore your mind and hobbies again and try with everything in you to learn how to love yourself

- Learn how to say "no": 
If you were like me it was incredibly difficult to say no because I always thought this would come around to bite me and I would miss out on crucial opportunities. Newsflash, you are doing it for the wrong reasons anyway.

I used the best part of a year to retreat and concentrate on my book about Africa and cycling through it to break the Guinness World Record. It was something that I was incredibly proud of but last year had come to doubt myself and what I really was. The year of introspection lead me on a new path.

Remember that people don't rule you, never let people emotionally black male you or manipulate you to get what they want or to hold you back. When last did you say "Fuck off" to somebody who didn't fit into your life and had no right to voice an opinion over your life? Be careful of people who try get to close to you for ulterior reasons. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer" is one of the most genius manners of controlling people.

I had a friend who had been dating his girlfriend for about 3 years. When he broke up with her his best friend and christian m
entor consoled him and gave him advise on how to move forward through his life. He had been with him from the beginning to the end. One day it came out that it was his best friend who had been sleeping with his girlfriend all along. I can't imagine that, but I find it even more fascinating how naive we as humans can be.

 It may be mean to think The truth is I was so scared to ever say that because of the way I was brought up. I used to think it was my morals that stopped me from saying that, but actually its the fear of what people might think of you, because we all know, we think that at some stage in our life. People need to earn their trust, as do you, so always be honest, even if that means having people turn against you or judge you for your decisions.

Have courage to make bold decisions, scary decision regardless of what anybody say or thinks about it. You have this one life and I truly believe it is a gift to create in it something meaningful that you would like to do.

Everyday I get the opportunity to point people in a good direction in terms of health and making a positive difference in their life. I see people losing 30 kilograms in two months, putting on muscle, doing hand stand walks and hand stand push ups and the biggest message I always try put through it that you can be the conductor to the positive change you want to make in your life and you have the freedom to chose that. Regardless of race to religion, you are not at the will of the waves of life, you have an opportunity to do something and make a difference.


Your opinion matters less than the story...

 Today I was running.  It is Sunday, my long run.  The run that builds endurance.  It builds stamina and everything I need to complete my ma...