S3|E2 - Survival of The Fittest with Hollywood Athletics Professional Runner, Nkosikhona Pitbull Mhlakwana

Making A Runner

When last did you ask yourself "why do I run"? Maybe it started as a way to lose a few kilo's or meet new people? Or maybe you find it to be the best way to clear your head and manage stress?

Now consider for a moment that the reason you run had very little to do with what it does for you, personally, but rather enabled real change, access to resources and opportunity for your family, community or better yet an entire generation and those that follow...

This is the reality of becoming a professional athlete for South African people who are born into disadvantaged communities. This is the reality of our guest today and there is no one whom we've met who carries the weight of these responsibilities with more pride, JOY and humility than The Pitbull - Nkosikhona Mhlakwana.

In this conversation we learn more about Nkosikhona, who has made a major impact on the South African running scene since his debut as a young boy under the mentorship of Prodigal Khumalo to his major recent accolades of a top 6 finish at the Comrades Marathon and a 2nd Place at Two Oceans.

We talk to him about:

• His early life and how his talent was discovered.
• How he earned the nickname "Pitbull".
• How having access to sponsorships has allowed him to put in the hard work to pursue his dreams.
• We go into detail about his training for Comrades Marathon; programs, periodisation the role of strength training, coaching and being coachable.
• We talk about nutrition and fuelling and how this is a skill that he's had to develop coming from humble beginnings and food scarce circumstances.
• The role of mentorship and how he hopes to become a mentor and act as a beacon of hope for athletes who aspire to make a living from their talent.

This episode is sure to leave you feeling inspired and will leave with a whole new perspective of the word Pitbull.