Welcome to Chapter 3 of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this special solo episode, host Grant Gavin continues his special series unpacking each chapter of his book, Thoughtonomy. This week, Grant explores Chapter 3, "The Pebble in Your Shoe," diving deep into the hidden beliefs and subconscious patterns that quietly hold us back from our goals.

Grant unpacks the powerful metaphor of the pebble in your shoe, a small, persistent discomfort representing self-doubt, fears, and limiting beliefs we often ignore on our personal journeys. Drawing inspiration from the famous quote, "It's not the mountain ahead that wears you out; it's the pebble in your shoe," Grant shares how self-awareness and conscious reflection are the true keys to personal transformation. He encourages listeners to pause, identify these hidden “pebbles,” and make the courageous decision to address them so they can finally break free from self-imposed limitations.

With stories from his own life and coaching practice, Grant reminds us that every limiting belief is a decision, one we have the power to change at any moment. If you’ve ever caught yourself saying, “It’s just the way I am,” this episode will challenge you to reconsider, and inspire you to make new choices aligned with the life you want to live.

Whether you’re rebuilding after a setback or standing at the start of a daunting new chapter, this episode will empower you to recognize what’s truly holding you back and take decisive action towards your dreams. ⏱ Timestamped Overview

01:01 – Introducing Chapter Three: The Pebble in Your Shoe. 01:56 – The Mountain and the Pebble Metaphor Explained. 03:08 – Living with the Pebble: Unaddressed Pain. 04:14 – Removing the Pebble: Self-Awareness and Universality. 05:25 – Identifying Your Pebble. 06:39 – The Power of Choice and Limiting Beliefs. 07:49 – Personal Experience with Limiting Beliefs. 09:04 – Conditioning and Ongoing Self-Questioning. 10:06 – Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser.

💬 Quote of the Episode

“I honestly believe that all of us are imperfectly perfect.” – Grant Gavin 👣 Relevant Links

Thoughtonomy Book: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy

Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.

Welcome to this episode of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this wide-ranging conversation, host Grant Gavin sits down with former Springbok and Sharks stalwart AJ Venter to unpack the messy middle between professional sport and real life. AJ speaks candidly about the hard transition out of rugby, losing most of his savings in the post-2008 property crash, rebuilding a career in business, and why courage and clarity in leadership matter; on the field, in the boardroom, and in South Africa right now.

AJ Venter is a former professional rugby player who represented the Springboks and played over 200 matches provincially, most notably for the Sharks and Free State. After retiring, AJ navigated a difficult reinvention, ultimately becoming a shareholder in a UK-based workforce solutions company, Van Wenlock, where he focuses on enterprise client development in the technology and financial sectors. Passionate about resilience, accountability, and community, AJ is also vocal on social platforms about leadership and citizenship in South Africa.

The episode highlights on insights for career opportunities, personal growth, and the power of honest conversation. ⏱ Timestamped Overview 00:21 – Who is AJ? Rugby past, more than just rugby. 00:41 – Teams he played for; the one he didn’t: the Bulls. 01:26 – That last-minute 2004 Super Rugby game vs Bulls. 02:15 – Grant and AJ first meet real estate chapter. 03:04 – Only a small % of athletes transition easily; why. 04:09 – Training era shift: from part-time to fully professional. 05:13 – Mid-week learning on off-days wasn’t enough. 05:34 – Retires in 2009 amid the 2008 credit crunch. 06:46 – “Lost almost all my money”; still finding his feet. 07:36 – Brand reality: only a few stars carry it long after. 08:36 – Out of sight, out of mind: brand fades fast. 09:24 – TV extends relevance; inactivity shrinks it. 10:39 – Losing is part of sport MJ example; still a legend. 12:04 – Lessons: dig deep; learn from leaders; near-2004 turnaround. 13:05 – The emotional low; startup stress after rugby. 14:21 – Outside perspectives reframe problems. 15:30 – Starting anyway when it feels like rock bottom. 16:30 – Broadening out: South Africa needs more citizen action. 17:28 – Risks of speaking up; still necessary. 18:58 – His open letter on X; mixed reception. 19:13 – Real risk in SA: safety and family considerations. 20:56 – “Time to be brave in the truth.” 22:40 – 30 years on: acknowledge past, build together now. 25:45 – Shared love of SA; potential and resilience. 27:20 – KZN policing scandal reference; slow change coming. 29:07 – He delivers; leadership requires strength. 30:26 – “Jelly” communication vs a single clear message. 32:07 – All groups suffer when leaders serve self. 34:05 – Shared goal: uplift the poorest; enable dreams. 35:55 – Camaraderie to golf for AJ; why he loves it. 36:39 – His role: open enterprise accounts. 37:52 – Tech contracting market is softer; construction shortages. 39:20 – Loves the work; building across the pond. 39:54 – Book launch story; audiobook timing and energy. 40:49 – Social media opinions can be brutal; still stand up. 💬 Quote of the Episode

“Until you do it… it is just talk.” – Matt Peterson 👣 Relevant Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aj-venter-3a99a428/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ajventerSpringbok/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajventer7/ 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy

Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Thoughtonomy Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.

Welcome to this episode of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this wide-ranging conversation, host Grant Gavin sits down with Gordon Reid, a Durban-based financial advisor, endurance enthusiast, and community fundraiser. From five surgeries at 40 to finishing Comrades and running 100 km through a game reserve, Gordon shares how a midlife reset turned into a mission: build health, set goals, and use endurance challenges to raise money and momentum for causes that matter. This episode explores personal values, authentic branding, and why accountability and action trump motivation.

Gordon Reed is a Durbanite, husband and father of two, and a Discovery financial advisor. Known for rallying support around charities, from CHOC’s “Cows” to conservation initiatives with SANParks Honorary Rangers and Project Rhino, Gordon calls himself an “average guy doing extreme challenges.” His approach blends community, accountability, and practical goal setting, whether he’s training for Comrades, leading in BNI, or advising families on life and health cover.

Whether you’re a parent, entrepreneur, advisor, or someone looking for a reset, this episode is a reminder that health is wealth, goals need to be written down, and authenticity is the strongest personal brand. ⏱ Timestamped Overview

00:40 – Intro: Gordon’s background, family, and financial advising. 02:11 – First philanthropy: joining CHOC’s “Cows” after surgeries. 03:23 – Conservation focus: Comrades for Rangers, Rhino Peak Challenge. 04:34 – Midlife reset: fitness journey and “average guy” challenges. 06:29 – Confidence through extreme events and consistent training. 07:52 – Family fuel: daughters on the route and bracelet motivation. 10:23 – Reframing exercise as a privilege, not an obligation. 11:34 – Comrades community, public accountability, inspiration. 13:37 – Everyone has a story: lessons from top performers. 15:16 – Starting hard, momentum builds results over time. 16:39 – Values as a compass for decisions and reducing anxiety. 19:46 – Self-worth, authenticity, and credibility online/offline. 21:47 – Growth mindset: 1% better daily, stretching in business. 22:23 – Career pivot at 47: new studies, life, and health cover. 23:40 – Valuing money: safety, opportunity, and lifestyle goals. 24:27 – Philanthropy: pick a cause, give time, track impact. 25:38 – Supporting tier-2/3 charities and focused giving. 26:50 – Saying no and joining the Run for Rangers story. 28:33 – Recognition: Comrades medal, Advisor of the Year award. 30:18 – Writing down goals and committing to action. 31:32 – Five-year lookback: sliding doors and best decisions. 33:17 – Connecting the dots and seizing opportunities. 35:18 – Health is wealth: stress, loss, and urgency of action. 36:34 – Putting yourself first to serve others better. 💬 Quote of the Episode

“Health is the New Wealth.” – Gordon Reid 👣 Relevant Links

LinkedIn: Gordon Reid - Discovery Financial Advisor, Vitality Integration Specialist and Commercial Insurance Broker | LinkedIn Facebook: Gords Reid | Facebook Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luckygordy_/ Gordon Reid FGro Website: Gordon Reid | FGro

Run for Rangers Website: Home Page - Run For Rangers Endangered Wildlife Trust Website: EWT Home - Endangered Wildlife Trust CHOC / The Cows Charity Website: The Cows - The Cows Jesse Itzler (All Day Running) Website: All Day Running Co. – AllDayRunningCo 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy

Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Thoughtonomy Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.

Welcome to Episode 17 of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this insightful conversation, host Grant Gavin sits down with Norman Drieselmann, CEO of Retailability, to unpack one of South Africa’s biggest retail turnaround stories. Norman shares his journey from a young, chartered accountant to a retail leader who spearheaded the acquisition and revival of Edgars, saving thousands of jobs and building one of the country’s largest unlisted fashion retailers.

This episode dives into leadership, resilience, scaling businesses, servant leadership, and the bold decisions that shaped Norman’s career and legacy. Whether you’re a young professional, small business owner, or corporate leader, Norman’s story offers practical wisdom on navigating uncertainty, building strong teams, and finding opportunity where others see risk.

Norman Drieselmann is the CEO of Retailability, a diversified retail group operating across five African countries with brands including Edgars, Legit, Swagger, Style, and Boardmans. With over 7,500 staff and more than 600 stores, Norman has built Retailability into one of the largest unlisted fashion retailers in South Africa. Known for his strategic vision and servant-leadership style, he played a pivotal role in acquiring and turning around Edgars post-COVID, a move that preserved thousands of jobs in the retail sector. ⏱ Timestamped Overview

00:45 – Introducing Norman Drieselmann: family man, community leader, and CEO of Retailability 03:30 – Retailability explained: 600+ stores, 7,500 staff, and multi-country operations 05:30 – Norman’s shift from chemical engineering to chartered accounting to retail 08:30 – Early career lessons: from Mr Price to Edcon, Massmart, and beyond 11:00 – The Edgars crisis: liquidation fears, jobs at risk, and the opportunity Norman saw 14:20 – Buying Edgars during lockdown: risk, strategy, and “the big five” changes 20:00 – Culture, cost, and customer focus: how Edgars was turned around 24:00 – Riots, floods, and rebuilding: resilience under pressure 28:00 – Leadership lessons: nervous in every board meeting, but prepared and hungry 32:00 – Freedom within a framework: how Norman empowers leaders to scale 36:00 – Leadership style: listening, guiding, and knowing when to step 39:00 – Recognition: Circle of Valour Award at Northwood Boys High 40:00 – What’s next: new formats like Kelso and cellular retail 41:30 – Competing with Shein & Temu: level playing fields and local advantage 43:30 – Advice for young professionals: effort, sacrifice, and seizing every opportunity 45:50 – Advice for small business owners: scalability, systems, and exit readiness 48:20 – Closing thoughts and where to follow Norman online 💬 Quote of the Episode “Worry adds no value. Believe in the plan, focus on the actions, and get it done.” – Norman Drieselmann 👣 Relevant Links LinkedIn: Norman Drieselmann - Retailability (Pty) Ltd | LinkedIn Retailability Website: Retailability (PTY) Ltd 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Thoughtonomy Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.

Welcome to Chapter 2 of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this special solo episode, host Grant Gavin kicks off a new series diving into each chapter of his book, Thoughtonomy. Continuing on with Chapter 2, "Trust your Superpower," Grant reflects on his lifelong passion for coaching, the self-doubt he faced along the way, and how imposter syndrome often clouds our true potential. With practical reflections on mindset, resources, and networks, this episode is a powerful reminder that you already have everything you need to succeed.

Grant Gavin is the author of Thoughtonomy, a speaker, coach, and entrepreneur. With over two decades of experience in leadership, real estate, and personal development, Grant’s mission is to help individuals overcome limiting beliefs and unlock their potential by harnessing their passion, powerful minds, and the networks they already have.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or young professional, this episode will encourage you to reframe your self-doubt and start trusting your unique superpower. ⏱ Timestamped Overview

00:30 – Writing a book vs living the lessons: the reminder we all need. 01:08 – Grant’s passion for coaching and early stories from high school and university. 02:18 – Facing fear and self-doubt while coaching outside his comfort zone. 03:07 – Charles Cooley’s quote on self-perception and imposter syndrome. 04:46 – The three resources everyone already has: mind, resources, and network. 06:44 – Why people hesitate to use their networks and how to change that perspective. 08:28 – Finding your passion and realigning beliefs to live your purpose. 09:15 – How to get your copy of Thoughtonomy locally and internationally. 💬 Quote of the Episode

“I am not who I think I am. I am not who you think I am. I am what I think you think I am.” – Charles Cooley 👣 Relevant Links

Thoughtonomy Book: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy

Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.

Welcome to Chapter 1 of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this special solo episode, host Grant Gavin kicks off a new series diving into each chapter of his book, Thoughtonomy. Starting with Chapter 1, "Perceiving is Believing," Grant unpacks the concept behind the book’s title, the crucial difference between your conscious and unconscious mind, and why so many people struggle to act even when they know exactly what they should be doing. Grant Gavin is the author of Thoughtonomy, an entrepreneur, and the host of the Thoughtonomy Podcast. With a background in real estate leadership and coaching, Grant has spent years studying the link between human behavior, mindset, and performance. His mission is to inspire people to reclaim their independence of thought and take intentional control of their lives. This conversation explores the deep roots of our beliefs, the role of past conditioning in shaping our behavior, and how to start questioning whether your thoughts are truly your own. If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated, or like you have untapped potential, this episode will challenge you to rethink the invisible forces that guide your choices. ⏱ Timestamped Overview 00:12 – Introduction to the new chapter-by-chapter series of Thoughtonomy 00:15 – What Thoughtonomy really means (thoughts + autonomy, not economy) 01:16 – The right to think independently and govern your own life 02:07 – How unconscious beliefs influence frustration and feeling stuck 03:06 – Why talented people still struggle to follow a clear success blueprint 04:39 – The two parts of your brain: conscious goal-setter vs unconscious goal-getter 05:58 – How early-life conditioning shapes your beliefs and behaviour 06:57 – Are your thoughts truly your own, and are they serving you? 07:57 – Why your behaviour is a product of past conditioning and emotions 08:30 – Chapter 1’s big question: Are you seeing reality or your past experiences? 💬 Quote of the Episode "Your behavior does not define you; it’s defined by your past conditioning and emotions.” – Grant Gavin 👣 Relevant Links Thoughtonomy Book: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.

Welcome to Episode 15 of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this inspiring episode, host Grant Gavin sits down with Coach Trevor “Big T” Wolmarans, the founder of Knuckle Game Boxing Academy. From the underground music scene to elite-level boxing coaching, Trevor shares his journey of transformation, discipline, and legacy-building through the lens of family, community, and personal values. This episode explores what it really means to fight, not just in the ring, but in life.

Trevor Wolmarans, also known as Coach Big T, is the founder of Knuckle Game Boxing Academy in Durban. A former hardcore band frontman and tattoo studio employee, Trevor pivoted his life toward coaching and community building through boxing. With over 15 years of experience, Trevor has trained champions, built a loyal gym family, and is now mentoring his own son, a rising boxing talent, while creating impactful white-collar boxing events across KwaZulu-Natal.

Whether you're a parent, entrepreneur, coach, or young adult seeking direction, this conversation reminds us that respect, discipline, and self-awareness are tools to thrive in a tough world. ⏱ Timestamped Overview

00:50 – Introduction of Trevor Wolmarans and is move from Johannesburg to Durban and early gym days. 02:10 – His untold experiences as a lead singer in bands and tattooing experiences. 04:50 – Breaking stereotypes around fight gyms; building community and values through boxing. 08:10 – Opinions on society and teaching your children a discipline like fighting. 11:45 – Social media strategy and how posting clients built the brand organically. 14:00 – Boxing events as business and community building; white-collar boxing success. 17:30 – Parenting lessons: discipline, no sulking, and earning your way. 21:45 – Training his son: the emotional complexity of being both dad and coach. 28:50 – Final reflections and Trevor’s two life lessons for the next generation.

💬 Quote of the Episode

“You walk into our gym and you leave with a family.” – Trevor Wolmarans 👣 Relevant Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knucklegame_boxing_academy/ 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy

Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Thoughtonomy Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.