13/06/2024
I picked up a little booklet over the weekend while rearranging one of my bookcases: The 1988 Annual yearbook of Athletics South Africa. I delighted myself in familiar faces and familiar races. Johan Fourie who won the mile in 3:50,82. Matthews Tsemane who established a world best time of 60 minutes 11 seconds for the half marathon. Tshakile Nzimandi, Zelda Botes, Desiree du Plessis, Marjorie van der Merwe, Tanya Peckam, Elana Meyer, Zola Budd, Jacques van Rensburg.
I was thrilled to discover that at the time of print, my personal best for the 800m (2:02,93) was ranked in 6th place of all-time junior 800m athletes in South Africa. A few split-seconds after the 5th position and with Zola Budd ranking in first place.
I was 19 years old then and still had a lot to work towards – Springbok Colours in Athletics being my ultimate dream. (The highest accolade for an athlete in South Africa at the time).
My sports coach, Oom Hennie Botha acquired a sponsor for my very first pair of Nike spikes. I travelled by plane for the first time, I stayed in hotels for the first time in my life. Oom Hennie’s last words before a race were always: “Remember: stick, and kick”. Which meant, stick with the bunch and sprint with all the reserves you have left from the 150-meter mark until the finish-line. Advice that I still find useful in various life situations today.
Oom Hennie not only trained me as an athlete, he supported my whole person (body, soul and spirit). He encouraged me to see a doctor when he suspected that my iron levels were low. He opened my eyes to wolves in sheep’s clothing. He encouraged healthy friendships. In my first year of training with him, I qualified for junior Springbok colours.
Despite Oom Hennie’s plea for me to remain in Potchefstroom for the upcoming season, my romantic inclinations towards Stellenbosch (the place and a person in it) prevailed. I managed to convince my academic sponsor that studying at the Stellenbosch University would make much more sense for someone aspiring to become an elite athlete.
My Maties coach was good, and I trained with the best, but I did not improve on my personal best time in the 800m. Now, 36 years later, having raised three kids and successfully transitioned from a career in software development to life coaching, I’ve come to realize that success isn’t solely determined by raw talent and unwavering dedication. In any domain - be it academics, career, sports, or relationships - personal mastery is the key to exceptional results.
As a Neuro-Coach, I rewire my clients’ subconscious minds, nurturing growth and well-being. This empowers them to achieve their goals and dreams, even amidst external pressures. In a competitive landscape where split-second decisions define winners, engaging a Coach becomes a strategic advantage that benefits not only you but also everyone within your community.
