Through the Fog

Andrew Smith joins Pierre du Plessis for a deeply personal conversation about his debut memoir, Handwritten, and the long arc of building Yuppiechef from a lounge in Cape Town into one of South Africa’s best-loved retail brands. Andrew explains how 20 years of journals became the raw material for the book, why he chose to self-publish, and how the writing process became its own form of healing and reflection. They also explore the tension between public success and private struggle, the emotional cost of leadership, the role of family, and what changed after the sale of Yuppiechef. This is part founder story, part memoir, and part honest look at what it means to keep going when the outside world only sees the polished version.

Timestamps

(00:00) Why Andrew Smith returned for a second episode

(01:23) Turning 20 years of journals into Handwritten

(05:52) Choosing a chronological structure

(10:56) How AI helped with editing

(14:14) The “privileged whining” review

(18:19) Writing as healing

(22:13) Why Andrew self-published

(31:14) Emotional truth versus literal truth

(35:33) Should leaders hide fear from teams?

(41:12) The cost of entrepreneurial risk at home

(54:54) The handwritten card system

(63:56) From e-commerce to brick-and-mortar

(69:20) Life after the Mr Price sale

(76:39) Identity after Yuppiechef

(85:39) What Brave Hardy will not repeat

PJ Claasen, leadership coach and author of The Bok Way, reveals the methods that built the culture behind the Springboks' remarkable success and how any organisation can apply them. Drawing on interviews with players, coaches, and key strategists, he explores how trust, shared purpose, accountability, and continuous self-improvement create teams that consistently perform under pressure.

In this conversation, we unpack the deliberate culture behind the Springboks. From brutal honesty and clear standards to powerful shared narratives and personal responsibility, PJ shows how culture is built by design, not by chance.

Whether you're a founder, CEO, HR leader, or team builder, this episode offers practical insights into creating a high-performance environment built on trust, resilience, and purpose. If you want to build a team that executes exceptionally while adapting to change, this conversation is for you.

#Springboks, #team #culture, #leadership, #trust, #purpose, #rugby, #businessculture, #mentalmodels, #transformation

Sound bites:

"Brutal transparency builds trust"

"Share the responsibility, share the success"

"Create a culture of growth and continuous learning"

Chapters

00:00 Walking Together: The Importance of Presence

04:48 Understanding PJ: A Journey into Psychology and People

07:38 Creating a Culture of Connection in the Workplace

10:27 The Bok Way: Insights from the Springbok Rugby Team

13:20 The Process of Writing a Book: From Idea to Publication

16:03 The Central Thesis of The Bok Way

18:55 Lessons from the Springboks: Responsibility and Self-Development

21:24 Translating Sports Lessons to Business

24:26 The Meaning Crisis: Work, Purpose, and Action

27:13 Shared Purpose: The Heart of the Springbok Team

29:03 Transforming South African Rugby

31:21 The Power of Representation in Sports

32:42 Finding Purpose in Business

35:05 Aligning Values and Behaviors in Teams

39:02 Building Trust in High-Performance Teams

48:04 Cultivating a Culture of Growth

54:58 The Art of Mistake Management

57:35 Leadership and Responsibility

01:00:40 Building Brotherhood and Team Culture

01:06:07 Tradition vs. Innovation in Rugby

01:13:51 The Writing Journey and Personal Growth

01:20:39 Newsletter Outro.mp4

Resources

The Human Condition, Hannah Arendt - https://www.takealot.com/the-human-condition-second-edition/PLID49453017

The Bok Way by PJ - https://www.takealot.com/the-bok-way/PLID100225695?srsltid=AfmBOorUtWjTBARjOUp-XMay--p-Awc9_cI-FwqhvGmcrrkEXSO3Xb7L

Guest links:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pj-claasen-b9530553/

Website - https://purposeworks.co.za

The Bok Way - https://thebokway.co.za

More about Through the Fog and Pierre on https://thisispierre.co

Join Pierre du Plessis and Nic as they explore sensory seeking, burnout, success, AI's impact on work, and the art of being uniquely you. This episode offers deep insights into personal growth, entrepreneurship, and redefining success in a rapidly changing world. In this engaging conversation, Nic and Pierre explore the evolving landscape of AI, entrepreneurship, and the importance of building authentic, user-centered products. They discuss the shift from traditional creation to leveraging AI tools, the value of doing what you love, and how to navigate the future of technology with a focus on human experience.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Sensory Intelligence

09:31 Navigating Burnout and Identity

15:36 Redefining Success in Entrepreneurship

23:52 The Future of Work and AI's Impact

30:31 Challenging Identity in the Age of AI

31:27 The Concept of Improbable Lives

33:05 Strategy: Being Different in a Competitive World

36:26 Embracing Individuality and Unpredictability

37:55 The Role of AI in Business Efficiency

39:44 Art vs. Efficiency in the Age of AI

42:35 Creating for Yourself vs. Creating for Others

47:27 The Balance of Personal Passion and Market Needs

51:15 Building Apps in the Age of AI

55:20 Flounder Mode: Embracing Multiple Projects

58:57 Building the First Version of Your App

01:00:20 The Shift from Consumption to Creation

01:01:26 AI's Impact on Art and Software

01:03:13 The Value of Human Connection in Creativity

01:04:59 The Evolution of Technology and Its Acceptance

01:08:14 Understanding AI's Role in Creativity

01:10:58 The Nature of Writing and Thinking

01:13:19 The Limitations of AI in Creative Processes

01:16:55 The Misconceptions of AI Intelligence

01:19:42 The Human Element in Writing and Creativity

Resources

Sensory Intelligence: https://sensoryintelligence.com/

Rick Rubin's Creative Habit - https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Habit-Train-Your-Artist/dp/0316252974

Kevin Kelly's Thousand True Fans - https://kk.org/thetechnium/

Kevin Kelly's Flounder Mode - https://kk.org/thetechnium/kelly-flounder-mode/

Rick Rubin's Approach to Music Production - https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/rick-rubin-approach-to-music-122679/

Basecamp Software - https://basecamp.com/

Replit - https://replit.com/

Good Good Weeds App - https://goodgoodweeds.com/

Guest links

Nic Haralambous: https://www.nicharalambous.com/

Nic on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nic-haralambous/

No Bull Ship Academy: https://nobullship.co/

In this season finale of Through the Fog, host Pierre du Plessis dives deep with financial planner, entrepreneur, and thinker Nathan Mersereau. Broadcasting from opposite ends of the globe, Pierre and Nathan explore how our stories around money shape our lives, the pitfalls of measuring success purely through wealth, and the transformative power of introspection.

From soup kitchens to billionaire compounds, Nathan's story challenges listeners to reconsider what it means to be truly wealthy.

Links:

- True Wealth Assessment” and “Money Personality Quiz” https://planningalt.com/quiz-assessment-landing-page

- Book: The Untethered Soul, Michael A. Singer https://amzn.eu/d/eQdrl7Y

- Find Nathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-mersereau-cfp%C2%AE-a984761/

Timestamps:

00:00 - Where do you find yourself today?

01:48 - Tell us a bit about Nathan. Who are you?

04:40 - What is Nathan's craziest idea?

05:34 - What did you want to be when you were growing up?

08:22 - Did you think money was the ultimate marker of success?

10:38 - When did you realise what life is really about?

13:40 - Did you ever feel like money was tainted or wrong?

17:06 - Why do you think people are so obsessed with money?

20:08 - Why is money the marker that we use?

23:12 - When is enough, enough?

29:02 - Have you encountered wealthy people who aren’t lonely?

32:25 - How did you get to that point of seeing wealth differently?

36:34 - How do the habits that create success become imprisoning?

43:35 - What are some practical steps to self-reflect and start a new path?

47:58 - Are those communities you described the wealthiest people on the planet?

50:19 - Is money objectively scarce or abundant?

54:55 - What’s the soup story Miranda told me to ask about?

58:09 - How do you make big life decisions?

01:12:46 - What’s one of the worst decisions you’ve ever made?

01:14:42 - Have you had the chance to speak to your father about that?

01:16:55 - What lies ahead for you?

01:24:09 - What is a quote that you live by?

01:25:47 - Where can people find you online if they want to connect or follow you? “True Wealth Assessment” and “Money Personality Quiz” · Book: The Untethered Soul, Michael A. Singer · Find Nathan

In this episode of Through the Fog, Pierre sits down with Guy Ellis, global entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of the Lekker Network. With over 60 board, advisory, and founder roles, Guy shares a wealth of insight into entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, and the power of helping others. From his roots as a wannabe “Dr. Farmer” to his groundbreaking work at Harvard and across global markets, Guy explores how authentic connection can unlock transformative opportunities. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about patriotism, privilege, purpose, and how South Africans can—and are—changing the world.

Links:

Guy Ellis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-ellis/

Guy's first book is out soon: The Negotiation Code

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and quick banter

01:00 - Meet Guy Ellis: Global entrepreneur & Harvard instructor

02:25 - The origin of a “Dr. Farmer” dream

04:50 - Helping others and early signs of a mission

06:00 - Defining “Expansion through Connection”

07:30 - Is the self-made man a myth?

09:30 - A pivotal moment: reshaping a business from scratch

13:50 - The origin story of the Lekker Network

17:30 - Building intentional, impactful networks

20:50 - The importance of helping without agenda

23:30 - Living abroad but loving South Africa

27:00 - What it means to be South African

30:00 - Fixing South Africa: Right person, right seat

34:00 - South African talent and the Springboks metaphor

36:00 - Challenges in government and business alignment

39:00 - How small business owners can make change

41:00 - What gives Guy hope for the country

44:00 - South Africans abroad: Not traitors, just dispersed impact

46:00 - The uniquely South African spirit of friendliness and resilience

49:00 - The cultural magic of meeting South Africans abroad

51:30 - Emotional connection and nostalgia for home

54:00 - The role of adversity in creating grit and talent

56:00 - Overcoming scarcity mindsets

58:00 - Celebrating informal connections and spontaneous chats

1:00:00 - Picking South Africa’s “one thing” to rally around

1:02:00 - The challenge of focus in national strategy

1:04:00 - Harnessing the power of South Africans globally

1:07:00 - Reclaiming civic agency: citizens should direct the government

1:10:00 - Breaking free from limiting narratives and perceived disloyalty

1:13:00 - Creating the bridge from now to a brighter future

1:16:00 - Humility vs. self-deprecation among South Africans

1:18:00 - Closing thoughts: freedom, connection, and what comes next