Coffee Charged Conversations

Mike Johnston

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Self-Improvement

Coffee Charged Conversations is a podcast built on honest conversations with remarkable people. Nobody has it all figured out, so each episode is a chance to learn something along the way. Expect real stories, perspective, and life lessons, the kind you pick up when you listen to someone who’s actually lived it. Made in South Africa 🇿🇦

Sep 23

I Nearly Gave Up on My Dream. Then I Signed With Sony.

Have you ever wondered if you're wasting your time chasing something that might not work out? Matthew Charles asked himself that question for years. He kept a full-time job as a software engineer, working eight hours a day, then spent his evenings writing and performing, trying to build a music career on the side. Two years ago the money nearly ran out and he seriously considered giving up on his dream for good. This year, he signed a record deal with Sony Music. This episode is for anyone stuck between playing it safe and going all in on something they love. We talk about knowing when to hold on and when to walk away, the moment self-doubt nearly won, how a chance meeting reignited his passion, and why Matt believes nobody, no matter how far they've come, ever really has it all figured out. This episode is proudly supported by Leagues Ahead. Head to leaguesahead.co.za or follow @leaguesaheadofficial and use code MIKE15 for a discount. Connect with Matthew Charles: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthew._.charles Follow Coffee Charged Conversations: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@coffeechargedconversations?si=jFm0ry1pqQB4Mry9 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1IVl7qIsd3pxoK1LYUjlqb?si=d24_2xYRTGimSlJpO0-RnQ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeechargedconversations?igsh=MTh5aWFzMGo4ajljcQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Sep 10

He Lost 24kg Without Cutting Carbs | Fat Loss Myths Explained

Carbs don't make you fat. Calories do. Neil Washington joins the podcast to break down why fat loss, testosterone, sleep, and gut health are nowhere near as complicated as social media makes them seem. After losing 24kg and being featured in Men's Health, Neil built a following by cutting through the noise around dieting, supplements, and training. In this conversation we get into why breakfast isn't the most important meal of the day, the truth about cheat meals and eating clean 80% of the time, why sauna might beat ice baths for recovery, and Neil's own health scare that led him to testosterone replacement therapy and changed how he thinks about men's health. If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to figure out what actually works for fat loss, sleep, or supplements, this episode cuts through a lot of that confusion. Connect with Neil Washington: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neilwash Follow Coffee Charged Conversations: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@coffeechargedconversations Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1IVl7qIsd3pxoK1LYUjlqb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeechargedconversations This episode is proudly supported by Leagues Ahead. Head to leaguesahead.co.za and use code MIKE15 for 15% off. Follow them on Instagram @leaguesaheadofficial. If this episode helped you rethink fat loss, health, or men's wellness, subscribe to Coffee Charged Conversations for more real conversations about becoming a better version of yourself.
Aug 27

“Not an Option”: The Day I Refused Rescue on the Greenland Ice Cap

Gerry crossed 553km of the Greenland ice cap in 29 days, dragging a sled weighing close to 100kg through one of the harshest environments on Earth. Then, on Day 14, everything changed. A severe foot injury left Gerry unable to stand, with the pain reaching 9–10 out of 10. He still had another 15 days to go. When the expedition team offered to evacuate him by helicopter, his answer was simple: “I will crawl if I need to.” In this episode of Coffee Charged Conversations, Gerry reveals what it took to continue through extreme pain, exhaustion and self-doubt. He shares the reality of crossing Greenland, refusing helicopter rescue and surviving by focusing on one hour and one step at a time. This conversation goes far beyond an Arctic expedition. Jerry and Mike explore resilience, purpose, fear, gratitude and what happens when you remove the exit door from your life. IN THIS EPISODE: - Crossing 553km of Greenland ice in 29 days - Dragging a sled weighing approximately 100kg - Surviving on 5,000–6,500 calories per day - The foot injury that nearly ended the expedition - Why Jerry refused helicopter evacuation - Staying inside the “pain cave” - Breaking impossible goals into one-hour sessions - The difference between a goal and a purpose - Why success can feel surprisingly empty - Replacing “What if?” with “What is?” - Building resilience through gratitude and agency What would you have done - continued or taken the helicopter? Subscribe for more honest conversations about performance, resilience, entrepreneurship and personal growth. FOLLOW COFFEE CHARGED CONVERSATIONS: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@coffeechargedconversations Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1IVl7qIsd3pxoK1LYUjlqb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeechargedconversations #CoffeeChargedConversations #GreenlandExpedition #Resilience #MentalToughness #Adventure
Aug 13

ADHD Isn’t a Weakness, It’s a Superpower | My ADHD Journey

Matthew Bradshaw was diagnosed with ADHD at 27, and instead of seeing it as a disability, he’s built his entire life and business around it as an advantage. This episode contains a paid partnership with Leagues Ahead. In this conversation we get into what ADHD actually feels like day to day, why traditional structure doesn’t work for an ADHD brain, and how Matt manages his ADHD without medication, relying instead on supplements, dopamine cycles and systems he’s built himself as an entrepreneur. We also talk about what happened when Matt took optimisation too far, using AI to run every part of his life from his meals to his sleep to his schedule, and how that eventually left him feeling like a robot instead of a person. It’s an honest look at the line between using tools to improve your life and losing yourself in the process, plus why consistency beats intensity, why Mondays are Matt’s favourite day, and why nobody should trade places with the people they envy. If you’re an entrepreneur, you live with ADHD, or you’ve ever wondered whether you’re over-optimising your own life, this one’s for you. This episode is proudly supported by Leagues Ahead. Get 15% off with code MIKE15 at leaguesahead.co.za Follow Leagues Ahead on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leaguesaheadofficial Connect with Matthew Bradshaw: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradshaw.jpg Follow Coffee Charged Conversations: YouTube: https://youtube.com/@coffeechargedconversations Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1IVl7qIsd3pxoK1LYUjlqb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeechargedconversations
Jul 30

The AI Skill Gap Nobody’s Preparing You For | AI, Education & Entrepreneurship

Are schools preparing young people for the future - or for a world that no longer exists? In this episode of Coffee Charged Conversations, Shaun Fuchs, founder of Centennial Schools, unpacks the AI skill gap, the future of work and what young people actually need to thrive in an AI-powered economy. Shaun explains why many of the jobs today’s students may eventually do do not exist yet, how artificial intelligence is changing education and employment, and why simply having access to tools such as ChatGPT and Claude is not enough to get ahead. We explore: - Why schools should teach students to use AI responsibly instead of simply banning it - Why a matric certificate does not automatically prepare someone for employment - The difference between accessing AI and knowing how to use it effectively - Why entrepreneurship should be developed as a practical skill - How AI can support creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving - How Centennial Schools is integrating AI into education - The NextGen Founders programme, where students from Grade 4 build real businesses - The skills young people will need for jobs that have not been created yet This conversation is for parents, teachers, students, entrepreneurs, employers and anyone trying to understand how AI is reshaping education and the workplace. What will matter more in the future - qualifications, AI skills or the ability to solve real problems? Share your answer in the comments and subscribe for more honest conversations about business, education, technology and personal growth. CONNECT WITH SHAUN FUCHS & CENTENNIAL SCHOOLS Shaun’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fush1512 Centennial Schools Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centennial.schools Centennial Schools website: https://centennialschools.co.za/ FOLLOW COFFEE CHARGED CONVERSATIONS YouTube: https://youtube.com/@coffeechargedconversations Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1IVl7qIsd3pxoK1LYUjlqb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeechargedconversations Nobody has it all figured out. Let’s figure it out together. #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #Education #Entrepreneurship #Podcast
Jul 16

He Almost Lost His Limbs to Diabetes. Then He Started Running.

Kyle Singh was warned by his doctor that if he did not change his lifestyle, diabetes could cost him his limbs. At the time, Kyle was beginning to lose feeling in his hands and legs, and he struggled to walk through a shopping mall without needing to sit down. Six months after starting with short walks and a ten-second run, he completed his first 21.1KM half marathon. Now, he is preparing for the Cape Town Marathon. In this episode of Coffee Charged Conversations, Kyle shares the health scare that forced him to confront the way he was living and the small, unglamorous commitment that completely changed his life. He did not begin with an extreme training plan. He started by walking around his estate. Then he tried running for ten seconds. Eventually, he committed to completing at least one kilometre every day - not because he feels motivated every day, but because he wanted to learn how to keep showing up for himself. Kyle opens up about: - The moment he began losing feeling in his hands and legs while driving - His doctor’s warning that he could lose his limbs - Why medication alone was not changing his health - Starting his running journey with only ten seconds - His commitment to running at least one kilometre every day - How he handles days when he has no motivation - Why he posts his difficult runs as often as his successful ones - The pressure and comparison created by social media - Training physically and mentally for his first half marathon - Going from struggling to walk through a mall to completing 21.1KM - Moving the goalpost immediately after achieving something meaningful - Learning to celebrate progress before chasing the next milestone - Leaving a higher-paying job to pursue work that gave him more purpose - Redefining success according to your own values - His journey towards the Cape Town Marathon This conversation is not only about running. It is about discipline when motivation disappears, being honest about the difficult days, choosing progress over comparison and understanding that success will look different for every person. Kyle’s journey is proof that your first step does not need to be impressive. It only needs to be possible. As Kyle explains: “I’m proud of the person I’m trying to become.” Whether your personal challenge is running one kilometre, changing your health, starting a new career or simply keeping one small promise to yourself, this episode is a reminder that transformation begins when you decide to show up again tomorrow. CONNECT WITH KYLE SINGH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylethebigrunner FOLLOW COFFEE CHARGED CONVERSATIONS YouTube: https://youtube.com/@coffeechargedconversations Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1IVl7qIsd3pxoK1LYUjlqb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeechargedconversations If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to Coffee Charged Conversations and turn on notifications for more honest conversations about growth, resilience, discipline and becoming the person you are meant to be. #KyleSingh #RunningTransformation #DiabetesAwareness #HalfMarathon #CoffeeChargedConversations
Jul 2

The Pressure to Have It All Is Burning Us Out

From the outside it looked like she had everything. Inside, she was falling apart. In this episode of Coffee Charged Conversations, Mike sits down with Nompumelelo Maduna to talk about burnout, people-pleasing, leaving corporate, and what happens when you finally stop chasing the life you thought you were supposed to want. Nompumelelo did everything right. The achievements, the dream roles, saying yes to everyone. And she quietly burned out while it all still looked perfect. In this honest conversation she opens up about the disappointment she never let herself grieve, why she couldn't say no, the pressure to have it all in your 20s and 30s, and how she learned to recover from burnout by slowing down and rebuilding around purpose. We also get into how hard it really is to be authentic and tell your own story, the grandmother who taught her resilience and an entrepreneurial mindset, compassion in a world quick to judge, and some real tough love for a generation that feels like everyone else has it figured out. If you've ever felt burnt out, stuck in comparison, or unsure whether you're chasing the right thing, this conversation is for you. Connect with Nompumelelo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missmaduna Follow Coffee Charged Conversations YouTube: https://youtube.com/@coffeechargedconversations Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1IVl7qIsd3pxoK1LYUjlqb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeechargedconversations Subscribe for honest, long-form conversations about growth, resilience and becoming a better person. New episode every second Thursday.
Jun 18

How Gambling Addiction Nearly Destroyed My Life | Jacques Wijtman

What happens when a gambling addiction takes everything from you? In this episode, Jacques Wijtman opens up about the years he spent trapped in gambling addiction, the lies, the fraud, the people he hurt, and the five days in jail that ultimately saved his life. He shares how gambling became his “career”, how rock bottom changed him, and why recovery is about more than just stopping the behaviour. It is about facing the real pain underneath it. This is a raw conversation about addiction, shame, suicide, forgiveness, second chances, and what it really takes to rebuild your life. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please reach out for help. You are not alone.

Coffee Charged Conversations is a podcast built on honest conversations with remarkable people. Nobody has it all figured out, so each episode is a chance to learn something along the way. Expect real stories, perspective, and life lessons, the kind you pick up when you listen to someone who’s actually lived it. Made in South Africa 🇿🇦

Creator

Mike Johnston
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

67
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© Coffee Charged Conversations
Show Website

Coffee Charged Conversations