From ‘Too Big’ to Rugby’s X-Factor Lock | JJ van der Mescht

In this episode of Lessons From The Game, we sit down with JJ van der Mescht, the towering South African lock now making waves at Northampton Saints. From his days as a multi-sport schoolboy in Durban, to a headline move to France with Stade Français, JJ shares how he turned doubts about his size into fuel for success.📩 Join Coach G’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/coach-g-1708/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaec📩 Join Coach Ben’s Free Community - https://www.skool.com/bens-group-3618/about?ref=2aa34cec096e4503a6e179cc75caaaecWe unpack his journey of resilience, mental strength, and belief, his transformation from being labelled “overweight” to becoming a dominant force in the scrum, and how he balances professional rugby with coaching and building his real estate business.This is a powerful conversation for young props, locks, and coaches looking to learn what it takes to dominate on and off the field.Chapters00:00 The Journey of JJ van der Meest05:05 Belief and Self-Confidence in Rugby11:34 The Importance of Pre-Season Training17:45 Multi-Sport Background and Its Impact23:26 Navigating the Path to Professional Rugby29:10 Experiences in South African Rugby32:24 Transitioning to Stade Francais36:31 The Move to Northampton Saints41:51 Mental Health and Balancing Life47:19 Setting Goals and Improving Skills52:09 Future Aspirations Beyond RugbyFollow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/lessonsfromthegamepodcastFollow Coach G on⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/ggsteenkampFollow Ben on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/benpegna