Shift Happens with Richard Sutton

Tarryn Tomlinson was in her final year of high school when she was diagnosed with aggressive rheumatoid arthritis. 

Her mobility deteriorated rapidly. Within roughly 18 months, she was using a wheelchair, and a future that had once seemed straightforward suddenly looked completely different. 

But Tarryn's story is not simply about living with illness or disability. It is about what happened next. 

In this episode of #ShiftHappens, Richard Sutton speaks to Tarryn about the pain, anger and loss of independence that followed her diagnosis, and the slow process of rebuilding a life around a reality she had never expected. 

They talk about her decision to go to Italy despite having almost no money, the power of allowing yourself to dream beyond your circumstances, and how travel helped her rediscover adventure and independence. 

Tarryn also explains how experiences with inaccessible hotels, buildings and travel turned frustration into purpose, eventually leading her to establish LiveABLE and work in universal access and accessible tourism. 

And then there is Kilimanjaro. 

After initially saying no for two years, Tarryn eventually climbed the mountain in her wheelchair in 2020, reaching Kibo Hut at approximately 4,720 metres. Her experience challenged her own ideas about independence and showed her the importance of having the right people around you. 

A conversation about resilience, identity, purpose, asking for help and the decision to keep building a life when the original plan has changed. 

#ShiftHappens with Richard Sutton explores the moments, decisions and unexpected turns that change the direction of people's lives and careers. 

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Ntsiki Biyela never set out to become a winemaker.

Raised by her grandmother in rural KwaZulu-Natal, wine was not part of her world. After matric, a year working as a domestic worker in Durban was followed by an unexpected opportunity: a scholarship to study viticulture and oenology at Stellenbosch. She had never tasted wine.

That journey would lead to becoming South Africa’s first Black female winemaker, 13 years at Stellekaya Wines and, eventually, the decision to leave employment and build Aslina Wines, named after the grandmother who raised her.

In this episode of #ShiftHappens, Richard Sutton speaks to Ntsiki about the moments that changed the direction of her life, the culture shock of arriving in Stellenbosch, finding her place in an industry she initially knew almost nothing about, and taking the risk of building something of her own.

It is a conversation about opportunity, resilience, identity, leadership and the shifts that can happen when where you start does not determine where you end up.

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Richard Sutton speaks to Adrian Gore, founder and Group Chief Executive of Discovery, about the ideas, decisions and shifts that have shaped more than three decades of building a business.

Gore talks about growing up in a family where questioning what you were told was encouraged, and why going back to first principles became part of how he thinks. He reflects on the uncertainty of starting Discovery in 1992, backing ideas that initially seemed unconventional, and the behavioural science behind the Vitality model. 

The conversation also moves into leadership and what it takes to create environments where people feel safe to fail, take chances and ultimately outgrow the organisation that helped develop them.

Gore talks about his new book, The Four Principles: Multiply Your Impact in Life and Leadership, and the ideas of disciplined optimism, focused urgency, behaviour and agency.

And in a conversation about South Africa, hope and the temptation to focus only on what is going wrong, he explains why a sense of agency can change how people experience difficult circumstances.

Richard and Adrian also explore the things that cannot be recovered once they're lost: time and reputation.  

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Richard Sutton welcomes Chad le Clos back to Shift Happens for a special episode following his historic Commonwealth Games triumph.

When Chad first joined Richard in Season One, he spoke about the ambitions still driving him and the history he wanted to make. Now he returns having done exactly that.

In this special bonus episode, Chad reflects on becoming the most successful swimmer in Commonwealth Games history, achieving a goal he had spoken about months earlier. But what should have been one of the greatest moments of his career became a week of extraordinary contrasts.

As Chad celebrated victory in Scotland, his apartment back home caught fire. His neighbour tragically lost his life.

It forced a profound moment of perspective.

Chad speaks about looking up into the stands and seeing his family, the same people who had backed him from the beginning, sitting in the same pool where his journey had come full circle. He reflects on the sacrifices his parents made, putting everything into his dream, and believing in him before he fully believed in himself.

He also talks about why celebrating the success of others matters, his determination to change the future of South African swimming, and the perspective his parents gave him in the aftermath of the fire.

This is a conversation about achieving history while being reminded of life's fragility. About family, sacrifice, legacy and gratitude.

And about understanding that even in the greatest moments of success, perspective is everything.

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The first Black South African cyclist to compete in the Tour de France. An Olympian. A national champion. A rider who has raced against the very best in the world.

But this is not a story about cycling. It's a story about curiosity.

In this episode, Nicholas Dlamini reflects on growing up in Capricorn Township, where leaving the neighbourhood was a rare occasion and the world felt much smaller than it really was. Cycling wasn't about chasing medals or building a career, it was simply a way to see what lay beyond the boundaries of his community. A bicycle became his passport to places he had only heard about, and curiosity became the force that changed his life.

Richard and Nicholas explore how curiosity shaped every stage of his journey. From discovering Cape Town on a bicycle to competing in the Tour de France, Nicholas shares how embracing the unknown opened doors he never imagined possible.

The conversation also explores the moments that tested him most. Nicholas reflects on the devastating crash that left doctors considering amputating his arm, and the unwavering belief that carried him through one of the darkest periods of his career. He speaks candidly about becoming a father, how it changed the risks he was willing to take, and why perspective becomes more valuable than victory as life evolves.

More than anything, Nicholas reminds us that growth begins the moment we're willing to explore beyond what we know. Whether it's a new road, a new challenge or a new version of ourselves, curiosity is often where transformation begins.

 

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A township kid who started school at the age of ten. A young boy who often felt behind. Someone who didn't quite fit the mould of what people expected.

Today, Sibusiso "Sibu" Sizatu is one of South Africa's most accomplished sailors, competing in some of the world's toughest ocean races and proving that where you start doesn't determine where you can go.

But this is not a story about sailing. It's a story about possibility.

In this episode, Sibu reflects on growing up in a township, entering Grade 1 as a ten-year-old, and the emotional impact of realising he was years behind many of his peers. He shares what it felt like to navigate school, self-doubt and the challenge of finding his place in a world that often seemed to have moved ahead without him.

The conversation explores the unlikely path that led him to sailing, a sport that few people in his community had ever experienced, let alone considered as a career. Sibu recalls hiding his involvement from his father, the confrontation that followed when a sailing bus arrived at his home, and the moment he chose to stand up for the life he wanted to pursue.

Richard and Sibu discuss the power of opportunity, the courage required to step into unfamiliar environments, and the importance of saying yes before you have all the answers. Sibu reflects on how a simple decision to embrace the unknown opened doors he never knew existed and ultimately changed the course of his life.

From standing on international podiums to finding belonging in places he never imagined, Sibu's story is a powerful reminder that extraordinary journeys often begin with a single opportunity and the willingness to take it.

This is a conversation about courage, opportunity and belonging.

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A two-time Rugby World Cup winner. A Stormers icon. A Springbok centurion. One of the most respected loosehead props of his generation. And a player who spent more than a decade at the pinnacle of world rugby.

But this is not a story about winning World Cups.

It's a story about what happens when the thing you've done your entire life is taken away in an instant.

In this episode, Steven Kitshoff reflects on the moment a routine scrum changed everything. What initially felt like a minor injury turned out to be a career-ending neck injury, forcing him to confront a future he had never planned for.

Steven opens up about the emotional reality of having his rugby career cut short, the uncertainty that followed, and the challenge of rebuilding a life beyond the game. He shares how elite sport taught him to search for the extra two percent, to push beyond perceived limits, and why excellence is often found in the smallest margins.

The conversation explores leadership, resilience, adaptation and the lessons learned from being part of one of the most successful teams in sporting history. Steven reflects on the pressure of elite performance, the value of ownership and alignment, and how those lessons continue to shape his approach to business, broadcasting and life after rugby.

Most powerfully, he speaks about something many athletes rarely discuss: grief. Not grief for a person, but grief for a version of yourself. The player, the competitor, the identity that existed for decades and suddenly disappeared. And why, even today, part of him still wishes he was on the other side of the white line.

This is a conversation about grief, purpose and learning to step into the unknown when life doesn't go according to plan.

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One of South Africa's most beloved comedians. A storyteller. A playwright. A theatre icon. The creator of unforgettable characters like Aunty Merle. And a performer who has spent nearly three decades making audiences laugh across South Africa and beyond. But behind the laughter is a story few people know.

In this episode, Marc Lottering reflects on his journey from a pastor's son growing up in Retreat to becoming one of the country's most celebrated entertainers. He shares how the women around his family's kitchen table inspired some of South Africa's most iconic characters, and why storytelling has always been at the heart of his work.

Marc opens up about the years before success, the setbacks that tested him, and the moments he thought might end his career. From being told to stick to advertising instead of comedy, to navigating public mistakes and finding his way through them, he reflects on the experiences that shaped both the performer and the person.

The conversation explores the cost of a life spent making others laugh, the pressure of carrying joy into a divided world, and what happens when the applause fades and the real person steps off stage. Along the way, Marc reflects on love, partnership, imperfection and the lessons he's learned from a lifetime of helping people find laughter.

This is a conversation about humour, acceptance and the power of showing up as yourself.

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A bestselling author. A philanthropist. A businesswoman. A mother. And someone who has spent much of her life navigating adversity, uncertainty and change in the public eye.

But beyond the headlines is a story of survival, healing and extraordinary resilience.

In this episode, Rachel Kolisi opens up about the experiences that shaped her long before the world knew her name. From childhood struggles and feelings of inadequacy, to navigating trauma, anxiety and some of life's darkest moments, she reflects on the beliefs she carried about herself and the journey of learning to rewrite them.

She speaks candidly about the power of family, the role her siblings played in helping her find stability, and how love, support and hope became anchors during times when certainty was nowhere to be found.

This conversation explores what healing really demands, why resilience is something every person possesses, and how growth often comes from learning to hold both the difficult and beautiful parts of your story at the same time. Along the way, Rachel shares what she has learned about boundaries, self-worth, purpose and the ongoing process of becoming.

This is a conversation about healing, hope and choosing to keep moving forward, even when life gives you every reason not to.

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He became one of South Africa’s most recognisable Afrikaans hip-hop artists. A trailblazer who took the language and stories of his community from the streets of Bloemendal to national stages. The first Afrikaans hip-hop artist signed by Universal Music Group. The creator of songs that connected with millions.

But before the success, there were years nobody saw.

In this episode, Early B reflects on the long road from a quiet kid in Bloemendal to one of the country's most distinctive voices. He shares the lessons he learned from family, the influence of a mother whose resilience shaped his outlook on life, and the childhood experiences that continue to guide him today.

He speaks candidly about the years spent creating music with whatever equipment he could find, building an audience long before streaming platforms existed, and finding unconventional ways to get his songs into the hands, and phones, of listeners. From distributing tracks via Bluetooth to spending more than a decade perfecting his craft, his journey is a reminder that overnight success rarely happens overnight.

This conversation explores what it means to evolve without losing yourself, how success changes the way the world sees you, and why staying connected to where you come from remains one of his greatest priorities. Along the way, Early B opens up about faith, family, community and the people who believed in him before anyone else did.

This is a conversation about perseverance, identity, growth and the courage to keep becoming who you're meant to be.

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