15/01/2026
2025 was a massive year, and I gave it everything I had. I showed up all over the world—my time, my resources, my energy, my soul—always delivering on what I said I would, no matter the conditions. Rain or shine, whether I felt great or completely drained, I still showed up. That’s always been my mantra.
But if I’m honest, I probably gave too much. I pushed myself to the point of complete depletion. Launching my new book Super Stoked! and the Roadshow was a huge undertaking on its own—but adding the Hero Awards, the Mentor Sessions, and all the Giveback Sessions around the country was likely the tipping point. I love giving my time, money, resources, books, energy, and inspiration… but I ran myself empty.
And then, right at Christmas—just when I was finally going to take my first real break of the entire year—I got taken out by a nasty bug and chest infection that flattened me for two weeks. It forced me to slow down and recover, step by step.
Because the truth is: when you don’t take weekends or downtime—when you just keep going—your body eventually shuts you down. Mine did. It reminded me that you can give too much of yourself, even with the best intentions, and that listening to your body isn’t optional.
Giving wholeheartedly and helping others is incredible, but you still need to leave something in the tank for yourself. People will take as much as you offer—and that’s okay—but we also need boundaries around where, how much, and to whom we give, so we can sustain ourselves.
This clip is from one of the many Mentor Sessions I ran during the Super Stoked! Roadshow in December. Listening back, I can hear how much I was pushing, I had lost my voice, but I was still there, burning the candle at every possible end—still showing up because I said I would.
Creating these leadership and mentorship experiences for young people means everything to me. If you say you’re going to be there, you show up.
That’s one of the most important values of being a leader and a good human.
Reliability. Integrity. Professionalism. Following through on what you say, is everything, without exception.
Thanks Nigel Savill and the 9Miles Project for helping me put together these epic Sessions up and down the Coast.
Thank you to the Alberto Possati & for your continued support for the Roadshow and Book mentorship Sessions.
Thank you Wild Impact for your help and support for the TransCat Expedition 2025, to help raise money to support these projects, mentoring disadvantaged youth across Africa, thank you for your continued support.
GaryVanRooyen from Racefood for the part sponsorship of the super Sup's for the Sessions, which worked like a treat, thank you greatly appreciated.
These Sessions are part of my ongoing commitment to inspire, mentor and give back to education and underserved youth across South Africa, greater Africa and the world, through the Chris Bertish Foundation
Thanks Flux Communications& Europcar South Africa
