Today, I’m sitting down with Issa Lopez — a visionary entrepreneur whose journey stretches across continents. From growing up in Spain, to finding his path in Cape Town, Issa has built a career that blends creativity, commerce, and global perspective.

This episode dives deep into his story — from breaking into fashion and retail, to pivoting into procurement and product development, to uncovering the realities of dropshipping and e-commerce from a South African lens.

Together, we’ll explore what it really takes to build across borders: the lessons, the setbacks, the mindset, and the power of connections that open doors along the way.

So, if you’ve ever wondered how to build a brand that travels, create products that scale, and navigate global commerce while staying true to your roots — this conversation with Issa Lopez is one you don’t want to miss.

There’s a moment every entrepreneur faces —

Not when things are going well.

Not when the money’s flowing.

But when the runway is short...

and the bank balance can’t cover the dream anymore.

It’s called the dry season.

And most people pretend it’s not coming.

In this episode, I sat down with Anru — a financial strategist who doesn’t just talk numbers. He talks about how to survive when the money stops…

Why most of us have the wrong idea about capital…

And how building a financial portfolio is the difference between surviving and creating a legacy.

If you’ve ever said, ‘I can’t start because I don’t have money’ — this conversation will change the way you see wealth, risk, and your next move.

What if the person saving lives is also quietly pushing the limits of his own?

Tom Raynham is a medical student. But he’s not just learning how to treat the body—he’s been testing his own, training for his first marathon while navigating one of the most brutal academic programs in the world.

In today’s episode, we dive into the mental endurance behind medicine, why getting paid by the hour might be a trap, and Tom’s unfiltered take on the Enhanced Games—where human limits are challenged by science, ethics, and ego.

This conversation isn’t about motivation—it’s about the moments you break, and what you find on the other side.

Welcome to a story of ambition, pressure, and performance. This is not just another episode. This is a wake-up call.

Every now and then, I sit across someone who’s not just building a business… but rewriting the rules of an entire industry. Germain is one of those people.

At a time when African SMEs are still underserved, underbanked, and often invisible to traditional financial systems, he made a decision most wouldn’t dare: to build a neobank… for the overlooked.

In this conversation, Germain shares the truth behind building Zazu — a fintech platform designed to give African entrepreneurs the financial infrastructure they’ve been denied for decades. He opens up about failure, the mental toll of startup life, what no one tells you about raising capital, and why simplicity, not complexity, is the future of banking on the continent.

This isn’t a conversation about hype. It’s about hardship. About vision. About how one founder is putting African SMEs on the financial map — one transaction at a time.

This is Germain. And this is The Ambition Diaries.

What does it really mean to raise a man?

Not just a rugby player. Not just a student. But a man — grounded, resilient, and ready for the world when the applause fades and the stadium lights go out.

In today’s conversation, I sat down with Wesley Chetty — a man who doesn’t just coach boys… he builds men. An Old Boy of Bishops and a mentor to some of South Africa’s finest rugby talent, Wesley’s influence reaches far beyond the pitch. Many of his players have gone on to wear the green and gold, but this episode isn’t about the game. It’s about everything that happens off it.

We talk about the quiet lessons that build character. The moments no one sees. The conversations that echo years later. Fatherhood. Mentorship. Masculinity. Legacy.

This is a raw and powerful exploration of what it means to truly raise men in a world that often forgets how.

This is Wesley Chetty.

This is Raising Men.

There are people who build businesses. And then, there are people who build empires — by first conquering the invisible battles we all fight in silence.

Gal Ezra is one of those people.

From running international music festivals and luxury hotels, to managing finance companies and real estate portfolios — by the age of 19, Gal was already creating businesses most people only dream of.

But what sets him apart isn’t just the scale of his success — it’s his philosophy. Gal believes communication is everything. Not just in sales or leadership — but in life. That communication out brings communication in — and the quality of our lives is determined by how deeply we understand ourselves and others.

In this episode, we dive into what truly drives success — beyond the metrics, beyond the money. We talk about ego, focus, discipline, self-awareness, and how to lead people without losing your soul.

Gal doesn’t just give business advice — he gives life frameworks that can change the way you think forever.

This is a conversation for anyone who’s chasing more than just profit — for those who are chasing legacy.

My name is Tommy Jones.

And this… is The Ambition Diaries

There’s something about pain that most people run from — but today’s guest, Calvin, runs through it. Literally.

He’s a qualified personal trainer, a competitive long-distance runner, and a man whose life revolves around a level of discipline most people only read about.

But behind the physical endurance is a deeper story — one about commitment, the war between consistency and comfort, and how running became more than just a sport… it became a blueprint for life.

In this episode, we dive into the lessons Calvin’s learned on the road — and how those same principles apply to entrepreneurship, building a brand, and becoming the best version of yourself.

This conversation isn’t about running. It’s about becoming. Let’s get into it.

Success isn’t just about hustle—it’s about health, energy, and longevity. In this episode, we sit down with Armand, a top personal trainer at Virgin Active Claremont, to explore how fitness, nutrition, and sleep play a critical role in an entrepreneur’s journey. We dive into the biggest fitness mistakes busy professionals make, simple strategies to stay in shape without sacrificing work, and how better health leads to sharper focus, higher productivity, and long-term success. If you’ve ever felt like you’re too busy to work out or struggle with energy crashes, this episode is for you. Let’s unlock the Fit Founder mindset!

Welcome back to The Ambition Diaries, the podcast where we document the journey of entrepreneurship and uncover the keys to success from the best in the game. I’m your host, Tommy Bompeti Jones, and today we’re diving deep into the mindset and strategies that drive true business success.

Our guest is Grant Sherwood—a business growth expert and a facilitator of the Demartini Method, a powerful tool that helps entrepreneurs break through mental barriers and reach their highest potential. In this episode, we’re unpacking what separates thriving businesses from struggling ones, how to overcome self-doubt, and the mindset shifts that can unlock massive growth.

If you’re an entrepreneur looking to level up, this conversation is a goldmine. Get ready to take notes—let’s get into it!

Welcome to The Ambition Diaries, the podcast where we dive deep into the mindset, strategies, and lessons that shape successful entrepreneurs. I’m your host, Tommy Bompeti Jones, and today we’re tackling a topic that’s crucial for anyone looking to level up—financial literacy.

Money isn’t just about earning; it’s about managing, growing, and making it work for you. And to break it all down, I’m joined by none other than Ria [Last Name], a financial expert who has helped countless people take control of their finances and build long-term wealth.

In this episode, we’ll be covering everything from budgeting and saving to investing and financial freedom. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a young professional, or just someone looking to improve their money game, this conversation is for you.

So, get ready to take notes because this episode is packed with game-changing insights that can set you up for a lifetime of financial success. Let’s get into it!