The Coach G Show

Motivation doesn’t last.Discipline does.In this episode, Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp) explains why relying on motivation is one of the biggest mistakes rugby players and coaches make — and how real discipline is built through identity, systems, and clarity.📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecIf you’re tired of starting strong and fading, this episode will help you reset your approach to performance, training, and life.00:00 Welcome and Community Engagement01:39 Discipline vs. Motivation: Understanding the Concepts06:21 The Role of Discipline in Achieving Goals16:04 Creating a Personal Operating System25:24 Positive vs. Negative Distractions and Their Impact29:16 Community Support and Closing Thoughts32:14 Looking Ahead: The Future of the Coach G ShowFollow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshowFollow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

In this episode of The Coach G Show, Coach G is joined again by Zeenat Simjee (RD) — performance dietitian and former Springbok nutritionist — for a deep dive into human performance.📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecThey unpack the hidden habits that crush energy and focus: inconsistent eating, poor sleep routines, doom-scrolling, and using caffeine to mask fatigue. Zeenat shares practical systems for athletes and professionals: improving sleep quality, managing caffeine timing, building movement into the workday, and using behavior-change principles (habit stacking, tracking, rewards) to make performance sustainable.00:00 — The Real Problem: No Credible Nutrition Guidance01:06 — Intro: Nutrition Systems That Boost Performance Under Pressure03:03 — Schools, Social Media Noise & Making Nutrition Accessible05:19 — Coach Life Audit: Habits, Routines & The “Operating System”07:17 — Poor Performance Habits: Irregular Eating, Screens & “Band-Aid” Fixes09:42 — Recovery Pyramid: Stop Chasing Saunas Before Fixing Sleep & Food14:08 — How Much Sleep Do You Really Need? Consistency vs Catch-Up16:21 — Quality Over Quantity: Wearables, Intuition & the Placebo Trap20:48 — Sleep Inertia, Bedtime Routine & Blue-Light Damage31:34 — Caffeine for Performance: Doses, Timing, Tolerance & Hidden Sources45:38 — Corporate = Sport: Burnout Is a Systems Problem (Food, Movement, Meetings)01:03:11 — Behavior Change Blueprint: Values, Low-Hanging Fruit, Habit Stacking & TrackingIf you want more energy, better focus, and consistency under pressure — this one’s for you.Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshowFollow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

Everyone talks about goals at the end of the year.Very few people talk about identity.In this episode, Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp) explains why waiting for the New Year — or 2026 — is the reason most people stay stuck, frustrated, and inconsistent.This conversation is about:Why New Year’s resolutions don’t lastWhy identity matters more than motivationHow habits are really formed (and broken)What high performers do differentlyWhy clarity, systems, and standards matter more than hype📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecWhether you’re a rugby player, a coach, or someone chasing high performance in life, this episode will challenge the way you think about change.If you want to stop restarting and start becoming, this one is for you.🎙️ Press play and start the reset — now.

Basil Carzis rarely steps into the spotlight — but his work shaped some of the most dominant rugby teams in history.📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecAs the strength & conditioning architect behind the Bulls dynasty and the 2007 World Cup Springboks, Basil helped build a culture of belief, brutal standards, and relentless execution.In this episode, Basil and Gurthro Steenkamp go deep into:What truly creates mental toughnessWhy standards must be lived, not spokenHow elite teams build belief through actionLeadership, trust, and accountability under pressureThe real comeback story behind Gurthro’s career revival00:00 – The Journey Behind the Trophy01:07 – Meet Basil Carzis: Standards, Belief & a Plan02:49 – Life in Argentina & What Amateur Rugby Reminds You04:25 – 2007 Final: The Moment Belief Took Over07:24 – The Bulls Dynasty: Vision + Alignment + Standards09:26 – “World-Class + 15%”: How Standards Were Set13:34 – Train the Game: Why Everything Was Built Around Match Reality15:54 – Trust & Competition: Why Players Emptied the Tank23:52 – The George Camp Story: Breaking Physical & Mental Limits32:41 – The 140kg Comeback: No Judgment, Only Execution44:02 – Gym Culture: Standards That Pulled Everyone Up54:26 – Why 2008 Collapsed After Winning It All58:31 – How 2009–2010 Reignited the Machine01:02:44 – Johan van Graan: The “Do Anything” Coach BlueprintThis is not a hype conversation.This is a truthful, raw look at what it really takes to win.

Coach G shares a powerful idea: take out the trash. 📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecNot just from your fridge—but from your mind and environment. This episode tackles the “trash” that destroys performance: doubt, negative self-talk, toxic people, poor habits, fatigue triggers, and living in the past. You’ll get a simple reset framework (reset & reframe, positive distraction, good habits, clear goals) to help you show up stronger, fitter, and more

In this episode, Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp) sits down with Brian Liebenberg, former French international and creator of the Catch & Think cognitive training method, to explore the one skill modern rugby has forgotten — attention.📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - ⁠https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecBrian breaks down how attention, vision and cognitive load shape decision-making, why players struggle to process information under pressure, and how coaches can simplify learning and improve performance.He also shares stories from the golden era of Stade Français, his transition after injury, rebuilding purpose, and taking cognitive methods into the corporate world.A must-listen for players, coaches, parents, and leaders who want to think faster, play smarter, and perform at a higher level.00:00 – Goldfish Attention Span & Brain Training00:51 – Introducing Brian Liebenberg & Catch and Think03:09 – Did South Africa “Steal” the 2023 World Cup?05:31 – Why Everyone Loves to Hate the Springboks07:54 – Inside the Golden Era at Stade Français12:22 – Culture, Characters & Max Guazzini’s Influence19:20 – Career-Ending Injury & The Reality of Pro Rugby23:53 – The Difficult Transition After Rugby28:38 – The Birth of Catch and Think35:33 – How Catch and Think Trains the Brain56:38 – Cognitive Training in the Corporate World01:03:52 – Productivity vs Busyness: Lessons From Rugby01:06:15 – Leadership, Communication & High-Performance Teams01:10:56 – Turning an Idea Into a Business After Rugby📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec

In this short, punchy episode, Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp) unpacks The Athlete Operating System – a simple framework to bring order to your life so you can perform better on the field.📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecHe covers:Morning activation: hydration, breathing, journaling and clear daily prioritiesTrain with purpose: choosing focus points for every session so you’re not a “headless chicken”Review system: two wins, one work-on, and learning faster from every trainingDistraction system: managing social media, cognitive load and screen timeEvening shutdown: reviewing your day, setting tomorrow’s targets and protecting your sleepIf your life is chaotic, your rugby will be chaotic too. This episode helps you reset your daily habits so you can become a more consistent, confident and dangerous player.Share this with a teammate or coach who needs to hear it, and if you enjoy the show, please follow and leave a review – it really supports the podcast.Chapters00:00 – Why You Need an Athlete Operating System01:09 – Morning Activation: Hydrate & Prime Your Mind03:32 – Morning Mantras: Win the First 10 Minutes04:45 – Train With Purpose, Not Chaos06:30 – The Review System: Two Wins, One Work-On08:17 – The Distraction System: Beating Mental Clutter13:03 – Evening Shutdown: Review Your Day & Sleep Better15:30 – Recap: The Five Parts of the Athlete OS18:40 – Applying the Athlete OS to Coaches25:08 – Community Updates, Scrum Courses & Final MessageFollow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshowFollow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

World-class defence strategist Omar Mouneimne returns to The Coach G Show for a masterclass on modern rugby defence, aggression, mindset, and systems.📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecIn this episode, Omar breaks down how the game has evolved, why defensive systems are failing or succeeding, and what players and coaches must understand to perform at the highest level.This conversation is packed with practical insights, elite frameworks, and real stories from years inside top performance environments.👉 In this episode, we cover:• Why modern attack creates chaos — and how defence must evolve• The fundamentals every defence coach must master• Blitz vs Super Blitz vs Drift — when each system works• How to stop offloads, momentum and “basketball rugby”• Developing aggression and collision dominance• Helping players who’ve lost confidence or their defensive “mojo”• Situational awareness and reading pictures under pressure• Physicality, mindset, periodisation, and match demands• How elite coaches manage mental load and maintain balance• What truly separates top defenders from average onesChapters00:00 Introduction and Background03:50 The Evolution of Defense in Rugby06:31 Defending Against Modern Attacks10:05 The Impact of Tackling Techniques12:29 Situational Awareness in Defense17:46 Defensive Systems Explained20:59 Fundamentals of Coaching Defense25:49 Traits of a Successful Defensive Player30:54 Coaching Mental Load and Balance39:43 Building Aggression in Players46:20 Overcoming Loss of Mojo51:07 The Importance of Family and Balance54:59 Misconceptions in Defensive Strategies01:01:44 Conclusion and Future InsightsWhether you’re a player, coach, or someone who loves understanding the deeper layers of rugby, this episode is essential listening.Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshowFollow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

This Ireland v Springboks clash in Dublin was more than just a Test match – it was an emotional rematch after the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The singing, the criticism, the pain… and a Bok team that arrived with one mission: dominate and destroy.📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecIn this short-form episode of The Coach G Show, I break down:How the Springbok defence, collisions and line speed set the toneThe evolution of the Bok attack – from mauls and scrums to skillful, multi-layered attackWhy the scrum became a true weapon and what that means for young propsTactical awareness, red brain vs blue brain, and how emotion and red cards shaped the gameTackle technique, extras after training and reviewing a tough performance when you’ve been dominatedChapters00:00 Emotional Rematch: Springboks vs Ireland03:07 Defensive Strategies: Trusting the System05:04 Evolution of Springbok Attack07:27 Tactical Awareness: Control Your Emotions11:46 Tackle Technique: Skills for Success16:03 Dominance in the Scrum: A Weapon of Mass Destruction21:01 Props: Adding Value Beyond Scrummaging23:12 Physicality and Discipline: Keys to Winning26:33 Continuous Improvement: Learning from Defeat29:03 Looking Ahead: The Future of the Coach G ShowThis episode is for young rugby players and aspiring coaches who want to learn from big games, not just react to the scoreline.If you want to go deeper into analysis, scrums, mindset and resilience, join my private community Coach G Level Up on Skool – a space for players and coaches who are serious about levelling up their game.Please follow the show, leave a rating, and share this with a teammate or coach who needs these lessons from Ireland v Springboks.Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshowFollow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

In the first episode of The Coach G Show, I open the curtain on my evolution — from player, to mentor, to coach, and now to building something bigger than ever.📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecThis episode explores identity, setbacks, growth, and the truth behind how “Coach G” was created.If you’re here to level up in rugby, coaching, leadership or life, this is where the new chapter begins.Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshowFollow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

In this short-form episode, Springbok performance dietician Zeenat Simjee breaks down the truth about performance nutrition for rugby players. She explains why carbs are king, how to fuel during the week, the mistakes players make on intense training days, and why gut tolerance, timing, and recovery matter more than any pre-match meal.📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecThis is essential listening for young players and coaches who want to prepare like professionals.Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/thecoachgshowFollow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

Paul Willemse joins me for a deeply personal conversation about identity, sacrifice, belonging and the moment he had to walk away from the game he loved.Coach G's Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecHe opens up about:• Choosing France over the Springboks — and the emotional cost• Living between two nations and two identities• Public criticism and pressure from both sides• The mental battle behind repeated concussions• Being forced into retirement before he was ready• Losing confidence, rebuilding purpose and finding life after rugby• What players really struggle with behind the scenes• Fatherhood, family and redefining himself outside the sportChapter: 00:00 Tunnel Dreams & Early Emotions01:40 Split Between Two Nations04:10 France vs Springboks: Inside the Stadium07:25 Singing Both Anthems: Identity & Pride09:54 The Emotional Return to Stade de France13:02 Growing Up Massive: The Weight Story17:34 South African Size: Culture, Genetics & Mindset22:29 Leaving the Bulls & Choosing France31:09 France as a New Home & Early Struggles39:17 First Test for France & Closing the Bok Dream54:27 Concussions, Retirement & Losing Identity1:10:56 Life After Rugby: Purpose, Mental Health & New ProjectsIf you’re a player, coach, or someone navigating transition, this episode will speak to you.

In this episode, Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp) breaks down five powerful lessons the Springboks taught us in their performance against France — lessons that every player and coach can apply immediately.📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecDrawing from firsthand conversations with players, coaches, and former teammates at Stade de France, we dive into the mindset, decision-making, and on-field behaviours that separated the Boks on the day.Why emotion alone won’t win you Test matchesThe Red Card Mindset and how elite teams stay calm with 14 menWhat real team sacrifice looks like (inside Siya Kolisi’s 100th test)How the Boks played to their strengths when it mattered mostThe Next Job Mindset that keeps players in the fight after mistakesThis episode was recorded live during a session inside my Coach G Level Up community — where players and coaches join weekly to learn, grow, and sharpen their rugby IQ.If you’d like to be part of those weekly breakdowns, you can find the link in the description or DM me the word “community” on Instagram.00:00 Introduction and Community Engagement01:31 Key Lessons from the Springbok Game03:44 The Role of Emotion in Performance06:06 Understanding the Red Card Mindset08:53 Team Sacrifice and Individual Roles11:45 Playing to Your Strengths15:32 Staying in the Fight18:47 Q&A and Community InteractionFollow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromthegamepodcastFollow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

In this Lessons from the Game episode, Coach G (Gurthro Steenkamp) talks with Steph du Toit (La Rochelle S&C coach) about how to build player trust, manage different personalities, and develop true high-performance habits.📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecSteph opens up about lessons learned from Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber, the secrets behind elite conditioning, and how caring, honesty, and participation earn player respect.Perfect for rugby coaches, players, and performance-driven professionals.00:00 – The Blueprint for Success01:09 – Welcome & Episode Setup05:53 – Stormers’ Winning Recipe09:00 – What Hasn’t Changed Since 200711:15 – Season Planning (Pre/In/Off)14:06 – Measuring Progress That Matters16:01 – What “Coachable” Really Means20:36 – Advice to Coaches: Prep & Ethics32:18 – Training Without a Gym36:02 – Scrum-Strong: Key Lifts & Mobility42:30 – How Much Scrum Time Is Enough?57:04 – Setbacks & Mindset ResetFollow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromthegamepodcastFollow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

Short-form preview of France vs South Africa with Coach G and French agent Damien Dussault. 📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecWe explore whether this is truly a “revenge” match, how France metabolised the RWC 2023 exit, and why controlled emotion + clear systems will decide it. Key focus areas: aerial contest, ruck speed, discipline, and set piece—plus players to watch (Ramos, Ntamack, Fickou, Bok back three, Marx & co.).If you enjoy this pod, follow, rate, and share with a teammate.Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromthegamepodcastFollow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

Veteran sports writer Simnikiwe Xabanisa joins Gurthro Steenkamp to reflect on 25 years of South African rugby, the lessons he’s learned from covering the Springboks, and why he believes that “life is a team game.”📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecThis episode dives deep into the evolution of the Boks, the media’s changing role, and the mindset that defines great teams and great people. It’s a conversation about truth, resilience and connection — on and off the field.ChaptersTotally—here’s a tighter set (12 chapters) you can paste straight into YouTube/Spotify:00:00 – Cold open: “Life is a team game”01:36 – Intro & why Sim’s here07:17 – SA Rugby’s evolution: 2000s to Rassie22:16 – How player access & media changed27:57 – What a rugby journalist really does (context > clicks)35:26 – Coaching, performance & integrity (scrum “cheat codes”)44:40 – Why the Boks keep winning: continuity, depth, transformation56:09 – The rise of Sasha Feinberg-Mngomezulu58:14 – France vs Springboks: rivalry, emotion, stakes01:06:51 – Habits behind a 25-year journalism career01:14:22 – Setback to comeback: Sim’s toughest years01:28:06 – Closing thoughts & what’s nextFollow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromthegamepodcastFollow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

In this episode, Andrew Trimble shares what it took for Ireland to finally beat the All Blacks in Chicago 2016.📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecFrom the belief built under Joe Schmidt to the leadership of Sexton & Rory Best, Trimble opens up about the preparation, pressure, and defining moments that changed Irish rugby forever.A must-listen for rugby fans and players ahead of another epic Ireland-All Blacks clash.Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromthegamepodcastFollow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

All Blacks legend Conrad Smith breaks down the habits behind sustained success: shared leadership, role clarity, reading the game, and handling World Cup pressure. He also opens up about life after rugby and his work supporting player welfare and purpose. Essential listening for players, coaches, and anyone who leads teams.📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecFollow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromthegamepodcastFollow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkamp

South African rugby trailblazer Babalwa Latsha reveals how she approaches the scrum as a mind game, not just a battle of strength.📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec📩  Join Coach Ben’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/bens-group-3618/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec📩  Join Lessons From The Game  Community - https://www.skool.com/lessons-from-the-game-7496/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecShe dives into:• The mindset and technique behind women’s rugby• How role models like Beast Mtawarira and Serena Williams shaped her• The mental toughness it takes to recover from injury and stay grounded in purpose.Hosted by Coach Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna on Lessons From The Game.Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromthegamepodcastFollow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkampFollow Ben on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/benpegna

Charlie Hodgson, one of England’s most respected fly-halves, joins Lessons from the Game to share the mindset that shaped his rugby journey — from moments of pressure and injury to personal growth and success beyond the field.📲 Follow us for more rugby content:📩  Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec📩  Join Coach Ben’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/bens-group-3618/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec📩  Join Lessons From The Game  Community - https://www.skool.com/lessons-from-the-game-7496/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecIn this honest and insightful conversation with Gurthro Steenkamp and Ben Pegna, Charlie opens up about:The power of reflection and reframing setbacks into growthManaging performance anxiety and pressure in elite rugbyThe “Effort Error vs Skill Error” philosophy that built accountability and trust at SaracensFinding identity and purpose after professional rugbyHow mindset and self-awareness can redefine success in sport and lifeA masterclass in resilience, perspective, and personal evolution from one of rugby’s most thoughtful playmakers.🎙️ Hosted by Gurthro Steenkamp & Ben Pegna — Lessons from the Game