Thoughtonomy

Stefan Botha, the founder of Rainmaker Marketing, one of South Africa’s leading property development marketing agencies. In this honest, insightful conversation, Stefan shares the story of Rainmaker’s early challenges, how a stint as a game ranger shaped his leadership style, and what it took to build a niche business through grit, relationships, and long-term thinking. If you’ve ever started a business (or thought about it), this episode offers a grounded perspective on the emotional, financial, and leadership journey of entrepreneurship — from imposter syndrome to payroll stress and beyond. Stefan Botha is the Managing Director of Rainmaker Marketing, a Durban-based agency that specializes in bringing property developments to market through research-driven marketing strategy and execution. With 13+ years leading Rainmaker, Stefan has worked across KZN and South Africa on some of the country’s most ambitious residential and mixed-use precincts. Prior to his career in marketing, Stefan worked as a game ranger, a role that unexpectedly taught him the people skills and presence he would later rely on as a business leader. ⏱ Timestamped Overview 00:50 – Stefan reflects on the naivety that helped him start Rainmaker 00:52 – Grant and Stefan’s 30-year friendship from Northwood School 02:41 – From directionless student to rediscovering real estate roots 05:01 – How two years as a game ranger shaped Stefan’s people-first approach 07:10 – Why building strong relationships matters more than ever 10:04 – The messy early days of Rainmaker Marketing 11:53 – Hiring challenges and vision-building with no track record 13:24 – Imposter syndrome, conviction, and pushing through doubt 15:32 – A near-collapse: struggling to make payroll 16:40 – A turning point: doubling down on a niche in property 18:12 – Explaining Rainmaker’s unique gap in the property marketing space 21:11 – Learning from others: Stefan’s take on growth, mentorship, and scaling 24:40 – KZN’s property rise: the truth behind the North Coast boom 29:42 – Reframing KZN’s narrative: what the data and developments show 31:32 – Advice for young entrepreneurs: slow growth, mentorship, and real relationships 37:25 – The loneliness of entrepreneurship & the importance of community 39:01 – From technician to team leader: learning to let go 41:30 – Final reflections on leadership, growth, and self-awareness 💬 Quote of the Episode “It takes a village to build a business. You don't do it alone and you can't.” – Stefan Botha 👣 Relevant Links LinkedIn:   / stefan-botha-83b5303   Rainmaker Facebook:   / rainmakermarketing   Rainmaker Instagram:   / rainmaker_marketing   Rainmaker Website: https://rainmakermarketing.co.za/ 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Thoughtonomy Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ Instagram:   / grant_gavin0   Facebook:   / ggavin   LinkedIn:   / grant-gavin-9a120a4   YouTube:    / @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. 

In this episode of Thoughtonomy, host Grant Gavin is joined by Fiona McCarthy, an entrepreneur, leadership facilitator, and mother—who brings raw honesty to the conversation around balance, burnout, and being human in business. 
Fiona opens up about the emotional toll of running a business while raising a family, the courage it takes to be vulnerable, and how she learned to ask for help after years of doing it all. Through powerful insights on identity, purpose, and trusting the process, Fiona reminds us that balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about alignment. 
👉 Tune in for a conversation that’s both grounding and inspiring, filled with wisdom for anyone navigating leadership, motherhood, or simply being seen. 
Show Notes 
📌 Episode Highlights: 
[00:00] Introduction to Fiona and her multi-faceted world 
[03:50] Why running a business as a mother can be both fulfilling and isolating 
[08:45] Identity, worth, and the struggle of wearing too many hats 
[15:30] Vulnerability in leadership and asking for help 
[21:40] Building trust and support in business partnerships 
[27:15] The illusion of balance and what alignment really looks like 
[34:00] Final words: Give yourself permission to slow down 
🎙️ Guest Bio Fiona McCarthy is a leadership consultant, speaker, and founder of a dynamic family-run business. With a background in coaching and people development, Fiona’s work centers on creating space for leaders—especially women—to lead with authenticity, self-trust, and clarity. 
🔗 Fiona McCarthy: 
https://www.instagram.com/fiona.g.mccarthy/  
https://app.radioplayzn.co.za/  
 
📩 Connect with Us: 
Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin  
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. 
 

In this episode of Thoughtonomy, Grant Gavin sits down with powerhouse speaker, coach, and author Burgette Yarlett. Together, they explore the deep roots of self-worth, imposter syndrome, and what it really takes to back yourself in a world full of noise and self-doubt. Burgette shares her personal journey of overcoming rejection, the mental reprogramming that helped her see herself clearly, and how she uses storytelling to inspire others. From the courage to own your voice to the discipline required to align with your calling, this conversation will light a fire under anyone ready to take ownership of their narrative. 👉 Tune in to discover how to build an unshakable belief in yourself—even when fear is loud and doubt is real. 🔗 Listen now: [Insert Link] #SelfBelief #Confidence #OvercomingDoubt #ThoughtonomyPodcast  Show Notes 📌 Episode Highlights: [00:00] Introduction to Burgette and her story of resilience [05:15] Imposter syndrome and overcoming rejection [10:50] Building self-belief and choosing discipline [16:30] How the stories we tell shape our confidence and direction [23:00] Practicing ownership over your life and choices [30:45] Shifting from self-doubt to self-affirmation [38:10] Final words: You are already enough 🎙️ Guest Bio Burgette Yarlett is a South African speaker, leadership coach, and author who equips individuals to lead powerfully by rewriting their inner dialogue. With a background in public speaking and coaching, she helps professionals unlock self-belief, build resilience, and walk confidently in their calling. 🔗 Burgette Yarlett: https://www.instagram.com/burgette.yarlett/  https://www.beyondvisiblebelief.com/more-about-me  https://www.linkedin.com/in/burgette-yarlett-29380958/   📩 Connect with Us: Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin  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. #SelfWorth #Leadership #Confidence #ThoughtonomyPodcast  

On this episode of the Thoughtonomy Podcast, host Grant Gavin welcomes Dave Allen, a distinguished South African police reservist and body language expert. With over 30 years of experience in law enforcement and public speaking, Dave talks about his diverse career trajectory that has led him to train elite units, such as the FBI, in the United States. Throughout the conversation, Dave shares insights from his work on leadership training and decoding body language, offering practical advice on how to make strong first impressions and understand the subconscious signals people give off. He delves into topics like the importance of respect and manners, the subtle cues of body language in business and negotiations, and the significance of teaching effective communication skills. Dave also discusses his new book, "Decoding Body Language," and provides tips for parents on understanding their children's unspoken messages. Join us for an engaging discussion filled with actionable tips and compelling stories from Dave’s extensive career.Find out more about the Thoughtonomy book at - Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ Grant Website: https://grantgavin.com/about-grant/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thought_onomy/ Grant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNh3exoKIcgVwxo4jWhIf4CHdtmbiJhn Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/30PLt1Jci2tC0oTreCbhqAApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/thoughtonomy/id1758997637🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

In this episode of the Thoughtonomy Podcast, Grant Gavin delves into an inspiring journey with our guest, Sbu. Sbu is a charismatic barista who has overcome challenging circumstances to build an award-winning coffee business, Coffee Lab, in South Africa. Grant sits down with Sbu to explore his remarkable life story, from growing up in difficult conditions in Zimbabwe to becoming a prominent figure in the coffee industry. Sbu shares how he harnessed the power of positivity, resistance, and self-awareness to navigate a path from survival to stability and, ultimately, success. Discover the profound impact of mentorship, the importance of culture, and how Sbu is paying it forward by mentoring others through his Coffee Academy. This episode promises valuable insights into resilience, personal growth, and the unwavering pursuit of one's dreams. 👉 Tune in as we uncover lessons in leadership, energy, and living from within in this transformative episode.📌 Episode Highlights: 00:00 Coffee Shop Connection in Office03:24 "Sbu's Inspirational Life Story"07:27 Fighting for My Place10:02 Meeting People at A'Zambezi Lodge15:15 "Finding Shelter and Responsibility"19:12 Struggling with Inner Turmoil24:13 Empathetic Leadership Approach28:23 Lessons in Life and Culture31:54 Coffee Consultant's Uplifting Journey36:25 Giving Back Through Experience39:28 "Live from Within"Find out more about the Thoughtonomy book at - Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ Grant Website: https://grantgavin.com/about-grant/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thought_onomy/ Grant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNh3exoKIcgVwxo4jWhIf4CHdtmbiJhn Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/30PLt1Jci2tC0oTreCbhqAApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/thoughtonomy/id1758997637

Grant Gavin sits down with speaker, author, business owner and coach Cindy Norcott about all things writing, speaking and energy management. 
Throughout our conversation, Cindy shares insightful anecdotes from her career, including writing her bestseller "How to Be Unstoppable," and offers practical advice on self-acceptance, goal-setting, and managing energy and priorities. Grant and Cindy also discuss the challenges and triumphs of writing and self-publishing books, the importance of setting deadlines, and using books as powerful business tools.
Together, they explore the balance between personal and professional life, the essence of emotional connection over mere information, and the rewarding journey of embracing one's true self. Join us for a candid and uplifting dialogue on pursuing dreams, self-belief, and living a life of fulfilled potential. Let's dive into it right here, from TIM Studios in Hillcrest.
📚 Timestamped overview
00:31 Discussing underselling and writing a book journey.
06:22 Prioritize energy: put yourself first.
09:27 Self-care is essential for giving effectively.
10:34 Prioritize important things by giving time.
15:10 Writing is easy, but timing is critical.
17:51 Life experiences form an amalgamated personal perspective.
21:24 Guilt defined the author’s experience as a working mom.
24:24 Daughter overachieved in arts despite expectations.
27:41 Overachiever shares vulnerable side through storytelling.
32:11 Believe in yourself and share your story.
33:10 Know your content, and speak naturally and confidently.
39:26 Believe in yourself; write despite doubts.
42:52 Grant's book Practical Wisdom, Immediate Implementation is recommended.
43:33 Advocate different perspectives and follow dreams confidently.
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNh3exoKIcgVwxo4jWhIf4CHdtmbiJhn
Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/30PLt1Jci2tC0oTreCbhqA
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/thoughtonomy/id1758997637

In Episode 8 of the Thoughtonomy Podcast, host Grant Gavin dives deep into the concept of Ikigai and the journey of discovering one’s purpose. In this insightful solo episode, Grant breaks down the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai, which translates to "a reason for being," and explores how aligning passion, profession, mission, and vocation can lead to a truly fulfilled and purposeful life. He shares practical advice on finding clarity amidst the noise and how to identify what makes you feel most alive. Whether you're at a crossroads or simply looking to understand yourself better, this episode offers valuable tools and perspectives to help you uncover your unique purpose. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that will inspire you to live a life of meaning and fulfillment.

In this heartwarming and reflective episode of the Thoughtonomy Podcast, host Grant Gavin sits down with Jane Linley-Thomas, a celebrated radio personality and public speaker, to explore the profound themes of self-love, identity, and living authentically. Jane shares her personal journey of leaving behind a successful 20-year career at East Coast Radio to rediscover her purpose, despite the challenges and fears that came with such a significant life change. The conversation highlights the importance of embracing one’s uniqueness, overcoming societal conditioning, and finding happiness in authenticity. With candid stories about parenthood, body image, and navigating life’s ups and downs, this episode offers a powerful message about self-compassion and courage. Recorded at the Tim Studios in Hillcrest, it’s an inspiring dialogue on reclaiming your voice and living a life of purpose.

In this solo episode of the Thoughtonomy Podcast, Grant Gavin dives deep into the art of time management and how mastering it can help you live your life by design. Grant shares practical insights and five key principles that can transform the way you manage your most valuable resource: time. From understanding the root causes of poor time management to learning the importance of saying no, this episode provides actionable advice to help you take control of your day and, ultimately, your life. If you're looking to maximize your productivity and achieve your goals with intention, this episode is for you.