Through the Fog

In this conversation, Matt shares his journey from a young surfer to a big wave surfer, discussing the challenges and fears he faces in the water. He emphasizes the importance of preparation, visualization, and self-talk in managing fear. Matt also highlights the role of faith and family support in his life, illustrating how these elements contribute to his success as a surfer. Through personal stories, he conveys valuable lessons about resilience, courage, and finding purpose in the face of adversity. In this conversation, Pierre du Plessis and Matt discuss the significance of preparation in overcoming fear, the power of visualization in training for big wave surfing, and the importance of courage and trust in taking leaps of faith. They explore how embracing chaos can lead to personal growth, the role of curiosity in relationships, and the challenges of building rapport with teenagers. Matt shares valuable lessons from fatherhood and his aspirations in surfing, while also providing practical tips for beginners.

Chapters

00:00 Cold Water Adventures and Surfing with Family

03:01 The Journey to Big Wave Surfing

06:02 Understanding Big Waves and Their Dangers

09:01 From Childhood to Big Wave Surfer

12:03 Facing Fear and Building a Toolbox

14:49 Mindset and Self-Talk in Surfing

17:59 Faith and Purpose in Big Wave Surfing

21:01 The Night Before Jaws: A Personal Story

23:46 Balancing Family Life and Surfing

29:48 Training and Preparation for Big Waves

33:10 Lessons for Life: Riding the Waves of Opportunity

40:12 The Importance of Preparation in Facing Fear

43:37 Visualizing Success: Training for Big Waves

45:01 Courage and the Leap of Faith

49:21 The Role of Trust in Bravery

50:49 Embracing Chaos for Growth

52:34 Curiosity and Control in Relationships

56:00 Building Rapport with Teens

60:58 Lessons from Fatherhood and Role Models

64:03 Future Aspirations in Surfing

66:11 Surfing Tips for Beginners

Links & Resources

Matt Bromley

Website:

https://www.mattbromleysurf.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mattbromleysurf/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@mattbromleysurf

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mattbromleysurf

Lekker Network:

https://lekker.network/

Huberman Lab — Deliberate Cold Exposure for Health and Performance:

https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/using-deliberate-cold-exposure-for-health-and-performance

Alex Honnold:

https://www.alexhonnold.com/

Søren Kierkegaard — Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy:

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/kierkegaard/

Gabor Maté — Compassionate Inquiry:

https://drgabormate.com/compassionate-inquiry/

Compassionate Inquiry:

https://compassionateinquiry.com/en/

Cape Town surfing / Dungeons:

https://www.capetown.travel/top-surf-spots-in-cape-town/

Table Mountain National Park — water sports and surfing:

https://www.sanparks.org/parks/table-mountain/what-to-do/activities/water-sports

Andrew Smith joins Pierre du Plessis for a deeply personal conversation about his debut memoir, Handwritten, and the long arc of building Yuppiechef from a lounge in Cape Town into one of South Africa’s best-loved retail brands. Andrew explains how 20 years of journals became the raw material for the book, why he chose to self-publish, and how the writing process became its own form of healing and reflection. They also explore the tension between public success and private struggle, the emotional cost of leadership, the role of family, and what changed after the sale of Yuppiechef. This is part founder story, part memoir, and part honest look at what it means to keep going when the outside world only sees the polished version.

Timestamps

(00:00) Why Andrew Smith returned for a second episode

(01:23) Turning 20 years of journals into Handwritten

(05:52) Choosing a chronological structure

(10:56) How AI helped with editing

(14:14) The “privileged whining” review

(18:19) Writing as healing

(22:13) Why Andrew self-published

(31:14) Emotional truth versus literal truth

(35:33) Should leaders hide fear from teams?

(41:12) The cost of entrepreneurial risk at home

(54:54) The handwritten card system

(63:56) From e-commerce to brick-and-mortar

(69:20) Life after the Mr Price sale

(76:39) Identity after Yuppiechef

(85:39) What Brave Hardy will not repeat

PJ Claasen, leadership coach and author of The Bok Way, reveals the methods that built the culture behind the Springboks' remarkable success and how any organisation can apply them. Drawing on interviews with players, coaches, and key strategists, he explores how trust, shared purpose, accountability, and continuous self-improvement create teams that consistently perform under pressure.

In this conversation, we unpack the deliberate culture behind the Springboks. From brutal honesty and clear standards to powerful shared narratives and personal responsibility, PJ shows how culture is built by design, not by chance.

Whether you're a founder, CEO, HR leader, or team builder, this episode offers practical insights into creating a high-performance environment built on trust, resilience, and purpose. If you want to build a team that executes exceptionally while adapting to change, this conversation is for you.

#Springboks, #team #culture, #leadership, #trust, #purpose, #rugby, #businessculture, #mentalmodels, #transformation

Sound bites:

"Brutal transparency builds trust"

"Share the responsibility, share the success"

"Create a culture of growth and continuous learning"

Chapters

00:00 Walking Together: The Importance of Presence

04:48 Understanding PJ: A Journey into Psychology and People

07:38 Creating a Culture of Connection in the Workplace

10:27 The Bok Way: Insights from the Springbok Rugby Team

13:20 The Process of Writing a Book: From Idea to Publication

16:03 The Central Thesis of The Bok Way

18:55 Lessons from the Springboks: Responsibility and Self-Development

21:24 Translating Sports Lessons to Business

24:26 The Meaning Crisis: Work, Purpose, and Action

27:13 Shared Purpose: The Heart of the Springbok Team

29:03 Transforming South African Rugby

31:21 The Power of Representation in Sports

32:42 Finding Purpose in Business

35:05 Aligning Values and Behaviors in Teams

39:02 Building Trust in High-Performance Teams

48:04 Cultivating a Culture of Growth

54:58 The Art of Mistake Management

57:35 Leadership and Responsibility

01:00:40 Building Brotherhood and Team Culture

01:06:07 Tradition vs. Innovation in Rugby

01:13:51 The Writing Journey and Personal Growth

01:20:39 Newsletter Outro.mp4

Resources

The Human Condition, Hannah Arendt - https://www.takealot.com/the-human-condition-second-edition/PLID49453017

The Bok Way by PJ - https://www.takealot.com/the-bok-way/PLID100225695?srsltid=AfmBOorUtWjTBARjOUp-XMay--p-Awc9_cI-FwqhvGmcrrkEXSO3Xb7L

Guest links:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pj-claasen-b9530553/

Website - https://purposeworks.co.za

The Bok Way - https://thebokway.co.za

More about Through the Fog and Pierre on https://thisispierre.co

Join Pierre du Plessis and Nic as they explore sensory seeking, burnout, success, AI's impact on work, and the art of being uniquely you. This episode offers deep insights into personal growth, entrepreneurship, and redefining success in a rapidly changing world. In this engaging conversation, Nic and Pierre explore the evolving landscape of AI, entrepreneurship, and the importance of building authentic, user-centered products. They discuss the shift from traditional creation to leveraging AI tools, the value of doing what you love, and how to navigate the future of technology with a focus on human experience.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Sensory Intelligence

09:31 Navigating Burnout and Identity

15:36 Redefining Success in Entrepreneurship

23:52 The Future of Work and AI's Impact

30:31 Challenging Identity in the Age of AI

31:27 The Concept of Improbable Lives

33:05 Strategy: Being Different in a Competitive World

36:26 Embracing Individuality and Unpredictability

37:55 The Role of AI in Business Efficiency

39:44 Art vs. Efficiency in the Age of AI

42:35 Creating for Yourself vs. Creating for Others

47:27 The Balance of Personal Passion and Market Needs

51:15 Building Apps in the Age of AI

55:20 Flounder Mode: Embracing Multiple Projects

58:57 Building the First Version of Your App

01:00:20 The Shift from Consumption to Creation

01:01:26 AI's Impact on Art and Software

01:03:13 The Value of Human Connection in Creativity

01:04:59 The Evolution of Technology and Its Acceptance

01:08:14 Understanding AI's Role in Creativity

01:10:58 The Nature of Writing and Thinking

01:13:19 The Limitations of AI in Creative Processes

01:16:55 The Misconceptions of AI Intelligence

01:19:42 The Human Element in Writing and Creativity

Resources

Sensory Intelligence: https://sensoryintelligence.com/

Rick Rubin's Creative Habit - https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Habit-Train-Your-Artist/dp/0316252974

Kevin Kelly's Thousand True Fans - https://kk.org/thetechnium/

Kevin Kelly's Flounder Mode - https://kk.org/thetechnium/kelly-flounder-mode/

Rick Rubin's Approach to Music Production - https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/rick-rubin-approach-to-music-122679/

Basecamp Software - https://basecamp.com/

Replit - https://replit.com/

Good Good Weeds App - https://goodgoodweeds.com/

Guest links

Nic Haralambous: https://www.nicharalambous.com/

Nic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-haralambous/

No Bull Ship Academy: https://nobullship.co/

In this season finale of Through the Fog, host Pierre du Plessis dives deep with financial planner, entrepreneur, and thinker Nathan Mersereau. Broadcasting from opposite ends of the globe, Pierre and Nathan explore how our stories around money shape our lives, the pitfalls of measuring success purely through wealth, and the transformative power of introspection.

From soup kitchens to billionaire compounds, Nathan's story challenges listeners to reconsider what it means to be truly wealthy.

Links:

- True Wealth Assessment” and “Money Personality Quiz” https://planningalt.com/quiz-assessment-landing-page

- Book: The Untethered Soul, Michael A. Singer https://amzn.eu/d/eQdrl7Y

- Find Nathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-mersereau-cfp%C2%AE-a984761/

Timestamps:

00:00 - Where do you find yourself today?

01:48 - Tell us a bit about Nathan. Who are you?

04:40 - What is Nathan's craziest idea?

05:34 - What did you want to be when you were growing up?

08:22 - Did you think money was the ultimate marker of success?

10:38 - When did you realise what life is really about?

13:40 - Did you ever feel like money was tainted or wrong?

17:06 - Why do you think people are so obsessed with money?

20:08 - Why is money the marker that we use?

23:12 - When is enough, enough?

29:02 - Have you encountered wealthy people who aren’t lonely?

32:25 - How did you get to that point of seeing wealth differently?

36:34 - How do the habits that create success become imprisoning?

43:35 - What are some practical steps to self-reflect and start a new path?

47:58 - Are those communities you described the wealthiest people on the planet?

50:19 - Is money objectively scarce or abundant?

54:55 - What’s the soup story Miranda told me to ask about?

58:09 - How do you make big life decisions?

01:12:46 - What’s one of the worst decisions you’ve ever made?

01:14:42 - Have you had the chance to speak to your father about that?

01:16:55 - What lies ahead for you?

01:24:09 - What is a quote that you live by?

01:25:47 - Where can people find you online if they want to connect or follow you? “True Wealth Assessment” and “Money Personality Quiz” · Book: The Untethered Soul, Michael A. Singer · Find Nathan

In this episode of Through the Fog, Pierre sits down with Guy Ellis, global entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of the Lekker Network. With over 60 board, advisory, and founder roles, Guy shares a wealth of insight into entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, and the power of helping others. From his roots as a wannabe “Dr. Farmer” to his groundbreaking work at Harvard and across global markets, Guy explores how authentic connection can unlock transformative opportunities. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about patriotism, privilege, purpose, and how South Africans can—and are—changing the world.

Links:

Guy Ellis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-ellis/

Guy's first book is out soon: The Negotiation Code

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and quick banter

01:00 - Meet Guy Ellis: Global entrepreneur & Harvard instructor

02:25 - The origin of a “Dr. Farmer” dream

04:50 - Helping others and early signs of a mission

06:00 - Defining “Expansion through Connection”

07:30 - Is the self-made man a myth?

09:30 - A pivotal moment: reshaping a business from scratch

13:50 - The origin story of the Lekker Network

17:30 - Building intentional, impactful networks

20:50 - The importance of helping without agenda

23:30 - Living abroad but loving South Africa

27:00 - What it means to be South African

30:00 - Fixing South Africa: Right person, right seat

34:00 - South African talent and the Springboks metaphor

36:00 - Challenges in government and business alignment

39:00 - How small business owners can make change

41:00 - What gives Guy hope for the country

44:00 - South Africans abroad: Not traitors, just dispersed impact

46:00 - The uniquely South African spirit of friendliness and resilience

49:00 - The cultural magic of meeting South Africans abroad

51:30 - Emotional connection and nostalgia for home

54:00 - The role of adversity in creating grit and talent

56:00 - Overcoming scarcity mindsets

58:00 - Celebrating informal connections and spontaneous chats

1:00:00 - Picking South Africa’s “one thing” to rally around

1:02:00 - The challenge of focus in national strategy

1:04:00 - Harnessing the power of South Africans globally

1:07:00 - Reclaiming civic agency: citizens should direct the government

1:10:00 - Breaking free from limiting narratives and perceived disloyalty

1:13:00 - Creating the bridge from now to a brighter future

1:16:00 - Humility vs. self-deprecation among South Africans

1:18:00 - Closing thoughts: freedom, connection, and what comes next

In this deeply personal and visionary episode, Pierre speaks with Justinus, a passionate entrepreneur and co-founder of WeThinkCode_, about building a more equitable South Africa. They dive into Justinus’s background, his love for rugby, and the transformative power of access to education and opportunity. From developing world-class coders from underserved communities to launching a bold new initiative inspired by South Africa’s Rugby World Cup victories, Justinus shares a blueprint for national renewal rooted in inclusivity and grit.

Justinus is a serial entrepreneur, having been co-founder at Private Property Holdings and WeThinkCode_ in South Africa, Entabeni Systems and Umgundi Holdings in Canada. He has been in the Entrepreneurs' Organization for 14 years, and has been part of 5 chapters over that period.Today Justinus and his wife are building a business focussed on optimizing for impact not just value. An avid sports fan and traveller he loves visiting live sports events all over the world with his family and spends many hours next to sport fields supporting his two teenage kids.When you meet him, be sure to ask if he enjoys Nando’s.

Links and books:

Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

👉 https://exclusivebooks.co.za/products/9780753560051

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

👉 https://exclusivebooks.co.za/products/9781785040207

Time to Think by Nancy Kline

👉 https://exclusivebooks.co.za/products/9780706377453

The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander & Benjamin Zander

👉 https://www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za/book/art-possibility-practices-leadership-relationship-and-passion/9780142001103

https://wethinkcode.co.za/

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

Timestamps:

[00:01:00] Justinus on Lowveld living and escaping Cape Town winters.

[00:03:44] Pretoria roots, rugby dreams, and school memories.

[00:06:39] The spark for WeThinkCode_: bridging access and building coders.

[00:08:01] From 50,000 applicants to 500 students: creating a scalable tech pipeline.

[00:09:54] Gender parity and diversity in tech education.

[00:10:54] Graduation day: joy, family pride, and life-changing milestones.

[00:12:00] A new mission: Project 95 and the dream of five more World Cup wins.

[00:15:43] Rugby development lessons from Ireland and South Africa’s Eastern Cape.

[00:17:00] Sunday rugby in small towns: discovering forgotten fields and fanatical culture.

[00:20:05] The impact of malnutrition on athletic potential.

[00:24:24] Why “95” is more than a number—it’s a national memory.

[00:26:00] Access vs. outcomes: the quota question and educational inequality.

[00:30:50] Screening for grit and agency at WeThinkCode_.

[00:33:00] Holding standards high while removing financial barriers.

[00:36:44] Why success requires stability over decades—not just talent.

[00:39:12] Comparing school funding models in the US and Canada.

[00:42:00] Recreating high-performing public schools across the nation.

[00:43:29] Why rugby is more than a game: a symbol of belonging and memory.

[00:45:51] Settling in Ontario, Canada: skiing, seasons, and new routines.

[00:46:58] How skiing became a lifelong passion—and the excuse to move abroad.

[00:49:40] Life lessons from the slopes: discomfort, growth, and persistence.

[00:52:00] Teaching kids courage, taking calculated risks, and embracing adventure.

[00:56:00] The rhythm of family life, travel, and the search for balance.

[01:00:00] The link between nostalgia, passion, and purpose.

[01:05:00] Building identity through shared rituals and cultural storytelling.

[01:10:00] Creating community in diaspora—keeping South Africa close while living abroad.

[01:15:00] Future plans: nomadic living, giving back, and staying connected.

[01:20:00] Justinus’s vision for legacy, leadership, and long-term impact.

[01:25:00] Final reflections: leaning into the discomfort and doing the hard things.

In this engaging and thought-provoking episode, Pierre sits down with futurist and economist Bronwyn Williams. Together, they dive deep into what it means to live purposefully in a chaotic world, the future of work in an age of AI, and how to retain agency in a society leaning towards automation and comfort. Bronwyn discusses the value of being a professional outsider, the illusion of goals for the hyper-intelligent, and her unconventional approach to decision-making and success. It’s a conversation that challenges norms and offers rich insights into how we think about work, value, and freedom.

Timestamps:

[00:01:10] – Where are you right now? Bronwyn on the liminal, nomadic millennial state.

00:02:11] – Why goals don’t work for really smart people.

[00:04:34] – A day in Bronwyn’s life: reading, writing, and speaking.

[00:06:30] – How Bronwyn uses AI to aid in the creative process, not replace it.

[00:09:50] – Her mission as a professional observer and outsider.

[00:13:29] – From spy dreams to futurist: Bronwyn’s unconventional career path.

[00:14:52] – Is studying still worthwhile? Bronwyn breaks it down.

[00:18:39] – What gives Bronwyn hope? People who plant trees.

[00:19:34] – What makes her angry? The myth of no agency.

[00:25:49] – Why we can’t have liberty, equality, and fraternity all at once.

[00:32:53] – How Bronwyn makes decisions and navigates life.

[00:37:35] – Embracing unemployability and escaping the “soggy middle”.

[00:41:55] – The delusion of value in middle-class salary jobs.

[00:44:00] – The psychological impact of overpaid roles and perceived entitlement.

[00:46:15] – Technological progress and the risk to the squishy middle.

[00:48:45] – How Bronwyn defines value and agency in a world of automation.

[00:50:20] – Why most people crave direction over freedom.

[00:53:00] – The outsider’s role in leadership, foresight, and change.

[00:56:15] – The myth of the benign dictator and the desire to escape responsibility.

[00:59:00] – What Jesus, Voltaire, and Mary Poppins have in common with futurists.

[01:01:30] – Final thoughts on belief, free will, and the agency to shape the future.

LINKS

More about Pierre: https://thisispierre.co

Find Bronwyn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bronwynwilliams/

More about Bronwyn's work: https://fluxtrends.co.za

Get her latest book: Survive the AI Apocalypse: https://www.takealot.com/survive-the-ai-apocalypse/PLID98648877

In this episode of Through the Fog, we sit down with Flip van der Merwe, former Springbok rugby player turned French-resident strategist. Flip shares his remarkable journey from growing up on a farm in the Kalahari, to playing international rugby, to raising a bilingual family abroad. We explore the interplay between tradition and modernity, the challenges of choosing where to raise children, the search for meaning beyond sport, and how language, faith, and culture weave into identity.

00:00 Introduction and Background

08:27 Navigating Language and Cultural Identity

19:02 Religion and Family Traditions

27:03 Childhood Dreams and Rugby Journey

32:54 Blessings and Curses of Talent

38:36 Education and Career Pathways

45:44 The Impact of Choices on Identity

54:40 Legacy and Masculinity in Modern Society

01:00:52 Legacy and Lessons from the Past

01:07:01 Navigating Difficult Conversations

01:13:05 Finding Joy in Parenthood and Fitness

01:19:34 Future Aspirations and Impact

In this episode of Through the Fog, I sit down with Sarah Rice, an organizational culture strategist and coach who has spent over two decades helping founders and leaders navigate the complex, often contradictory expectations of modern leadership.

We explore the hidden pressures on entrepreneurs to become both “priests and parents” to their teams, how culture shapes behavior, and the power of being honest about your motives, even if they’re not pretty.

Sarah also shares her personal journey through recovery, the lessons she’s learned about over identification with work, and why embodied leadership matters more than ever. This candid, warm, and occasionally irreverent conversation is a must-listen for anyone steering a business, and themselves, through uncertainty.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Transitions and Personal Growth

02:57 The Venn Diagram of Identity

05:41 The Role of Business in Community

08:47 Mental Health and Leadership Responsibilities

11:51 The Pressure on Leaders

14:31 Learning from Other Organizational Structures

17:40 The Importance of Values in Business

20:44 Defining Authentic Values

23:33 The Role of Storytelling in Values

26:29 The Complexity of Truth and Oversharing

29:26 The Importance of Community and Relationships

32:20 Lessons from Personal Connections

35:10 Embracing Uncertainty and Surrendering Control

42:42 The Role of Spirituality in the Workplace

49:42 Decision-Making and Intuition

01:00:50 The Power of the 12-Step Program

01:05:14 Navigating Paradox and Duality

01:09:07 Future Aspirations and Coaching Goals

Find Sarah here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahelizabethrice/

More about me and the show here: https://thisispierre.co/podcast