Pierre du Plessis Through the Fog

Ep 8/12: Finding Identity Beyond the Game – Flip van der Merwe on Rugby, Expat Life, and Meaning

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In this episode of Through the Fog, we sit down with Flip van der Merwe, former Springbok rugby player turned French-resident strategist. Flip shares his remarkable journey from growing up on a farm in the Kalahari, to playing international rugby, to raising a bilingual family abroad. We explore the interplay between tradition and modernity, the challenges of choosing where to raise children, the search for meaning beyond sport, and how language, faith, and culture weave into identity.

00:00 Introduction and Background
08:27 Navigating Language and Cultural Identity
19:02 Religion and Family Traditions
27:03 Childhood Dreams and Rugby Journey
32:54 Blessings and Curses of Talent
38:36 Education and Career Pathways
45:44 The Impact of Choices on Identity
54:40 Legacy and Masculinity in Modern Society
01:00:52 Legacy and Lessons from the Past
01:07:01 Navigating Difficult Conversations
01:13:05 Finding Joy in Parenthood and Fitness
01:19:34 Future Aspirations and Impact
20 Jul English Explicit South Africa Education · Philosophy

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