Everything Happens for a Reason" with Gerdus van der Walt

Ikigai Mentorship Podcast | Episode 35 "Everything Happens for a Reason" with Gerdus van der Walt Gerdus van der Walt grew up in Krugersdorp on Johannesburg's West Rand and went to Hoërskool Monument, where rugby was at the centre of everything. In this episode he traces his path from the Lions juniors through the under 19 and under 21 setups, three serious knee injuries, and a move to Japan that started at Yamaha and led north to Kamaishi, where he has now played for around eight years. He speaks about a brother one year older who shared the same love of the game, the dark stretches of repeated ACL surgery and rehab, the support of his wife and family through the hardest times, and what it has meant to build a home in a country far from where he started. In this episode: Growing up in Krugersdorp and the rugby culture at Monument A brother one year older and a rivalry that became a lasting friendship The step from school to the Lions juniors and into a professional setup Three ACL injuries and the rehab each time The mental side of long term injury and the thoughts of retirement How his wife and family carried him through the hardest stretches Moving to Japan, settling in the north, and what makes it feel like home The level and pace of Japanese rugby Why he would not change the path he took A conversation about resilience, perseverance, and making a life far from home. #IkigaiMentorshipPodcast #Rugby #Japan #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #Mentorship