44 years ago, Mark met his wife Christine while engaging in youth work in townships, prisons and various church groups. In 1988, after studying in the US, Mark and Christine founded a church and school in the town of Empangeni, Kwa Zulu Natal. In 1990, they moved to Durban starting Grace Family Church. Over 30 years Mark played a leadership role in bringing Grace to its current status which includes 5 campuses, a large staff compliment and a diverse congregation. Recently, after over 30...

In this episiode, we talk to professional South African mountain bike rider, Omphile Motaung. Omphile found out at an early age what it takes to navigate adversity. After losing her Dad at age 8, she then lost her mom to cancer at age 14, resulting in her entering into the foster home system. Omphile talks openly with us around what it took for her to break through her limitations, both self imposed and imposed by others. Her story reveals the way endurance events can teach us so ...

In this episode, we return to one of our previous guests, Madz Deysel, as we continue with a focus on mental health. Our previous conversations with Madz got a lot of traction and feedback so it is a pleasure to have her back again! In this conversation with Madz, we talk about the idea that if you can define it, you can defeat it. As Madz says, depression is something that starts with an unprocessed thought. So often, people are struggling but are unsure as to the cause of their strugg...

In this episode, we talk all things Cause Driven Endurance with Ingrid Avidon. Last year Ingrid set herself a challenge to complete 12 endurance events every month of the year! We explore each of those in more detail and find our what Ingrid has learned through tackling these ambitious goals. We find out more about her passion; to diversity the endurance world by encouraging more woman to take part, as well as to create endurance opportunities for those who cant afford to take part in mains...

This episode is dedicated to all of those who are actively working to address needs within our society, but are struggling with the constant onslaught of challenges. It’s tough to continuously wade against the tide, taking three steps forward and two steps back. In this episode we speak to Raymond Perrier. Raymond is the Director of the Denis Hurley Centre, an interfaith community centre in the heart of Durban, South Africa, working with the the poor and marginalised. In this e...

We continue our conversations around Mental Health in The Middle by unpacking functional depression with Dr Wendy Greyvensteyn. Wendy has a PHD in Clinical Psychology, runs her own private practice and is a sought out public speaker. Many of us will identify with what it means to be functioning in our daily lives, achieving goals, being affirmed for what we do, portraying a picture of success yet having an inner world in turmoil. We may be experiencing a strong desire to withdraw or isolate...

In this episode we talk to Travis Warwick Oliver, who has certainly turned tragedy into triumph. In 2020, Travis was involved in a motocross accident which resulted in the amputation of his right leg below the knee. Prior to the accident, Travis was a personal trainer and an avid ultra-marathon runner, swimmer and all-round thrill seeker. I (Travis Gale, founder of The Middle) met Travis 422 days after his amputation at the start line of Ultra Trail Drakensberg 100 miler trail race, wh...

In this episode we unpack what do to when we FEEL STUCK. Feeling stuck comes with tough emotions such as regret, frustration and anger and could, if not dealt with, lead to depression, anxiety or burnout. In this episode, we unpack some practical insights which you can apply to your context if you feel stuck right now. We make some links back to previous episodes, especially our conversation with Madz Deyzel in episode 2. This episode will leave you with some practical next steps...

This is a start of a series of conversations around the topic of Mental Health. So many are navigating The Middle with limited capacity, feeling overwhelmed and seriously fatigued. When we are in that space we are tempted to check out, have no energy for relationships, feel anxious more often and battle to make decisions. We need to talk about it! In this episode we begin out conversation with Madz Deyzel. Madz directs Edify - Building the Soul, an organisation which equips lay counsellors ...

Mlondi's journey has been one of staying true to who he is, and what he is passionate about, despite adversity. Growing up in rural South Africa, the expectation was to do well at school and continue on to an 'accepted' profession; teacher, policemen or lawyer. Mlondi knew that was not his path. He thought creatively. He had a vivid imagination. And he found his authentic expression through dance. What does it take for a young man growing up in that context to stay true to his passion...