A case for optimism. In the prelude to the new season of Something Shifted, Sean Loots speaks to astrophysicist-turned-journalist and author of "The Bright Side" Sumit Paul-Choudhury, about the science and psychology of optimism. Drawing on stories from Ernest Shackleton's 1915 Arctic expedition, to Sean's "Joy Jar", and the research behind optimistic chickens, Sumit shares how he became an optimist after experiencing great loss. Youtube · Instagram · Website...
Jan 06, 2026•21 min0
Healing is like peeling an onion. The final episode of this season is a story about love, although it's not a traditional love story. It's about love addiction, the fear of not being loved and the kind of love that can keep you alive. It's about a mother's love, facing your greatest fear and learning to love yourself through it all. Sara-Jayne shares her complex family background, the trauma of being abandoned and adopted at 7 weeks, and her struggles with addiction alongside her partner's relap...
Mar 31, 2025•31 min0
My plan was to visit The Chaeli Campaign HQ. But life happened. So instead, I picked up the phone and spoke to the CEO, Zelda Mycroft. Zelda shares The Chaeli Campaign's mission to drive social justice and inclusion for people with disabilities. Highlighting the crucial role of advocacy in changing how society views and supports those with disabiliities, we speak about initiatives such as inclusive education and adaptive sports. Listen to how Athletics South Africa came to include wheelchair ath...
Mar 24, 2025•26 min0
What if your life suddenly changed course, not by choice, but by force? In this episode, host Sean Loots introduces Verity, a woman who decided to rewrite her life after a personal lifequake. Through courage, creativity, and deep self-reflection, Verity learned that we always have the power to author a new chapter, no matter how messy the last one was. Sean guides this conversation on transformation, resilience, and the small but powerful shifts that can lead to a completely new sense of self. I...
Mar 10, 2025•29 min0
In this episode, we explore how Lesego’s life changed when he developed Bell’s Palsy, and what it took for him to reframe identity, hope, and resilience If you've been listening to something shifted for a while, you've probably wondered about your own life quake. For Lesego, there are two distinct moments when the ground beneath his feet gave way. When he was fifteen, his dad passed away. And again, when he was 32, he thought he was having a stroke. Eventually, it was confirmed that Lesego Majat...
Feb 24, 2025•26 min0
Today’s story is a little different to some of our previous episodes. We generally meet guests post-life quake, who have the benefit of hindsight, and we learn how "That Big Thing" has changed the direction of their life - but we meet them on stable ground. Not everyone is on the other side of an event that has changed the way they see how they fit into the world… sometimes we meet someone that is mid-quake. Chaeli has cerebral palsy and is a full-time wheelchair user. A big part of her journey ...
Feb 10, 2025•29 min0
When Jasper underwent a liver transplant in 2015, he didn’t just survive; he transformed. In this deeply human story, Jasper calls himself a “living upcycled human,” and shares what it means to carry a second chance inside your body. Host Sean Loots explores the emotional, physical, and spiritual journey that follows major medical change; the fear, the gratitude, and the quiet shift that happens when you realise you’ve been rebuilt from the inside out. In this episode: - Jasper’s raw reflections...
Jan 27, 2025•25 min0
In the adventures we seek out for ourselves, or the chances that we say yes to, deep down we know that things will change. But we can never fully grasp how much they will change. An enthusiastic yes today will obviously start a domino effect, but where will the yes ultimately lead? These are the seismic shifts we create for ourselves. In 2021, Liesl packed up her home in Cape Town and moved to Sweden with her husband and young son. Leaving behind a house she adored, a successful career, her fami...
Jan 13, 2025•28 min0
For most, becoming a parent is a seismic shift, a lifequake that transforms everything we thought we knew about ourselves. It's a journey that challenges us to re-evaluate our priorities and make some tough decisions. Like how to balance our own dreams with the responsibilities of raising our children? In 2022, Vicky became a mom for the first time. Two weeks later, her dream to compete at the 2024 Olympic Games was born. With a newborn in her arms and just 2 years to prepare for the 2024 Olympi...
Dec 31, 2024•27 min0
Year-end brings with it feelings of nostalgia and reflection. And while lifequakes are big events that permanently alter the course of a life, we want to recognise the smaller shifts and shakes - tremors, if you will, that sent us on a detour. This episode is a compilation of 12 short stories, from 12 different people, who each experienced a tremor before Christmas. Plus, since so many have asked, I have an update on Zoe too. GUESTS: Ruenda Loots Kamini Pather - All Dahl’d Up [pre-order] https:/...
Dec 16, 2024•37 min0
Tanya has struggled to breathe since the day she was born. From viral infections to lung disease, Tanya was diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans. The narrowing of Tanya's airways could not be reversed by medication. Considering the diagnosis and years of health challenges, she got on with living her life. By 2017, Tanya had just 14% lung capacity, and became the first patient to receive a bi-lateral lung transplant in a state hospital in Africa. For the first time in her life, Tanya’s lung ca...
Dec 02, 2024•23 min0
Zuraida was the last person to see her dad alive. The last person to speak to him. She was also the last person to comfort him. She was 13 years old. This traumatic event affected her deeply, leading to feelings of abandonment and a tendency towards hyper-independence. Zuraida discusses how her grief impacted her career and influenced her parenting style. She speaks freely about the importance of open communication and emotional expression with her children, contrasting it with her own upbringin...
Nov 18, 2024•25 min0
Sean shares his personal journey through a lifequake, detailing the challenges and transformations that come with raising a child with profound disabilities. He reflects on a critical incident involving his daughter Zoe, the emotional turmoil of hospital visits, and the lessons learned about resilience, empathy, and the importance of community support. The conversation emphasizes the profound shifts in perspective that can arise from unexpected life events and the ongoing journey of personal gro...
Nov 04, 2024•17 min0
Join me for the new season of Something Shifted, the podcast that asks some of South Africa’s most interesting people to share how significant life shifts, perceived as devastating, can lead to profound personal transformation and empowerment. Something Shifted with Sean Loots leans into the joy and discomfort of unexpected change, and tries to answer the question of what it takes to bounce back. Something changes your life today. How will it shift your life tomorrow? What does it take to conque...
Oct 22, 2024•2 min0
Zola Nene shares her journey of leaving law to pursue a career in the culinary arts, overcoming imposter syndrome, and finding joy in her work. She discusses the impact of her parents on her mindset and the inspirations that shaped her. Zola also reflects on her experiences with Gordon Ramsay and the significance of her cookbooks. Tune in for a heartfelt reflection on the significance of personal satisfaction and evolution in one's life path. Quotes from Zola: "I've taken opportunities and made ...
Jun 03, 2024•27 min0
Do you think your co-workers have high or low emotional intelligence? What can we learn about EQ from someone that grew up in a communal home? Theran Knighton-Fitt grew up in a home filled with love, support and more people than the average preschool class. Theran's formative years clearly impacted how he leads his life and the work he does at Mygrow, an online employee wellness platform that drives personal growth. In this episode of Something Shifted, Theran explains that emotional intelligenc...
May 20, 2024•30 min0
Bonus Episode: In this episode of "Something Shifted," Sean talks with Noa Belling, a psychotherapist and author of "Stress Less: Managing Anxiety in a Modern World." Noa shares her expertise on stress management, particularly the benefits of writing as a tool to alleviate stress. She explains how jotting down thoughts and to-do lists can help clear the mind and address underlying emotions. The episode serves as a practical guide for listeners to manage stress and improve mental clarity, with an...
Apr 16, 2024•4 min0
Bonus Episode: In this episode of "Something Shifted," Sean welcomes Noa Belling, a psychotherapist and author of "Stress Less: Managing Anxiety in a Modern World." Noa discusses the brain's negativity bias and offers strategies to counteract it, such as focusing on positive aspects of our lives and engaging in acts of kindness. She suggests practical exercises like soaking up positive experiences and placing hands on the chest to foster positivity. The episode aims to provide listeners with too...
Apr 16, 2024•7 min0
Bonus Episode: Listen to Noa Belling, a psychotherapist and author of "Stress Less: Managing Anxiety in a Modern World" take you from anxious to calm. Noa shares a quick stress relief exercise focusing on present-moment awareness by engaging the senses and adjusting posture. She explains how this practice can enhance mental clarity and resourcefulness by tapping into the brain's prefrontal cortex. Find Noa Belling's book Stress Less online and in all good bookstores now. https://noabelling.com Y...
Apr 16, 2024•6 min0
Bonus Episode: Noa Belling, a psychotherapist and corporate consultant, discusses the link between posture and mental state, offering a tool from her book Stress Less that uses posture change to alleviate stress and anxiety. She suggests that adjusting one's posture can improve emotional well-being and clarity of thought, even if it doesn't eliminate the stressor. The episode serves as a resource for practical stress management techniques. Noa Belling's book Stress Less is available online and i...
Apr 16, 2024•5 min0
Are you aware of how stress physically shapes your life? Sean Loots sits down with award-winning, bestselling author, psychotherapist and corporate consultant, Noa Belling to discuss her latest book, Stress Less: Managing anxiety in a modern world. In this episode, Noa shares the physiological impacts of stress and the transformative power of body awareness. For example, have you ever caught yourself holding your breath while checking emails? Noa Belling talks us through "email apnea," a stress-...
Apr 01, 2024•40 min0
Are you ready to discover how challenges can fuel personal growth? In this inspiring episode of "Something Shifted," Sean dives into a heartfelt conversation with Erin Drayton, a mother of two with a story that will move you. Together, they delve into Erin's academic pursuits, the nuances of raising a child with down syndrome, and the transformative power of therapy. Listen as Erin shares her family's influence, her battle with anxiety, and the resilience she's built along the way. Don't miss th...
Mar 19, 2024•30 min0
Ever wondered how folding paper could change your life? In this episode of "Something Shifted," Sean Loots sits down with Ross Symons, who swapped web development for the ancient art of origami and the captivating world of stop motion animation. Discover how a simple 365-day origami challenge catapulted Ross into the spotlight, earning him projects with high-end brands like Christian Dior and Disney. Ross opens up about overcoming skepticism, the power of self-motivation, and the significance of...
Mar 06, 2024•30 min0
In this episode, South African born, champion dancer and Strictly Come Dancing professional, Johannes Radebe opens up about the adversity's he has faced throughout his life. From growing up in Zamdela, a township in South Africa to becoming the first male dancer to perform in heels in UK Strictly Come Dancing history! Jojo's incredible rise to stardom has afforded him experiences he never thought possible and he is sharing his story of setbacks (and comebacks) with world. Johannes Radebe is Fina...
Oct 05, 2023•38 min0
This is an excerpt of a previously published full length episode. I have lucked out on my fair share of sleep in my lifetime. I've also had my sleep cycles interrupted far too many times. Having a young child with epilepsy means I never really switch off, simply because a seizure can happen without warning. Dr. Els van der Helm is a sleep neuroscientist and joins me on this episode from her home office in Switzerland. Els is focused on helping us improve our day to day performance by improving t...
Sep 13, 2023•8 min0
In this episode, Sean Loots is in conversation with Nikki Kemp, an adaptive athlete, teacher, and motivator. They cover various topics related to disability awareness, overcoming challenges, embracing personal growth, and setting goals. Nikki's experiences with cerebral palsy, her journey into adaptive athletics, and her insights into handling disappointments and judgments provide valuable lessons for all of us. The discussion emphasizes empathy, understanding, and the importance of personal res...
Aug 30, 2023•31 min0
This is an excerpt of a previously published episode. The full episode is titled "Working on my nerves with Shaun Brooking." _____________________________________ Website: https://shaunbrookingcoaching.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaun_brooking/ If, like me, you have aches and pains that come and go, you may have tried a few different methods of alleviating your ailments. I’ve tried physiotherapy, chiropractors, body stress release, TRE and even Rolfing. Rolfing is when a practit...
Aug 15, 2023•13 min0
If you’re anything like me - and I think you are - you may have healthy debates with friends about how the schooling system has developed our way of thinking. Programed us to believe that a holiday is when you slow down. Groomed us even, into believing that we don’t deserve a physical or mental break unless our calendar is clear, our email inbox is empty and our to-do list is all wrapped up. These debates often arrive at the conclusion that while elements of this may be true, ultimately we have ...
Jul 31, 2023•35 min0
Sean Loots speaks with author and relationship coach, Shelley Lewin. Shelley is a certified SACAP counselor, international coach federation member, and accredited professional certified coach. She found her career after her fiancé left her. When Shelley realized that almost all of her relationships were unfulfilling, she came to conclusion that she was the common denominator. Today Shelly councils couples and colleagues to healthy, rewarding relationships through "art, science and practice." We ...
Jul 19, 2023•39 min0
While training for a gymnastics competition, 16-year-old Brandon Beack had a life-changing accident. A poorly timed dismount saw him miss the safety mat and land on the only square metre of uncovered concrete. Brandon broke his neck and was instantly paralysed from his shoulders down. Through sheer determination and hard work, he has regained far more mobility than many thought possible. Today, Brandon heads up the Walking With Brandon Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers outpatient...
Jul 05, 2023•31 min0
