The unseen mental toll on athletes

Today we welcome a true sporting legend. Bryan Habana is a 100+ cap Springbok, a World Champion and joint highest tryscorer in Rugby World Cup history, a man who races cheetahs. As I’m sure you’ve noted this is our longest show yet. That is because it’s also one of the best. Rugby sits at the heart of it, but the personal stories bring a side to an elite athlete we rarely see. There are moments in this where we were shocked at what happened to Bryan and inspired by how he navigated the demands of his performance while experiencing immense personal turmoil. We sat down and kept the cameras rolling. 

Please excuse Harry’s dishevelled look if you’re watching; he just about made it in time out of the pouring rain, having not originally been able to make it, so we give him a pass this time. And for a bit of fun, we have a discussion debating how many global sports icons rugby has had; people that could do what Bryan did and stand alongside Thierry Henry, Roger Federer and Tiger Woods in a Gillette advert. We’re not talking legendary rugby players, we’re talking global superstars. Comment who you think sits in that category below and we can move the debate of the best answers to our socials. 

On today’s show we discuss: 

The Making of a World Champion:

• The discipline and sacrifice required to compete at the top for 15 years.

• Why Bryan believes greatness is built, not born, and the mindset that allowed him to sustain elite standards.

• His philosophy on resilience, humility and redefining success beyond tries, trophies and fame.

Money, Trust & the Hidden Vulnerability of Athletes:

• The psychological crash that hits athletes after retirement and why so many feel lost without structure, identity or purpose.

• The shocking story of how Bryan’s trusted advisor mismanaged and spent years of his commercial earnings.

• The lessons he believes every young professional must learn about protecting their finances and their future.

The Springboks Blueprint for Success:

• Why South Africa has become the most consistently dominant rugby nation in the modern era.

• The culture, leadership structure, and alignment that underpin the team’s identity.

• Rassie Erasmus’s role in transforming the Springboks and why empowerment and clarity are central to their success.

The Future of Rugby:

• Why rugby cannot survive without global calendar alignment, better storytelling and more connection to young fans.

• How commercial realities, travel demands and private equity influence the sport’s next decade.

• Why Habana believes rugby must modernise fast or risk losing cultural relevance.

A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: 
Stryde

Bringing sports investment opportunities to your door. Visit http://www.gostryde.com to become part of the movement!