Category Archives: Blog

Happy New Year

What do you mean it’s 2023?!

Wishing you all a healthy, happy new year.

Big love xo

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Mitsubishi Mornings

Back on the block and packing life in with my ASX.

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B in the Kitch

If you’ve been following me, you know that I love my food. Had the best time at Chef Tom Walton’s cooking class as Sydney Seafood School.

Click here to see video footage of what we cooked up!

With Chef Tom Walton

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Jozi

Johannesburg: the City of Gold.

A melting pot, rich in culture and South Africa’s biggest city. What an incredible trip. Click here to see video.

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The Mother City

Cape Town: the Mother City.

After 23 years away, it was so special being back – still can’t quite believe it finally happened. Seriously one of the most beautiful cities in the whole world, the place I was born and where most of my family still reside.

Click here to see video.

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A Safari Sunset

What a truly incredible, unforgettable time we’ve had at Kapama Private Game Reserve. If you’ve never experience a safari before, and you have the means, please do yourself a favour and book one ASAP.

It’s life-changing.

Click here to see video footage of it all.

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Black Lives Matter

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July 8, 2020 · 6:43 PM

Reflections in Lockdown

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With many of us at home right now having a bit more time on our hands, I’m seeing a lot of messaging on social media urging people to spend their time a certain way.  To do this new thing or that new project…

I just want to sort of counter and diffuse that train of thought, and encourage anyone out there feeling overwhelmed or discouraged: please… don’t listen to those voices!

Sure, for some people it’s the perfect time for working on something they’ve wanted to for a while – the book, the song, the app, the home renovation – whatever it may be.  But for others, it’s also the perfect moment to catch their breath, take care of themselves and to just be…  Both sides are productive, important and valid.

Productivity isn’t measured by works.

So please don’t succumb to the expectation of others today or feel like you aren’t “doing” enough.  Especially in a time like this, what matters most of all is doing what’s best for you.

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Happy New Year

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Tegenungan Waterfall, Bali

2018, what a year you have been.  Breathtakingly beautiful and relentlessly painful, all at once…

2019, here’s to more adventures, happiness and even greater days!

Happy New Year everyone x

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Life is a Gift

Not so long ago, I had a blood clot shoot to my right lung, killing off part of it.  Essentially meaning I now live with 1.5 lungs.

It was an experience that left me confronted with my own mortality and with so many questions: why this would happen to someone so fit and healthy, what life’s really about then, whether I’d be able to ever perform again…  Just so many thoughts.

It’s been the first time I’ve publicly shared about what’s been my greatest personal challenge.  I’m extremely grateful to be here and hopeful about the future.  Big thanks to Jonathon Moran and Daily Telegraph.

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Halogen ImagiNATION

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Had the best time sharing my thoughts on leadership and influence at Halogen ImagiNATION.

It’s such a privilege investing in the next generation.  Thanks Halogen Australia for having me.

Also, shout-out to Scott Tweedie and Gemma Knight for being ace hosts

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Memories of Ghana

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When I think about the week I spent in Ghana, oh man … words escape me.

Getting to participate in the country’s 60th Independence Day celebrations, taking in their stunning landscape, rich culture and passionate people, I’m floored.  And so thankful.

I always gain fresh perspective while traveling.  But being South African-born, standing on African soil again was extra special.  A spiritual experience.

Massive thanks must go to my beautiful and generous friend, Darlene Zschech, for having me along.

You know, we joke a lot about the whole ‘hashtag blessed’ thing on social media.  But for real…  Through life’s rough times and my (many) flaws, moments like these are just another reminder of how blessed I really am x

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Farewell Hairspray

 

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Farewell Hairspray

We’ve reached the end of Hairspray and words alone can’t explain how I feel.

While having the joy of playing Seaweed J. Stubbs, a lot’s happened.  I’ve grown and changed.  Hit euphoric highs and devastating lows.  Laughed, cried and everything in-between.

The emotions running through me sure are bittersweet, but anchored in only gratitude.

Heartfelt thanks to the whole cast and crew for enriching my life so much this past year.  Because of you, I’ve got a whole new reel of special memories to treasure.

Here’s to even greater days ahead, I love you all x

B

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Happy New Year

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January 1, 2017 · 5:53 PM

A Convo with JMC

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I recently sat down and had a chat with the ace folks over at JMC Academy about my thoughts on things like preparation, songwriting, the best/toughest things about the industry, food and more.

Click the pic below to watch.

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Bridging the Gap

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There’s a bit of a misconception that if you’ve ‘made it’, or are working professionally in the entertainment industry, that you’ve somehow arrived.  That you get to have amnesia and forget everything you did that actually got you to that point.

Would a warrior stop sharpening their swords the more battles they fight?  Safe to say, they’d probably keep those swords even sharper.  In the same way, the greater the opportunity, the greater the cost and the sharper you need to be.

The best of the best have coaches.

No matter what your field, it’s important to know that relying on natural talent alone is a trap.  It stunts growth.  We should never stop being teachable and desiring to be better.  I’ve got a vocal coach (shout-out to Lara Tenhoorn at Perfectaria).  I don’t get to see her nearly enough as I’d like, but I make sure I’m training to our recorded sessions on the (almost) daily.

Sure, there’s no rhyme or reason.  Sometimes people just experience incredible fortune, and for no obvious or logical reason.  But mostly – and I’ve found this to be true with pretty much everyone I know – it just takes plain hard work, perseverance, and resilience in the face of countless no’s.

You might say today, “I’ve got so much to give man, I just need a break!  How do I bridge the gap between where I am right now and the opportunity I want?”.  I’m no expert, but here are my Top 5 tips:

 

1. Live in preparation.

–  Consistently upskill and grow in your craft.  That way you’re not freaking out everytime an opportunity comes around last minute, and you’re having to cram in preparation.  Opportunities rarely come when it’s convenient for us.  Live in preparation, so that you’re always ready.

 

2. Embrace the mundane.

–  This is that day to day grind.  Whether you’re setting aside time to practice scales, write lyrics, produce tracks, run scenes, drill choreography, stay on top of your health and fitness or whatever your daily grind looks like.  Even when it couldn’t feel more boring and ordinary, and it looks like absolutely nothing is happening, embrace the mundane.  It all counts and really matters.

 

3. Invest in relationships.

–  A good friend once said, “Life happens at the speed of relationships…”.  Though you’re following a dream and do need to be careful who you share every idea with, it’s important not to isolate yourself in the process.  Invest in strong, authentic relationships, both professionally and personally.

 

4. There’s power in collaboration.

–  We actually lose nothing by collaborating with others.  Did you know that?  Too many people don’t.  For example: I meet artists all the time who don’t want to co-write, because that means splitting the publishing.  You know what?  I’d way rather have 10% of a freakin’ unbelievably-amazing song, than 100% of a mediocre one.  And that really applies to collaboration in any industry.

–  You might say, “But I’m not a people person…”.  Learn to become one!  Just because crossing the room to meet someone might feel terrifying, awkward or against your natural bent, doesn’t mean that it’s unnatural.  “Well, this is just the way I am…”  Don’t accept that mindset.  In fact, refuse it, because it will only hold you back.  It’s OK to do things afraid, especially if they add to our lives.

 

5. Stay patiently resilient.

–  Easier said than done (I know), but so crucial.  Someone with average talent, willing to stick it out through what might feel like a lifetime of rejection, will a lot of times experience success over an insanely-talented person.  Why?  Because the insanely-talented person just quit too soon.  Don’t quit.  If you know that you know that this is what you’re created for, you’ve got to stay patiently resilient.

 

If you found this helpful, feel free to share it with your friends.  I’d also love to hear from you, and you can find me on Facebook and Instagram.

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Hopeful

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Photo by Zenya Arrowsmith

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Lean On Me

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Photo by Zenya Arrowsmith

Getting my MJ lean on sideways :p.

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You Can Sit With Me…

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Photo by Stuart Miller

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