Going Mental with Nic Venter

Eduan Viljoen is a friend and Colleague. He recently completed the Munga Mountain Bike Race, known as the toughest race on Earth. In this episode we discuss mental toughness, being extreme, his experience in the Munga and our future plans.

Dr Kobus Neethling is a world leader in Creativity, Innovation and Thinking. His resume, according to the Famous Faces Website, is as follows:

• President of the South African Creativity Foundation
• Holds six degrees including two Masters, a Doctorate and Post Doctorate (cum laude) in the identification and development of creative behaviour (Universities of Cape Town, Northwest and Georgia-USA)
• Has written more than 90 books and 9 TV series including a number of international bestsellers (Including ‘Creativity uncovered’; ‘Very smart parents’; ‘Taking you beyond’; ‘Love, sex and the brain’; ‘Creative rugby’ and the new version of ‘Am I clever or am I stupid’ which has sold more than 200 000 copies)
• Is a Guinness World Record Holder: co-author of “Making the Impossible possible”: the book of more than 100 pages written in the fastest time ever (four and a half minutes)
• Has received 10 International Who’s Who Awards
• Was named one of 2000 outstanding Scholars of the 20th century and received ‘The International Who’s Who of Intellectuals’ Award

In the USA:

• Received the first International Creative Genius Award from the International Genius Academy (USA)
• Developed the largest battery of Whole Brain Instruments in the world (used in more than 40 countries) including the acclaimed 8-Dimension Brain Model
• Received International Silver Screen Award
• Has worked with national and international sports teams since 1993
• Is a Member of the International Innovation Alliance – a group of 7 innovators from five continents
• Works with major corporations, national sporting teams, and education groups from all over the world
• Co-developer of the hit TV show “Out of the Box”; winner of a ‘US International Film and Video Festival Silver Screen Award.
• Recipient of the Excellence in Innovation Award – one of the most prestigious innovation awards in Asia.
• Invited as a co-author to contribute to the trendsetting book on 21st-century innovation “The future of innovation”, coining the phrase. “Innovation of the mind without innovating the heart is no innovation at all”
• Gave the opening keynote at the European Creativity and Innovation Conference (ECCI) in Belgium; acknowledged as one of the most prestigious keynote platforms in the world
• ‘Innovation reward recipient’ (the most prestigious innovation expert group in the world).
• Dr. Kobus Neethling is one of the top 3 speakers in the world on the topics of creativity and innovation” – as quoted in the programme of the 12th European Conference on Creativity and innovation
• Recipient of the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship Award (Rotary International – previous recipients include Miriam Makeba and Nelson Mandela)
• Forbes recommended the Neethling Brain Instruments as one of the best assessment tools in the world (2018)
• Dr. Kobus Neethling was the first recipient of the Paul Torrance life-time creativity award: one of the most prestigious creativity awards in the world

Pieter du Preez, or also known as SUPAPIET is a quadriplegic athlete. He has a phenomenal list of achievements and records that are unheard of and is arguably the most accomplished athlete to ever come out of South Africa. Along with competing at the Paralympics, he has won the UCI world championships for his class, he has completed many triathlons and ironman competitions, the only quadriplegic to ever do it, and do it along able body athletes. He has won the Berlin marathon a record number 7 times and and set the world record for the 10 000m in wheelchair racing. Possibly his greatest achievement is when he completed an 8km swim around Robben Island, gain the only quadriplegic athlete to ever do it. This was a truly mind blowing episode and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Tom is a performance coach and leadership expert. He has worked in leadership and performance for over 10 years. He has worked extensively in the business and sporting worlds enabling effective behaviours, growing leadership and helping teams become high-performing entities. Tom is currently part of the coaching team at the Stormers and has also recently worked with Melbourne Rebels, Sharks Rugby, Ajax Cape Town and is the head coach at UCT Ikeys rugby. Enjoy the show!

Sound Credit: BenSounds

Rowan is the South African and IBO African Champion in the Super Middleweight division. He has an unbeaten professional record of 12-0 with 8 Knockouts. I specifically wanted to chat to Rowan as growing up I knew him as a naughty friend with little direction. Rowan has shown myself and the world how wrong we were about him and is setting the boxing world alight! his next fight is to defend his belts on December 12th. Be sure to catch it on Supersport! Enjoy the show

Chris Dry is a professional rugby and Springbok 7s player. He has formed part of the Blitsbokke team that has won a number of world series titles, and has played in more than 70 world series tournaments. In this episode Chris gives us some great insights into the world of 7s, the secrets behind the success of the Blitsbokke and how they incorporate mental techniques into their system. Enjoy the Show!

Jimmy Ramokgopa is a Political Commentator and founder of the Politricks SA brand and podcast. He has built up a strong following on social media, with a keen mind for current affairs in our country.  I had a great time chatting to Jimmy on many current issues and how to move the country forward as part of South Africa's Youth. Enjoy!  You can find Jimmy on instagram or twitter @jimmyramokgopa

Ryan McLaren is a former Proteas all rounder. He played 54 ODIs, 12 T20Is and 2 Tests for South Africa. He has also represented the Knights, Kent and Middelsex in first class cricket, and the Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Enjoy the show!

Dr Manga is an Integrative Medicine Practitioner and author. She is an expert in healing, consciousness and breathwork. Her book, Breathe, strategising energy in the age of burnout, is available in hard copy or as an audiobook on Audible. She is also the founder of Breathwork Africa, an organisation sharing the art of conscious breathing throughout Africa. I had a great time discussing burnout, the pandemic, breathing and more with Dr Ela. Enjoy!  

You can find her at:

www.drelamanga.com

Instagram @elamanga 

Her Practice at the Sanctuary, Houghton Estate.

Wessel is the head rugby coach at Grey College, Bloemfontein. He has coached the First team to 2 unbeaten seasons in 2018 and 2019 and is widely regarded as the best school rugby coach in the country. Wessel has since been personally headhunted by Jake White to be the head of junior rugby at the Blue Bulls from 2021.   Wessel has coached the likes of Jan Serfontein, Johan Goosen, Paul Jordaan, Rikus Pretorius and many more. Enjoy!

Mr Johan Volsteedt, better known as 'Vollies' is the former headmaster of Grey College. For more than 50 years he has served as a mentor, teacher, friend and leader for thousands of young men and women. Mr Vollies is known as one of the most influential people in the country, and led the prestigious school with immense success through some of the country's most turbulent times. This interview was an honour to do and a profound and humbling experience.  

If any old Grey or company would like to get involved to help us develop our 5-part series with mr Volsteedt on his story and the history of Grey college, please contact us on info@equipgroup.org or Nic Venter on Facebook.

Johnny Rourke is the Strength and Conditioning Coach at cheetahs Rugby. He is also the defence coach for the U21 and Supersport Challenge teams. He has been a mentor and massive influence in my life and it was an absolute pleasure chatting to him. Enjoy!

I've Started a new series called "Young South Africans"in which we put the spotlight on young leaders in our country. Wandile Makwetu is a very exciting prospect in South African Cricket. He captains the Knights Cricket team and has also captained the Proteas u19 team. He recently won the CSA award for newcomer of the year. i had a great time with Wandile, Enjoy the show.

Claudia is a biokineticist, intuitive healer and member of the Synergy Holistix team. In this episode we discuss rehab, prehab and injuries. We also get into conscious awareness and the importance of the mind-body connection. Claudia is one of the best on the business and I had great fun talking to her. Enjoy! 

www.claudiabiokinetics.co.za 

@claudia_dos_santos_biokinetics  

Support local! If you're getting married having a party or corporate event, ONE031 boasts a range of services to ensure your next event is epic! They've got you covered whether it's music, DJ or photography services you need. 

check them out at: www.ONE031.com 

@ONE031 on Facebook or Youtube 

@ONE_031 on Instagram

Dr Jonathan Moch is a psychiatrist, teacher, mentor and holistic healer. His current work is based on a self-developed system, taking people from ordinary to extraordinary (F.O.T.E.O). In this approach he leads people into living a purpose driven life by radically expanding their awareness. The wisdom shared in this episode is profound and life changing, hold on to your seats! You can reach Dr Moch via his website at www.myirth.org or by emailing him on jonathandmoch@gmail.com.  Dr Moch recommends the following books: 

1. 7 habits of highly effective people - Steven Covey 

2. Principles - Ray Dalio 

3. The Choice - Edith Eger 

4. Man's Search for meaning - Viktor Frankl

Samkelo is a paralympian athlete, attorney and TV personality. After losing both his hands at the age of 9 he has managed to achieve some amazing things. I had a great time chatting to Samkelo and listening to his profound life story. Enjoy the show!  

Brought to you by Equip Sports and Wellness - Education. Performance. EQ

 www.equipgroup.org 

info@equipgroup.org

Chiliboy is a professional rugby player who has played for the Bulls, Sharks, Toulouse and the Springboks. In 2006 he made history when he became the first black player to captain the Springboks. In this episode we dig into his career, the pressures of international rugby, transformation, his recent doping case and more. Enjoy!

Jason Smith is a 7-time South African CrossFit champion, making him the fittest man in South Africa. in 2017 he placed 10th at the world CrossFit Games, which earned him the title of the tenth fittest man on  Earth. Jason has managed to achieve all this while running a couple of businesses, CrossFit gyms and has a family with 3 children. I admire Jason's internal drive and ability to do so much and do it so well. In this episode we cover the stigma's of CrossFit, mental toughness and resilience, what it takes to be successful and get some insights into the CrossFit world. We had some audio issues with this episode but managed to get in enough of a great conversation. 

You can train with Jason by following @getsmithfit or on his website at https://smith.fit. You can also follow his personal page @j_smithsa. Enjoy!

Trevor and Daniella Lagerwey have taken the health and fitness world by storm. They run their own fitness and health companies under their own personal brand and have changed the lives of thousands of South Africans. They make an amazing team, as Daniella is a qualified expert in nutrition while Trevor focuses on the physical and mental side of fitness and performance. Trevor has also been on the MensHealth cover more than 20 times. They are seriously real and vulnerable in this episode which was EPIC to see so I hope you Enjoy! 

@thelagerway 

@healthylivingwithdaniella 

www.thelagerway.com

Dr. Motara is a cardiologist and functional medicine practitioner. He is also the CEO of BrandMed Group, an innovative health solutions and medical technology group. In this episode Doc Motara shares his incredible knowledge and wisdom with regard to health, chronic disease, mental health, lifestyle choices, diet and nutrition, Covid-19 and being a better human. This episode has been one of my favourites, Enjoy!

Dricus du Plessis is the EFC middleweight and welterweight champion. He has also held the welterweight belt in KSW, the largest promotion in Europe, and has since been offered a UFC contract. I had a great time chatting to Dricus as the conversation flowed from the mental side of fighting to his parents and upbringing. He is extremely honest in this episode as he reflects on his career, his motivations and his future. Enjoy!

Alex Shahim is an athlete manager, player agent, mentor and businessman. He is the founder of Revolve Talent sports management company and is currently the manager and agent for Oupa Manyisa, Wayne Sandilands, Wandile Makwetu, Bryce Parsons and many more top athletes. In this episode we explore the life of an athlete from a different perspective, the world of sport agents and the player market and his role in helping athletes become the best version of themselves. Enjoy!

Wayde van Niekerk is the world record holder in both the 400m sprint and the 300m sprint. He is also the first person in history to run the 100m under 10 seconds, the 200m under 20 seconds, the 300m under 31 seconds and the 400m under 44 seconds. His next goal is to be the first person ever to break the 43 second mark in the 400m. Wayde is on instagram @waydedreamer.

Kim Sammaritano is an expert in the psychology of eating. She has a PhD in Metaphysics and is one of the highest qualified alternative healing practitioners in the country. Kim is also trained in cranialSacral therapy, reflexology and live blood analysis. We start this episode off with an analysis of my blood and get into tons of fascinating concepts. You can find Kim as part of the Synergy Holistix team or on Instagram and Facebook. 

Kim recommends the following books for all looking to start a journey of healing:

1: The Surrender Experiment - Michael Singer

2: The Untethered Soul - Michael Singer

3: Rising Strong as a Spiritual Practice - Brene Brown

Doc Wayne is a chiropractor, intuitive healer and mentor. He is a true master of his craft and one of the best healers I have ever come across. Doc Wayne is also the founder of Synergy Holistix, a state of the art health and wellness centre in Johannesburg. In this episode we discuss alternative healing, functional medicine, sports injuries, surgery and rehab and more. Enjoy!

www.synergyholistix.com @docborowsky

Iain Shippey is a peak performance coach, leadership expert and mentor. He is currently working with the SA national Mens hockey team and spent two world cups with the Springboks as a mentor in 2007 and 2011. In this episode we take a dive into sport psychology as a practice as well as the mental side of professional sport. You can find Iain on Instagram, Facebook or his website at www.thincsport.net. Enjoy!

Andrea Dalle Ave is a a double paralympian athlete and multiple world championships competitor. He had a stroke at birth which caused him to be born with cerebral palsy. In this episode we talk about how he has overcome adversity in life and how he has dealt with the transition from professional sport to normal life. Enjoy!