Xpect Performance

Have you achieved your goals for 2023?  Did you set goals for 2023?  If you're one of the 19% of people that a research study proved to achieve their goals, congratulations. If you're one of the approximately 50% of people whose goals went out the window in the first 6 months of the year, you may find this episode helpful!  As we look to 2024, I want us all to have the best possible chance of reac...

Performing when it matters charts the path to success in an exponential time frame. You'd be hard-pressed to find competing under higher stakes than in mixed martial arts. There is no escape. One thing is for certain, your preparation is going to be highlighted.  It is your preparation, that will largely dictate in how good a physical condition, you will walk away in. Professional EFC fighter, Jes...

Boxing is one of the most misunderstood sports. Boxing is also back on the rise! In this episode, professional boxer Tyrone Schaper dispels any stigmas that surround the sport of boxing.  Calling on his personal experience, Tyrone outlays the significant difference boxing has made in teaching him the skills and discipline necessary to harness emotion.  As someone who didn't understand the world of...

Since 1998, Surfers Not Street Children have used surfing on Durban's beaches as a medium for creating opportunities for the less fortunate.  It is yet another example of good people, finding creative and sustainable ways to serve and uplift. It is crucial that we continue to find ways of providing equality of opportunity to all.  SNSC has done that with aplomb. Sinsonke Ndum-Ndum has been with th...

17 Episodes has flown by! I took the opportunity this week to reflect on what I've learnt from the diverse variety of guests that have been on the show. Ranging from Springbok rugby players to forensic pathologists and everything in between.  The purpose of the Xpect Performance Podcast is to listen with intent, with the intention of applying something that you've learnt from the podcast in your o...

Are you one of those people who have wondered if and how you would survive if left stranded in the African wilderness? Survival expert Quinton Coetzee has the answers. That along with wonderful insights from his time spent with the San people and how we can apply their survival strategies to a modern, corporate world.  We do some African bushveld myth busting, citing references from his latest boo...

According to World Health Organization (WHO), the worldwide prevalence of obesity has tripled between the years 1975 and 2016. Researchers prove that the prevalence of diabetes has increased from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014, meaning diabetes is up 400% in 34 years.  In this episode, Professor Shahidul Islam and I unpack these two epidemics, including discussions around his research...

After 20 years of gracing KZN's airwaves, Jane Linley-Thomas opens up on the importance of self-love and being (and staying) true to your purpose and living a life of meaning.  In this episode, Jane and I discuss her decision to move on to a new exciting chapter in her life, as well as reflecting on the twenty years that has been as a radio host on East Coast Radio.  What I loved most about this e...

Imagine, you've found a way out of rural South Africa, which, in a country that lacks upward mobility, is an achievement in itself.  Imagine you've overcome alcohol abuse, and you're clean and sober.  You're travelling around the world to compete in triathlon events. Something beyond your wildest dreams. Only for it to be taken away on a morning cycle by three men who try to chop your legs off wit...

Description Since inception in 2017, it has taken Johannes Richter and his team five years to transform a family home living room to the Living Room at Summerhill Estate , and number one restaurant in South Africa.  A transformative tale of a couple's vision to culinary virtue. Jo and I discuss the ethos and values of the Living Room, it's constant pursuit and dedication to sustainability, as well...

When Jes was brutally raped in 2008 by four men, she had a decision to make. Excusably, she could become another statistic to a heinous crime (reportedly every 17 seconds someone is raped in South Africa), or she could become a north star, a guiding light of redemption. Not only for those who have shared a similar fate, but for those who are heading down a path the leads to committing such ghastly...

Are you a cricket fan? If so, you've probably heard his silky-smooth voice coming from the commentary booth of the latest test series you've been watching. Mark Nicholas is a former English cricketer and current commentator and broadcaster. In this episode I ask Mark about his love affair with the game of cricket, as stated in his book "A Beautiful Game, My Love Affair with Cricket". We discuss ho...

With the 2023 Rugby World Cup underway, I caught up with 2007 World Cup winning flyhalf Butch James.  In this episode we discuss the importance of team chemistry on tour, particularly on long tours such as a World Cup. We chat about the importance of leadership, with recent reference to Siya Kolisi's defence of Manie Libbok in a media conference after the Scottish match.  Butch goes into detail on...

Over 15 000 autopsies, black mamba mysteries and the pulse of a nation. Award winning forensic pathologist Ryan Blumenthal is an author and recent recipient of the NRF award for Public Engagement with Research for his publications and advocacy on lightning and electrothermal injuries.  We chatted about both his non-fiction books, Autopsy and Risking Life for Death where Ryan walks us through a car...

Have you ever wondered what happens on a reality TV show?  Real Housewives of Durban fan?  This episode is for you! Kgomotso Ndungane is a former star of the Real Housewives of Durban in season 1.  In this episode, we unpack what reality television REALLY is, her views on social media, tribalism on the show and a whole lot more.  I personally really enjoyed Kgomotso's evolution through the convers...

Garth Milne is an accomplished golf strength and conditioning coach and has worked with numerous Sunshine Tour, DP World Tour, PGA Tour and LIV Tour golfers such as Branden Grace and Dean Burmester.  In this episode, we cover:  1. Garth's recipe for success using the incredible success cube. I personally found this to be my biggest takeaway from the episode.  2. LIV golf and how it really is insid...

What is your passion? What is your career? Are these the same thing? Have you ever stopped to imagine what your life would be like if they were? Successful business owner, entrepreneur, conservationist and adventurer Adam Riley has built that life. On this episode, we discuss: 1. How he changed the biggest setback of his career to the biggest highlight a few years later in the Antarctic. 2. His ad...

Have you asked yourself what lifestyle you want to live? Do you know how much you want to work? How much time do you want at home? What holidays would you like to go on? How much does this cost? Deciding what you want is the first step to any successful venture. In this episode with Vic, we unpack lifestyle design, embracing previous versions of yourself and taking risks. You can follow Vic on Ins...

Have you ever had to lose 4% of your bodyweight in one morning so you could go to work? Do you REALLY want to be a superstar? The glitz, glamour and glory comes at a price. Relentless dedication, obsession, time away from family, burnout and broken bones.  This is the story of three time South African champion jockey and four time Durban July winner, Anthony Delpech, as he discusses what it's like...

Do you compare yourself to others? Does this get you down? Do you believe you're capable of more but there's that voice in your head telling you that you can't? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this episode is for you! Grant Gavin is a successful entrepreneur, international public speaker, published author and business coach. A number of his achievements include: 2015- Founded the Du...

Do you feel overwhelmed by different fad diets, empty carbs and empty promises? In this episode, Danni and I discuss a logical, informed approach to your health and your diet. Danielle Venter is a Durban based, former chef and current dietician of over 17 years. She has helped over 12 000 people get healthier, happier and look better! Since 2009 she has been the performance nutritionist for the Sh...

Odwa Ndungane is a former Springbok and Sharks rugby player. Over a first-class rugby career spanning seventeen years, including over 250 caps for the Natal Rugby Union and capped nine times for the Springboks, Odwa established himself as a decorated athlete. Since his retirement, Odwa's career evolved into the construction industry (Ndungane Construction) as well as being a rugby analyst on Super...