Written by Briony Bosse
Introducing Grant Gavin – Entrepreneur, Author & Mindset Coach
Grant Gavin is a Durban-based entrepreneur, property investor, author, and mindset coach. As the founder of the RE/MAX Panache real estate group, he has built one of South Africa’s top-performing agencies while developing a reputation as a dynamic speaker and thought leader. Through his coaching brand, Thoughtonomy, Grant inspires individuals and organisations to challenge their limiting beliefs, unlock their potential, and achieve success with clarity and confidence. His keynote presentations combine practical business experience with powerful personal development insights, leaving audiences motivated to take bold, intentional action.
Thoughtonomy and the Pebble in Your Shoe
Grant began the meeting with a poignant phrase: “If I could live my life again, I would do it more confidently.” He urged us to be aware of our minds and how they work, asking: “What stories are you telling yourself? How might your thoughts and beliefs be holding you back?” His reminder was clear: you are the only one who needs to convince yourself that you have talent.
Throughout his keynote, Grant used the powerful analogy of a pebble in a shoe, asking: “What is the pebble in your shoe? What holds you back? What in your mind is telling you that you cannot do it?” He reiterated the importance of clarity in aligning success goals with your thoughts, emphasising that only once this alignment is achieved can you effectively plan. From there, discipline and resilience become essential to keep moving forward.
Grant posed a series of salient questions: “Why do I do what I do, when I know what I know?” He explained that most of our behaviour is unconscious, with the unconscious mind acting as both a “goal getter” and the source of up to 93% of our limiting beliefs. Our behaviour, he noted, does not truly define us; instead, we are often shaped by our past conditioning.
In his book Thoughtonomy, Grant explores key principles such as:
- Everything you need to be successful you already have.
- We live our lives through our own filters.
- You have the power to make another choice.
- How are my thoughts and beliefs holding me back?
He further highlights essential elements for growth, a few of which are worth pondering:
- You must find courage.
- Hack your thinking.
- Other people’s opinions do not define you.
Malebo Sets the Stage
Our MC for the evening, Malebo Mohale, eloquently summed up the key points from Grant Gavin’s keynote before introducing our second keynote speaker for the evening our very own Raksha Mahabeer, Vice President of the PSASA KZN Chapter.
Introducing Raksha Mahabeer – Speaker, Coach & Vice President of PSASA Durban Chapter
Raksha Mahabeer is a speaker, coach, and facilitator with a passion for empowering professionals to communicate with clarity and authenticity. As the founder of RM Consulting, strategic partner of the brand consultancy SummerTime Creatives and Vice President of the PSASA Durban Chapter, Raksha blends her ability in marketing, strategy, and coaching to help individuals and organisations craft messages that resonate. She champions the principles of Holistic Wellness and Mental Minimalism, encouraging professionals to clear mental clutter, live authentically, and speak with intention. Raksha’s work in mindful marketing and leadership development has made her a sought-after voice on personal growth and purposeful communication.
Speak Less, Say More
Raksha delivered her keynote titled Speak Less, Say More, offering insightful guidance on how to craft a keynote address and ensure it truly resonates with its audience. She emphasised the importance of clarity, structure, and intentionality in delivery, reminding us that the power of a message lies not in its length, but in its impact.
She shared two key principles she lives by: Holistic Wellness and Mental Minimalism. As a coach and facilitator, she applies these through her approach to mindful marketing, intentionally clearing away mental clutter to create space for authenticity, focus, and meaningful communication. She also stressed holistic wellness as a foundation for professional speakers, nurturing mind, body, and spirit to live fully and speak authentically. Raksha encouraged the audience to be intentional about what they consume, pointing out that these values directly support clarity of mind, sustainable impact, and authentic presence.
She outlined the benefits of minimalism for professional speakers as follows:
- Mental clarity to craft a crisp, powerful message.
- Emotional resilience to manage the pressures and unpredictability of public speaking.
- Physical vitality for a strong, confident voice and engaging presence.
- Intention in delivery, ensuring every word matters.
Raksha’s message strongly suggested that cultivating calm and focus not only strengthens personal wellness but also translates into a deeper, more authentic connection with one’s audience.
Wrapping Up: An Evening of Insight and Authenticity
The September meeting left attendees with practical strategies, thought provoking questions, and fresh motivation. From Grant Gavin’s powerful challenge to confront the “pebble in your shoe” to Raksha Mahabeer’s reminder that less is more when speaking with clarity and intention, members were inspired to approach both their professional and personal journeys with renewed confidence and focus.
A special thanks goes to our MC, Malebo, for guiding the evening with warmth and insight, and to the Chapter’s Executive Leadership (President Colleen Wilson; Vice President Raksha Mahabeer; Past President Brenden Cavanagh; and Marketing & Communications Executive Kavesan Pillay), as well as the Leadership Subcommittee (Briony Bosse, Kerry Jones, Zonke Ngcobo) for organising another memorable PSASA KZN Chapter event.
