In this compelling episode of The Long Game, we explore the journey of Jaco, a Paralympic athlete whose story is a powerful testament to resilience, dedication, and the mental toughness required to achieve greatness.

From winning his first national championship in 2011 to representing his country at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Jaco shares the invaluable lessons he’s learned. He reflects on the challenges of being passed over for the Olympic team in 2021, the doubts he faced, and the fire that kept him going.

Jaco’s journey is rooted in his upbringing in a disadvantaged community, where resilience and vision became his guiding principles. Along the way, I had the privilege of supporting him as his mental skills coach, helping him develop the sport psychology tools needed to stay focused under pressure, handle rejection, and excel on the world stage. Together, we worked on strategies that not only enhanced his performance in critical moments but also helped him navigate the mental demands of competing at the Paralympic Games.

This episode also highlights our sessions during the Olympics, where we worked through challenges and honed his mental game. Jaco’s story is more than an athlete’s journey; it’s a blueprint for turning setbacks into stepping stones and embracing the lessons that come with every challenge.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or someone chasing a dream, this episode will inspire you to harness the power of mental strength, resilience, and perseverance to reach extraordinary heights.

In this episode, we sit down with Ammara Pinto, an Olympic swimmer who represented Malawi at the Rio Games.

Coming from a family deeply rooted in sports—her older sister also an Olympic swimmer and her father a former national pro—Ammara grew up with big dreams and a competitive spirit.

Ammara shares her journey of managing pressure, adopting a mindset where she sees competition as a game: give your best, have fun, and don’t get weighed down by the seriousness. She reflects on her first Commonwealth Games in India, the overwhelm she felt, and how she narrowed her focus on her lane—literally and figuratively. Swimming 4 to 5 kilometers a day, Ammara learned to embrace sacrifice, giving up social events and early mornings to chase her dreams.

Now training in Budapest, Ammara discusses the importance of keeping her goals front and center, both mentally and physically. A visual learner, she keeps her season goals on her fridge, a daily reminder to follow the plan, not her feelings. From meeting her role model at the Olympics to mustering the courage to ask for help, she highlights the importance of staying disciplined, even when motivation falters.

Tune in for an inspiring discussion on resilience, focus, and the price of achieving greatness with Olympian Ammara Pinto.

In this episode, I sit down with Anerida Coetzee, a dynamic South African entrepreneur now based in Bangkok. We discuss her journey from South Africa to the UK for her studies, navigating the challenges of adapting to a new environment, and overcoming pivotal moments that shaped her growth both personally and professionally.

Anerida also shares insights from her master's research on burnout, shedding light on the crucial role of internal and external factors in managing stress. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing early warning signs to prevent burnout and build resilience.

This conversation is filled with valuable takeaways for anyone looking to enhance their understanding of stress management and personal development.

Welcome to a truly inspiring episode of our podcast, "Staying Focused on the Goal," where we sit down with none other than professional soccer player, Nazeem Bartman. Nazeem's story is nothing short of incredible, taking him from the challenging streets of Bonteheuwel in the Cape Flats to a thriving soccer career in the United States.

In this episode, Nazeem and I dive deep into his extraordinary journey, a path marked by adversity and unwavering determination. Growing up in a household where stable income was a distant dream, Nazeem faced the odds head-on. He shares with us the relentless focus he maintained on the goal of becoming a soccer star, defying the circumstances that would have deterred most.

But the story doesn't end with Nazeem's personal journey. It's also about the incredible role his parents played in nurturing his belief that dreams can come true. It's about the sacrifices he made to chase his aspirations, even when the odds seemed stacked against him.

Moreover, Nazeem Bartman is a trailblazer with a mission. He's not just about personal success; he's dedicated to breaking barriers and paving the way for others. Whether it's in academics or athletics, Nazeem's story is an embodiment of what's possible. He's founded the FBL foundation to prove just that, providing young individuals from the Cape Flats with hope and inspiration. These are young souls who, like Nazeem, might not have had many positive role models they could relate to or aspire to be. Through the FBL foundation, Nazeem is introducing them to stories of success from their own neighborhoods, showing them that their dreams are within reach.

Join us in this incredible journey as Nazeem Bartman's life unfolds before your ears. It's a story of resilience, ambition, and the power of staying focused on the goal. Tune in and let Nazeem's inspiring narrative touch your heart and inspire you to reach for your dreams, regardless of where you come from.

Step into the cage of ambition with EFC Middleweight champion, Luke Michael, on 'Fighting for the Dream'! Join us as we dive deep into Luke's incredible journey from a passion for martial arts to claiming the champion's belt. Discover the grit, determination, and resilience it takes to overcome injuries and setbacks, and how Luke's lessons from the ring translate to success in business. Get ready to redefine your perspective on life-work balance as we explore the challenges faced by high achievers. This episode is a knockout for inspiration and motivation!

*Visit our website for resources on helping you rise to excellence.
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Today I speak to Bob Low, an entrepreneur whose business focuses on lead generation.

Today Bob runs networking events on LinkedIn as well as works with clients across the globe to help them make more sales.

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Today I speak to Roxana Popet, a Transformational Speaker and NLP trainer from Romania.

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This week I speak with Luzuko, a 20 year old wheelchair bound young man who is passionate about eliminating the stigma attached to people with disabilities.

This week I speak with Grant 'Axe' Rawlinson a human-powered explorer who has made over 50 expeditions across the globe including walking across countries, cycling across continents, climbing Mt Everest and crossing sea's completely by human-power.

In this episode, Grant gives us a glimpse into his life and how he prepares for his expeditions. Grant also shares some of his top mental strength tools that helps him push through extremely tough moments on his expeditions. We look at Grant’s earlier life and the events that created the human-powered explorer, Axe.

In addition, Grant reflects on the injury that ended his professional Rugby 7s career but also ended up saving him from a terrorist bombing that claimed the lives of many of his teammates. We look at the importance of grieving and how sometimes the closing of one door is simply the opening of the next. Grant speaks about the importance of resilience, becoming antifragile, and how this has played an important role in his life.

Grant follows three primary rules when it comes to his expeditions and highlights the importance of being risk-fit.

Stay tuned, this is an episode not to be missed.

Today I speak to Adrian Mankopan to find out about his journey and how he is helping others to make better decisions. Adrian had previously been addicted to alcohol and found himself living in a graveyard, hating himself and life. But somewhere along the road something shifted for Adrian, and decided to turn his life around.