While training for a gymnastics competition, 16-year-old Brandon Beack had a life-changing accident. A poorly timed dismount saw him miss the safety mat and land on the only square metre of uncovered concrete. Brandon broke his neck and was instantly paralysed from his shoulders down. Through sheer determination and hard work, he has regained far more mobility than many thought possible. Today, Brandon heads up the Walking With Brandon Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers...

While training for a gymnastics competition, 16-year-old Brandon Beack had a life-changing accident. A poorly timed dismount saw him miss the safety mat and land on the only square metre of uncovered concrete.  Brandon broke his neck and was instantly paralysed from his shoulders down.  Through sheer determination and hard work, he has regained far more mobility than many thought possible.  Today, Brandon heads up the Walking With Brandon Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers...

Ayanda Dlamini is a fellow parent, a dear friend and a former radio colleague. With a devoted husband and 3 children in tow wherever she goes, there is a level of measured of chaos that Aya is accustomed to. The thing that has always struck me about Ayanda is something scientific literature refers to as hedonia. This terms refers to the "presence of positive emotions and the absence of negative emotions." I cannot recall ever seeing or hearing Ayanda express negative emotions. So I asked...

Ayanda Dlamini is a fellow parent, a dear friend and a former radio colleague. With a devoted husband and 3 children in tow wherever she goes, there is a level of measured of chaos that Aya is accustomed to.  The thing that has always struck me about Ayanda is something scientific literature refers to as hedonia. This terms refers to the "presence of positive emotions and the absence of negative emotions." I cannot recall ever seeing or hearing Ayanda express negative emotions. So I...

In this episode, Sean speaks with Terence Mentor, who shares his personal journey and experiences with ADHD. Terence opens up about the challenges he faced before understanding his condition and how speaking openly about it has helped him feel less alone. They discuss the internal chaos and struggles of living with ADHD, as well as the moments of hyper-focus and clarity that bring excitement and fulfillment. Terence also shares his process of getting diagnosed and the relief that came with...

In this episode, Sean speaks with Terence Mentor, who shares his personal journey and experiences with ADHD. Terence opens up about the challenges he faced before understanding his condition and how speaking openly about it has helped him feel less alone. They discuss the internal chaos and struggles of living with ADHD, as well as the moments of hyper-focus and clarity that bring excitement and fulfillment. Terence also shares his process of getting diagnosed and the relief that came with...

Some Assembly Required is about matters of the heart and the head, and this episode is extra special for me. One, because Danny Painter has agreed to share openly about her journey to therapy and I think her story may just help break some stigmas. And two because I get to express my gratitude to Danny for helping me get out of my own way. If it weren’t for that chance conversion at an event in 2022, this podcast might not exist. Danny has been through many colourful, life altering...

Some Assembly Required is about matters of the heart and the head, and this episode is extra special for me. One, because Danny Painter has agreed to share openly about her journey to therapy and I think her story may just help break some stigmas.  And two because I get to express my gratitude to Danny for helping me get out of my own way. If it weren’t for that chance conversion at an event in 2022, this podcast might not exist.  Danny has been through many colourful, life altering...

New format. Same great storytelling. Early in our marriage we spoke about having more than one child. And from time to time we revisit that conversation - each time with a refreshed perspective. I've never asked Ruenda what it is like being a mom or if she has always wanted to mother a child. So that is what I did in this episode. Long time listeners of this podcast know that our daughter has a complicated medical history. Expect raw responses to questions like "How do you prefer to tell...

New format. Same great storytelling.  Early in our marriage we spoke about having more than one child. And from time to time we revisit that conversation - each time with a refreshed perspective.  I've never asked Ruenda what it is like being a mom or if she has always wanted to mother a child. So that is what I did in this episode.  Long time listeners of this podcast know that our daughter has a complicated medical history.  Expect raw responses to questions like "How do you prefer to...

Everything changed because you made a choice. Did you know the average adult makes about 35,000 remotely conscious decisions every single day? From what to eat to major life choices, each decision shapes us a little bit more. But what happens when those choices don't go as planned? When life throws an unexpected curveball, how do we adapt and grow? Hosted by Sean Loots who has experienced the ups and downs of unexpected change firsthand, 'Something Shifted,' is the podcast that explores...

Rachel Goh is a clinical psychologist and former Australian swimmer. In this episode we look back at Rachel's dream to swim at the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games and the effort it would take to make the Australian National team. Rachel talks us through how it felt to not achieve her childhood dream and the difficulty of accepting that something you have aspired to is not achievable. But this is not the only disappointment of 2012. In fact, things get much worse when Rachel sustains a...

Rachel Goh is a clinical psychologist and former Australian swimmer. In this episode we look back at Rachel's dream to swim at the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games and the effort it would take to make the Australian National team. Rachel talks us through how it felt to not achieve her childhood dream and the difficulty of accepting that something you have aspired to is not achievable. But this is not the only disappointment of 2012. In fact, things get much worse when Rachel sustains a...

Jonno Proudfoot openly shares his difficult childhood, marked by his parents' divorce and a lack of support. He coped by turning to alcohol and drugs, starting at a very young age, but eventually found his drive to succeed through the need to feel significant. As the co-author of the book Real Meal Revolution, Jonno experienced both incredible success and a downward spiral. Through it all, he learned that failure is just another word for learning, and that resilience is the key to bouncing...

Jonno Proudfoot openly shares his difficult childhood, marked by his parents' divorce and a lack of support. He coped by turning to alcohol and drugs, starting at a very young age, but eventually found his drive to succeed through the need to feel significant. As the co-author of the book Real Meal Revolution, Jonno experienced both incredible success and a downward spiral. Through it all, he learned that failure is just another word for learning, and that resilience is the key to...

Using a dynamic mix of human psychology, quantum science, business strategy and futurism, John Sanei creates talks, writes books, delivers masterclasses and sits on boards to help guide future-forward leaders who are ready to lean into uncertainty, overcome doubt, and rise with courage, clarity and power. But it has taken some serious deep work to get there. In this episode of Some Assembly Required, the 5x best-selling author talks openly about losing everything he had worked for,...

Using a dynamic mix of human psychology, quantum science, business strategy and futurism, John Sanei creates talks, writes books, delivers masterclasses and sits on boards to help guide future-forward leaders who are ready to lean into uncertainty, overcome doubt, and rise with courage, clarity and power. But it has taken some serious deep work to get there. In this episode of Some Assembly Required, the 5x best-selling author talks openly about losing everything he had worked for, ...

Did you know there is a waste management system for your brain? Essentially it is responsible for carrying fresh fluids into and waste fluids out of your brain. This happens mostly during sleep. So, what then if you don't get enough sleep? While I do not have the answer to that question, I can tell you how I feel when I don't get good quality sleep. And I'm sure your story would be similar. Groggy. Lethargic. Foggy. Irritable. You know the drill. I have lucked out on my fair share of sleep...

Did you know there is a waste management system for your brain?  Essentially it is responsible for carrying fresh fluids into and waste fluids out of your brain. This happens mostly during sleep. So, what then if you don't get enough sleep?  While I do not have the answer to that question, I can tell you how I feel when I don't get good quality sleep. And I'm sure your story would be similar. Groggy. Lethargic. Foggy. Irritable. You know the drill.    I have lucked out on my fair share of...

We're often told that dealing with daily situations is simply a case of mind over matter, but very seldom are we taught skills to implement this. Dr Kirsten Van Heerden is one of only a handful of people in South Africa to have both represented her country as an athlete and hold a PhD in the area of sport psychology. She has guided many Olympians, World Champions and South African sports teams over there mental barriers. In this episode we discuss so much. From how to pick yourself up...

We're often told that dealing with daily situations is simply a case of mind over matter, but very seldom are we taught skills to implement this.  Dr Kirsten Van Heerden is one of only a handful of people in South Africa to have both represented her country as an athlete and hold a PhD in the area of sport psychology.  She has guided many Olympians, World Champions and South African sports teams over there mental barriers.  In this episode we discuss so much. From how to pick yourself up...

This is a bonus episode that involves a body based practice led by Shaun Brooking, designed to re-invigorate the nervous system and restore balance. If you haven’t listened to the previous episode "Working on your nerves" yet, Shaun and I discuss a range of subjects including some of his athletic journey and we scratch the surface of neuroscience, nerve tension, stress management and how the body stores pressures and even trauma. If you have listened to the previous episode, you may...

This is a bonus episode that involves a body based practice led by Shaun Brooking, designed to re-invigorate the nervous system and restore balance. If you haven’t listened to the previous episode "Working on your nerves" yet, Shaun and I discuss a range of subjects including some of his athletic journey and we scratch the surface of neuroscience, nerve tension, stress management and how the body stores pressures and even trauma.  If you have listened to the previous episode, you may already...

If, like me, you have aches and pains that come and go, you may have tried a few different methods of alleviating your ailments.  I’ve tried physiotherapy, chiropractors, body stress release, TRE and even Rolfing.  Rolfing is when a practitioner massages the muscles and fascia not only where you're feeling pain, but all over your body with the goal of fixing your body's posture so that it corrects any lingering imbalances that are causing the pain. Sometimes we can identify the reason for the...

If, like me, you have aches and pains that come and go, you may have tried a few different methods of alleviating your ailments. I’ve tried physiotherapy, chiropractors, body stress release, TRE and even Rolfing. Rolfing is when a practitioner massages the muscles and fascia not only where you're feeling pain, but all over your body with the goal of fixing your body's posture so that it corrects any lingering imbalances that are causing the pain. Sometimes we can identify the reason for...