In this episode of disrupt. I sit down with Ryan Stramrood, an ultra-extreme open-water and ice swimmer, Guinness World Record holder, peak performance coach, and inspirational speaker. Ryan’s story is nothing short of incredible. From being a regular guy with no formal sports background to breaking world records in some of the planet’s most brutal waters, including swimming a mile in Antarctica at -1°C and being among the first people to swim around Cape Horn. His journey is a masterclass in mental resilience, pushing past comfort zones, and redefining human potential.

🔥 In this episode, we dive into:

🔹How Ryan went from business owner to extreme athlete

🔹 The mental and physical training required to swim in freezing waters

🔹 Overcoming fear, failure, and the limits we place on ourselves

🔹 The life-changing lessons cold water swimming has taught him

🔹 Why comfort zones are the enemy of growth and how to break out of them

🔹 His most brutal and terrifying swims (including one in Siberia!)

🔹 Practical insights into the world of inspirational speaking

If you're looking for motivation to push past your limits, challenge your comfort zone, and rewire your mindset, this is an episode you can't afford to miss.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more disruptive conversations!

📲 Follow Ryan Stramrood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanstramrood/ 

📲 Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/ 

🔔 Turn on notifications so you don’t miss the next episode!

Sleep is something we all do, humans, animals, and even plants. But why do we sleep, and what actually happens in our brains while we're asleep?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Dale Rae, a leading sleep scientist, to explore the fascinating world of sleep, its critical role in memory, immune function, and mental well-being, and what happens when we don’t get enough of it.

We discuss:

🔹 Why sleep is essential for survival

🔹 The different stages of sleep and their functions

🔹 How sleep affects learning, memory, and emotional processing

🔹 The impact of sleep deprivation on the brain and body

🔹 The role of circadian rhythms and how light influences sleep

🔹 Sleep disorders like insomnia and why women suffer more than men 

🔹 Practical tips to improve your sleep quality

If you’ve ever struggled with sleep, wondered why you wake up tired or just want to optimize your health and performance, this conversation is for you.

Follow: Dr Dale Rae https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-rae-00648849/

Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/

📌 Subscribe for more conversations with disruptors and thought leaders.

In this episode of disrupt. I sit down with Jasper Eales, designer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Sealand, a globally recognized sustainable brand that’s redefining how we think about materials, design, and conscious business. Jasper’s journey is anything but ordinary.

At just 23, he faced a life-threatening liver transplant, a moment that reshaped his perspective on life, creativity, and entrepreneurship. 

That experience, combined with his deep connection to nature, led him to build a company that upcycles waste into high-quality, purpose-driven products. Today, Sealand is a leader in sustainable innovation, but behind the success is a story of resilience, problem-solving, and unconventional thinking.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

🔷 How a medical waste epiphany sparked Sealand’s sustainability mission

🔷 The real challenges of starting a sustainable brand

🔷 Why mindset, resilience, and adaptability are the keys to lasting success

🔷 How Sealand adapted through COVID and global expansion

🔷 The untold struggles of running an eco-conscious business in a profit-driven world 🌍

This is more than a business story—it’s a deep dive into entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the power of perspective.

Follow Sealand: https://www.instagram.com/sealandgear/

Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more incredible stories from successful entrepreneurs, don't forget to subscribe to this channel!

By subscribing, you'll be the first to know when I drop new episodes. Plus, it helps this channel grow, allowing me to bring you even more valuable content.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Phumi Körber, the visionary founder behind WISI-Oi, South Africa’s first video-based resell fashion app.

Phumi shares her incredible journey from growing up in Soweto to launching a groundbreaking platform that’s changing the way we think about fashion. We dive deep into her entrepreneurial story, exploring how she built a successful app with limited resources, attracted investors, and the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone to achieve true growth.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or just love a good success story, this conversation is packed with valuable insights and inspiration.

Follow WISI-OI: https://www.instagram.com/wisi_oi/

Follow Me: https://beacons.ai/koabrowne

If you enjoyed listening to this episode and want to hear more incredible stories from successful entrepreneurs, don't forget to subscribe to this channel!

By subscribing, you'll be the first to know when I drop new episodes. Plus, it helps this channel grow, allowing me to bring you even more valuable content.

In this episode of disrupt. I sit down with Peter Daniel, co-founder of Soaring Free Superfoods, to explore his remarkable journey from discovering the raw food movement to building a thriving superfood business with his wife Beryn.

Peter shares how their journey began by educating people through nutrition workshops and selling healthy foods at festivals. 

They faced early challenges like contaminated shipments and the complexities of sourcing high-quality ingredients from around the globe. Peter delves into the benefits of raw food and how personal development significantly boosted his confidence and business acumen. 

Learn how the pandemic forced Soaring Free Superfoods to pivot to a new product range, which now accounts for over 50% of their business. 

Peter also discusses the crucial role of mentorship in his entrepreneurial journey, the importance of delegating responsibilities and creating a balanced work environment for employees.

• Follow Soaring Free Superfoods:

https://www.instagram.com/soaringfreesuperfoods/

• Follow Me:

https://beacons.ai/koabrowne

If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more incredible stories from successful entrepreneurs, don't forget to give this podcast a review on your app.

In this episode of disrupt. we learn about the inspiring story of Felix Norton, a true serial entrepreneur and co-founder of WOWW Digital. Discover how Felix transitioned from freelancing as a web designer to leading a successful million-dollar digital marketing agency with over 30 employees. 

We begin by exploring Felix’s upbringing and the influences that shaped his entrepreneurial spirit. He shares the story of how he started his company from scratch, detailing the challenges and triumphs along the way. We also discuss the significant impact COVID-19 had on his business and how he navigated through the crisis to emerge stronger.

Felix also opens up about the strategies he used to scale his business, the importance of establishing a strong company culture, and how he maintains it. He provides valuable insights into marketing strategies that have proven successful in the digital landscape and shares general industry insights that every aspiring entrepreneur should know.

Moreover, we talk about the importance of mental health for entrepreneurs and how finding a strong work/life balance is crucial for well-being in the high-pressure world of business.

Follow Felix:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/felixwnorton/

Follow Me:

https://beacons.ai/koabrowne

In this episode of disrupt. I had the pleasure of chatting with Nick Coetzee, who transitioned from a biokineticist to a successful e-commerce entrepreneur.

Nick shares how his desire to avoid trading hours for money and to financially free himself and his parents led him to start his own health-focused e-commerce brand.

Nick takes us through his journey from bootstrapping with dropshipping to creating and manufacturing high-quality products. He explains how optimizing the customer journey and mastering Google ads helped him dominate the red light therapy market in the U.S.

We also explore his resilience and adaptability during challenges like COVID-19, including strategic decisions like moving warehousing to the U.S. to better serve customers. Nick's application of stoic principles, such as focusing on what he can control and practicing Memento Mori, provides valuable insights on managing stress and maintaining a balanced life.

Throughout the conversation, Nick offers actionable advice on how to achieve e-commerce success, sharing his strategies and tips for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Follow Nick Coetzee:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_nickcoetzee/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_nickcoetzee

Follow Me:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koabrowne/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/koabrowne/

Thank you for listening! If this episode inspired or taught you something, it’s just the beginning. My goal is to provide you with top-quality, free access to knowledge that transforms your view of entrepreneurship & life. Stay tuned!

In this podcast, I sit down with Dean, the visionary co-founder of DUNK, a company that's transforming the way we experience cold therapy. Dean's entrepreneurial journey began with a simple idea that came to him while lying in bed. Together with his co-founder Roelof, they launched one of South Africa's first cold plunge companies. Dean shares the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, shedding light on the exhilarating and emotionally challenging aspects of building a business from the ground up. This conversation dives deep into the grit and determination it takes to succeed as a founder, offering valuable insights and inspiration for anyone on their own entrepreneurial path. Don't miss this inspiring story of innovation and perseverance!

Follow Dean:

 / deano1robinson  

Follow Me: 

 / koabrowne