The past few weeks have been a whirlwind — from an unforgettable, 7-day adventure in Iceland’s rugged, otherworldly landscapes to the quiet, introspective moments of my 36th birthday celebration.

And as the adrenaline of the adventure fades away, I now sit on the plane heading back home towards Cape Town — writing this newsletter and reflecting on the last few days.

Or more accurately, reflecting on the last year.

The memories, the challenges, and the victories — which I can only describe as a beautiful, albeit terrifying, yet awe-inspiring, exhilarating rollercoaster that took me to heights I never imagined, and through valleys I never expected to navigate.

And when I look back, I can confidently say it’s been the best, most successful, and most transformative year of my life.

But of course, as I’m sure you know, it didn’t come without its challenges. My pursuits and relationships didn’t always work out as I’d wanted or expected them to, and at the time, they felt like setbacks or even failures.

However, if there is one thing I’ve learned over my 36 years, it’s that sometimes the second, or even fifth, chances can take us to heights we didn’t know were possible when we were clinging to the first.

It’s only now, with the benefit of hindsight, that I can truly appreciate those moments and even feel grateful that things didn’t work out as I initially hoped.

And the reason I’m sharing this today is because I hope my life serves as a potent reminder that life is more than willing to give us a second, third, and even fourth chance.

But the pattern I’ve noticed in my clients and friends, is that many of us are guilty of going through life believing that second chances are rare, that opportunities once missed are gone forever.

As common as it is, this belief couldn’t be further from the truth.

Second chances are everywhere, hiding in plain sight, disguised as setbacks, challenges, or unexpected turns. But too often, we miss them because we’re clinging to what we know and expect from life, even when it’s no longer serves us.

We stay in jobs that drain us, relationships that no longer nurture us, or pursue a definition of success that no longer align with who we’ve become. We do this out of fear, comfort, or simply because we can’t see another way.

It’s a lack of choice. A lack of faith in ourselves and in the possibilities that lie beyond our comfort zone. It’s an unwillingness to close one chapter so that we can open another.

To truly embrace these second chances as they arrive, we need to be willing to let go. To step into new directions, even when the path isn’t clear. To have faith that as one door closes, another will open — if we have the courage to walk through it.

But something that I’ve been reflecting deeply on, is not just about recognising when a second chance comes our way, but how we embrace it. How we approach them.

And most importantly, how we act on them.

It’s in this moment of action, this crucial point of decision, that we truly define the identity of ourselves. And I’ve come to realise that the key lies in shifting our perspective from a place of scarcity and fear to one of abundance and urgency.

It’s about approaching each opportunity as if it’s both our first and our last.

And this is exactly where most people trip up.

Most people wait until the moment that their backs are against the wall before truly committing to change or taking that leap towards something new. It’s as if they are hardwired to need that extra push, that moment of desperation or urgency, before they are willing to step off the train that’s heading in the wrong direction.

This back-against-the-wall mentality is more common than you might think — that feeling of only taking decisive action when circumstances force our hand. We often find ourselves needing that push, that external pressure, to grow into the version of ourselves that capable of achieving the very thing we (say we) want.

We let fear and complacency keep us in holding patterns, convincing ourselves that we’re not ready, that the time isn’t right, until we have no choice but to act.

But while this approach might eventually get us moving, it often comes at a cost.

We miss out on precious time, opportunities, and experiences waiting for that proverbial wall to close in on us.

We wait for the layoff before we pursue our passion.

We wait for the health scare before we prioritise our wellbeing.

We wait for the relationship to fall apart before we start working on ourselves.

But here’s what I’ve learned — and what I want to share with you today:

The magic happens when you treat every chance as if it’s your last and ONLY chance.

And when you embrace this mindset, you start to see opportunities where others see obstacles. You find the courage to take risks. Your actions become more purposeful and driven by intent, and your decisions more decisive. A mindset that most people misinterpret as “luck”.

I’ve often heard people say, “You’re lucky”, or “For you, it’s easy”, but what I’ve come to learn is that being lucky is a direct consequence of daring to step into the unknown and treating every chance as if it’s your last and only.

I’ve found that throughout my years that treating each opportunity like it’s my last chance and recognising the preciousness it lights that fire of urgency in my belly, propelling me towards my highest aims, potential, joy and purpose in life.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that this mindset isn’t always easy to get on board with.

It’s something I’ve had to work on, something that’s been shaped by my experiences — some of them beautiful, some of them heartbreakingly difficult.

I’ve stood at the graves of friends who left this world far too soon. I’ve lain in a hospital bed, uncertain if I’d see another sunrise. As painful as they were, these moments gifted me with a sense of urgency. A fire in my belly to make the most of this wild and beautiful thing called life.

They taught me — for better or worse — in the most visceral way that our time here is limited, that each day is a gift we’re not guaranteed to receive again.

The most successful and fulfilled people I know, they don’t wait for life to remind them of its fragility to start living fully. They approach each day, each task, each interaction with an inner fire, a sense of purpose and urgency that comes from within.

Think about the greatest achievers in any field — athletes, entrepreneurs, artists. What sets them apart isn’t just talent or luck. It’s that inner fire, that self-driven motivation that pushes them to give their all, day in and day out.

They don’t try to find purpose; they live with purpose.

They don’t wait for external pressure or looming deadlines.

They create their own sense of urgency, their own internal deadlines.

This is the mindset I invite you to embrace, my friend.

It’s about waking up each morning with a fire in your belly, ready to tackle the day with passion and purpose. It’s about approaching each task, each interaction, each opportunity as if it’s the most important thing in the world — because in that moment, it is.

This isn’t about burning yourself out or living in a constant state of stress. It’s about living with purpose, about being committed to your growth, success, and well-being, and that giving anything less than your best feels unthinkable.

And so, the message that I want to leave you with is this:

Life is generous with its second chances, but it’s up to us to seize them. We don’t always get it right the first time, and that’s okay. It’s beautifully human.

What matters is how we approach each new opportunity — with the fresh excitement of a first-timer and the urgent dedication of someone on their last chance.

And to make this shift practical, and stoke the fire within, ask yourself:

What door in my life do I need to close to allow for a new opportunity?

What leap of faith am I avoiding that might be holding me back from my next big chance?

If I were to act as if the next opportunity was my last, what would change in my approach to life?

This is your life. Your one precious, beautiful life.

Don’t wait for someday to start living it fully.

Don’t wait for the perfect moment to pursue your dreams.

The time is now. The opportunity is here.

And you have everything you need within you to seize it.

The choice is yours. The time is now.

I’ll be rooting for you every step of the way.

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