In this episode of the Endure Edge Podcast, Jacques Wijtman sits down with Rachel “The Big Dog” Beaton to unpack the work, discipline, and mindset behind her rise in the running world. Known by many as a running influencer, Rachel breaks down what most people don’t see, the early mornings, the lonely miles, and the decision to train without a coach.

From her life before running, to conquering Comrades and earning back-to-back Bill Rowan finishes, this conversation dives deep into mental toughness, women’s mental health, and the power of community. Raw, honest, and unapologetic, this episode proves that grit beats talent when talent doesn’t show up.

In this episode, we sit down with Darren Thomas, Hyrox world champion, elite adaptive CrossFit athlete, and a man who has turned unimaginable adversity into unstoppable momentum. After an event that changed his life and left him in a wheelchair, Darren refused to let circumstance define his future. Instead, he rebuilt himself with grit, discipline, and a mindset forged under pressure.

We dive into the moment his competitive fire reignited, how he trains at a world-class level, the mental battles behind the physical ones, and what it really takes to rise when life hits hardest. This is more than a story about sport — it’s a masterclass in resilience, perspective, and human potential.

If you’ve ever faced adversity, struggled with identity, or needed proof that strength is a choice, this episode will hit home.

In this episode, we sit down with Marisca Orr, a woman redefining strength from the inside out.
She’s the force behind a movement that helps women stop shrinking, stop apologizing, and start stepping into the power they forgot they had.

We talk about what it really means for women to build strength, not just in the gym, but in identity, mindset, and everyday life.
From the fears women carry, to the confidence they unlock through lifting, to Marisca’s own journey of resilience and leadership, this conversation hits deep.

This episode is bold, honest, and needed.
If you’re a woman who’s ever doubted your strength, or someone who supports strong women, this one will stay with you long after it ends.

Sias du Plessis joins Endure Edge for his most honest and unfiltered conversation yet.
From the grind behind South African sports to the pressure of building a voice that can’t be ignored, Sias opens up about the lessons, the failures, the mindset, and the moments that shaped him.

We dive into:
• What drives his obsession for excellence
• The real challenges behind the mic
• Lessons learned from working around SA’s boldest media figures
• The mental toughness behind interviewing elite athletes
• Identity, ambition, criticism, and staying true to your voice
• The state of South African sport, raw and uncensored

This is the episode where Sias drops the mask and speaks with total honesty.
No filters. No shortcuts. Just the story behind the man you hear on the mic.

In this episode, we sit down with Julian Short — The Flavourist, a two-time World Class champion and one of South Africa’s most respected bartenders. Known for his ability to build emotion through flavour, Julian talks openly about the craft, the discipline behind great cocktails, and the realities of working in an environment shaped by alcohol, pressure, and performance.

We explore how he maintains control in a field where excess is always within reach, how he protects his mental health, and what it really takes to stay creative without losing balance. From the philosophy of flavour to the human cost of the service industry, this conversation goes beyond bartending and into the mindset required to endure and evolve.

A thoughtful, grounded look at the life of a modern flavourist, and the discipline that keeps him steady.

In this raw and fearless conversation, Prof Carol-Ann Benn, one of South Africa’s leading breast-cancer surgeons, opens up about the fight against fear, misinformation, and the system itself.

From what women really need to do when they find a lump, to why courage is the most powerful form of medicine, this episode dives deep into truth, science, and survival.

This is not just about breast cancer. It’s about endurance, humanity, and the power to keep showing up.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Boyd Allen, one of South Africa’s most versatile and respected combat athletes. From dominating the EFC cage to reinventing himself in the boxing ring, and now shaping the next generation at Apex Gym, Boyd’s journey is a masterclass in discipline, evolution, and warrior mindset.

We dive deep into:

* The mindset shift from MMA champion to professional boxer
* Building Apex Gym and developing future champions
* Training philosophies, mental toughness, and fighter psychology
* The current state of South African boxing & MMA
* The rise of Dricus du Plessis and the world-title path of Kevin Lerena
* What SA fighters need to break through globally
* The legacy Boyd is carving — beyond titles and belts

This is a raw, honest, and inspiring conversation about growth, resilience, and fighting for purpose, not just victory. Whether you’re a fighter, a fan, or someone chasing your own next level, this episode hits heavy.

Tune in. Take notes. Step into the arena.

Born into chaos, raised by love, and shaped by two worlds. Lucky Du Plessis’s story is one of resilience, identity, and redemption. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Lucky opens up about growing up as a Black man with an Afrikaans surname, navigating the pain and beauty of adoption, and finding purpose through struggle.

We dive deep into what it means to belong, to rebuild yourself from the ground up, and to turn trauma into strength. From the heartbreak of being lost as a child to the discipline of running and the fight for mental clarity, this is a journey about claiming your story and owning your name.

This episode is more than an interview, it’s a reminder that where you come from doesn’t define where you’re going.