Insights

Stories from the edge of possibility. Whether navigating Arctic extremes or guiding transformative change, these reflections explore what happens when we push beyond perceived limits. Expect honest insights, practical wisdom, and real experiences from both frozen frontiers and human potential.

January 28, 2025

Gerry van der Walt - Life Coach - Mental Health Coach - Health and Wellness Coach

Understanding Loneliness

This isn't just about being physically alone - it represents a complex psychological state where our social needs remain unmet, regardless of the quantity of our interactions.

January 27, 2025

Understanding Depression

Depression is so much more than feeling down—it’s a profound shift in how your brain perceives and interacts with the world. Imagine your mind as an operating system running a program that alters everything.

January 26, 2025

Understanding Anxiety

Anxiety operates as one of our most sophisticated internal systems - an evolutionary gift that helped our ancestors survive and continues to shape how we navigate modern challenges.

January 25, 2025

Life Lessons from a Hiking Trail

This morning's 12km trail, weighted with 10kg, taught me an unflinching truth: the heaviest loads we carry aren't always the ones strapped to our backs.

January 24, 2025

A Guide to Exercise and Mental Health

When individuals exercise, their brains undergo a sophisticated series of chemical changes that directly influence mental state and emotional resilience.

January 24, 2025

Emotional Intelligence: The Hidden Operating System of Success

Think of emotional intelligence (EQ) as your brain's social operating system - it's running constantly in the background, influencing every interaction, decision, and relationship in your life.

January 23, 2025

When the Light Goes Out: Finding Your Way Back from the Darkest Places

Right now, your only job is to stay. Stay here. Stay alive. Let others help carry this weight until you're strong enough to see your own worth again. Dawn always comes, even if you can't see it yet.

January 22, 2025

Breaking the Overthinking Cycle: When Your Greatest Asset Becomes Your Heaviest Chain

The mind of an overthinker is both a masterpiece of analysis and a labyrinth of endless possibilities. It's the gift that helped you excel, the curse that keeps you awake at night, and the double-edged sword that both creates and destroys opportunities.

January 21, 2025

Understanding CBT: When Your Mind Becomes Both the Battlefield and the Path Forward

CBT isn't about diving endlessly into emotional depths. It's about finding practical ways to work with your mind rather than against it.

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Weekly notes on pushing boundaries and living deliberately. Join me for honest insights from polar expedition training, coaching experiences, and personal growth moments. Practical wisdom for your own journey, whether that's tackling anxiety, chasing big goals, or simply choosing to live more boldly.

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