My Highs & Lows

January 11, 2025

For it’s in this duality where the depth, meaning and richness of life lie. Which, over this past year, is something that I’ve embraced wholeheartedly.

There have been some incredible highs. From cruising around the west coast of the US with my father and launching my flagship program From The Core, to taking the leap and moving across the world to the far corners of Capetown, and hitting (also far excelling!) goals in my vitality that I never thought were possible.

And in the whirlwind of new beginnings, the most incredible person walked into my life.

It was life’s way of showing me that the most precious gifts are those that come unexpectedly. A reminder that as long as I’m brave enough to let go of what’s no longer serving me, life is more than willing to reward me with something, or someone, beyond my imagination.

But along the way, there have also been some challenging, uncomfortable lows.

6 months ago now, I left Bali, a place that I had called home for 6+ years. Moving there was one of the most pivotal moments in my life, so to leave it in my rearview mirror was a truly challenging decision.

Because it wasn’t just the country I was leaving, but my friends, my way of living and
my 5-year-long relationship with my ex-partner, and the hopes and dreams we had.

As difficult as it was, I can look back and smile.

This year also marked the tragic loss of Mana, the 10-year-old son of my friends — a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment we have with the people we love.

Witnessing his parents navigate through Manas’ passing with grace and courage was nothing short of inspiring. It reminded me that even in the darkest of times, there is a strength within us that can carry us through.

A testament to the power of love, community, and the indomitable will to LIVE.

Whether your goals for next year are to own your potential and work, to live life on your own terms, find your purpose, move countries, or even just to settle down with your life partner…
I invite you to go into 2024 being radically aware of the fact that it won’t always be easy.

Anything worth having will be harder than you think.

But it’s in accepting (and not resisting!) the difficulty in these moments of discomfort, the moments most people would rather run from, hide or avoid that they get a little easier.

It’s in accepting that not everything will play out in the way that you want, or expect, it to — it’s about accepting and playing the cards that you’ve been dealt as well as you can.

These moments of discomfort and difficulty aren’t just inevitable but necessary parts of our journey on the road to self-actualisation. They forge us into the person we were created to be ultimately.

And it’s through this reflection that I find myself thinking deeply about the ‘brave few’ that I’ve worked with over the course of 2023.

Witnessing their transformations first-hand — as always — has been an honour, and as we go into 2024, I’m excited to see how differently their year will play out with their greater awareness, resilience, competence, freedom, authenticity and their ability to take risks that they had never thought possible.

Like John, who felt like he lost the zest for life — unable to find the motivation and strength to keep his head above water at work, the capacity to spend quality time with his loved ones and the spark of ambition that he once built his company with.

Since working together, he’s now back in the driver’s seat, rediscovering joy in the simplest things, being more present for his wife & children, and moving forward with a newfound sense of clarity, confidence and autonomy — well on his way to the opportunities that lie on the other side of a self-led, fully-lived life.

To David, a proud man who used to live for the applause and the applause alone — constantly seeking external validation from those around him, unable to feel fulfilled with his actions and decisions (despite how he excelled in them!).

Today, he’s broken free from his praise-seeking prison. He no longer cares about pleasing and impressing people. He acts out of what’s right, courageously pursuing and striving for what matters to him. He’s now leading a life on his own terms, with a newfound partner who elevates every step of his journey towards a fully-lived life, making it more meaningful, just that little bit easier (and fun!).

And then there’s Valerie, a once “wantrepreneur” — spending her time and energy observing other people living the life that she wanted to live, playing it small and safe just watching from the sidelines (hiding behind podcasts, courses and books!)…

Now a fully-fledged, remote business owner who far excelled in her personal and professional milestones. She’s no longer a spectator in her own life story, but instead, she took the bold, brave steps needed to leave her comfort zone and chart her own path.

My work isn’t always easy and fun, but each and every one of you inspires me to keep doing what I do. I’m beyond grateful for you trusting me to enter into your lives to hear your stories, witness your struggles and embrace your growth towards a fully-lived life.

To everyone I’ve worked with, and to you for reading the Unbound Leader, from the bottom of my heart, thank you — your dedication to growth, your willingness to embrace change, and your commitment to living a fully-lived life are truly inspiring.

Their stories are a testament to the power of what’s possible when you face the parts of your life that most people usually run, hide from or stay blind to. Of what’s possible when you allow yourself to dream again, and most importantly, of taking action towards realising those dreams.

Of what’s possible when you stop wanting things to be easy, or different.

And go all in. All heart.

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