HE QUIT HIS JOB, LEARNED TO RIDE & LEFT FOR AFRICA
What happens when you quit a secure job, learn to ride a motorcycle, and set off for Africa with no idea where the road will take you? For legendary overlander and author Sam Manicom, it became the start of a life defined by adventure. Sam joins JDV to share the extraordinary stories behind decades on the road, crossing the Sahara, surviving a devastating crash in Namibia, being arrested and jailed in Tanzania, and finding himself living in a remote Tanzanian village. But this conversation goes far beyond motorcycles and travel. Listen here(opens in new tab)
Meet some of our Guests
GRAHAM DUXBURY
“Racing teaches you to look after every part of the machine - because one weak point costs the whole race.”
Graham Duxbury is a celebrated South African racing driver, motorsport commentator, and motorsport business figure. He won the South African National Drivers Championship in 1982 and famously co-won the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1984 with an all-South African team. Beyond driving, Duxbury has worked as a respected motorsport commentator and is CEO of Duxbury Networking. He’s also been inducted into the South African Hall of Fame for his contributions to motorsport.
GRAEME BELL
“It's harder work being on a proper overland trip than it is sitting at home or going to work 9 to 5.”
Graeme Bell is a South African overlander, author, explorer and full-time adventure traveller. Born in Johannesburg and based out of Cape Town, he has spent years journeying across continents with his family in a self-built Land Rover Defender, exploring remote landscapes and embracing life on the road. Bell is a Senior Editor at Expedition Portal, a contributor to Overland Journal, a member of The Explorers Club, and the author of multiple books on overlanding and adventure travel. His work focuses on immersive exploration, storytelling, and inspiring others to embrace a life of bold, grounded adventure.
GINIEL DE VILLIERS
“I was basically forced to go into off-road racing... 22, 23 years later, I've done 22 Dakars.”
Giniel de Villiers is a legendary South African rally driver best known for his long, consistently elite career in the Dakar Rally. Born on 25 March 1972 in Barrydale, he began in circuit racing — winning multiple national touring car titles — before switching to off-road rallying. De Villiers made his Dakar debut in 2003 and became one of the event’s most respected competitors, securing overall victory in the 2009 Dakar Rally and finishing in the top ten numerous times across more than two decades of racing. His career is defined by endurance, consistency, and being one of the most iconic South African figures in the world of rally-raid racing.
Patrick Cruywagen
A Decade in the Driver’s Seat: 4x4 Expertise and Southern African Exploration
Patrick Cruywagen is the Editor of Land Rover Monthly. This is his second editorial role at a 4×4 magazine, having previously been an Editor at SA4X4 Magazine. His book, Your Bucket List: 150 Must-Do Experiences in Southern Africa, published by Map Studio in 2014, is the result of a decade of Southern African travel while working for SA4x4 Magazine.
Joey Evans
Six Continents, 30 Countries, and 6,000km of Untamed Africa
Since racing the Dakar, Joey has also gone on to finish the 6000km Africa Eco race from Monaco to Dakar, Senegal. He’s ridden and raced his bike through more than 30 countries on six continents and he continues to overcome adversity pushing the limits of both adventure and resilience.
Joey is married to his soulmate Meredith, and they are proud parents of four daughters, an extreme adventure in itself.
Mike Nixon
From the Peaks of Everest to the Trails of the Cape Epic
Mike Nixon is one of South Africa’s most accomplished endurance athletes and adventurers, renowned for summiting Mount Everest twice and completing the prestigious Seven Summits challenge. He is also a legendary mountain biker, having competed in every edition of the Absa Cape Epic, one of the world’s toughest stage races. Combining exceptional physical endurance with a passion for exploration and humanitarian work, Mike has taken part in numerous expeditions across Africa, inspiring others through his resilience, humility, and commitment to making a positive impact.
Scott Brady
Seven Continents, Two Wheels, and a Lifetime of Global Circumnavigation
Scott Brady is an internationally respected adventurer, photographer, and publisher, best known as the founder and executive publisher of Overland Journal magazine and Expedition Portal. Widely credited with helping popularize overland travel in North America, Scott has explored all seven continents by four-wheel drive and motorcycle, including multiple circumnavigations of the globe and landmark polar expeditions. Through his writing, photography, and storytelling, he has inspired a global community of travelers to pursue meaningful, self-reliant adventure
Peter van Kets
From the Atlantic to the South Pole: Lessons in Extraordinary Resilience
Peter van Kets is one of South Africa’s leading endurance adventurers, bestselling authors, and internationally acclaimed keynote speakers. He is renowned for rowing unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean twice—including becoming the first African to complete a solo trans-Atlantic row—and for racing unsupported to the South Pole. Drawing on these extraordinary experiences, Peter inspires audiences around the world with powerful lessons on resilience, leadership, perseverance, and the mindset required to achieve what once seemed impossible
Eric Larsen
Global Explorer, Expedition Guide, and Polar Pioneer
Eric Larsen is one of the world’s foremost polar explorers, renowned for becoming the first person to reach the North Pole, South Pole, and summit Mount Everest within a single year. An accomplished expedition guide, author, and photographer, Eric has led groundbreaking journeys to some of the planet’s most remote and demanding environments while raising awareness about climate change and the rapidly changing polar regions. Through his expeditions, keynote presentations, and training programs, he inspires audiences worldwide with powerful lessons on resilience, leadership, and pushing beyond perceived limits.
Kingsley Holgate
African Explorer, Humanitarian, and Modern-Day Adventurer
Kingsley Holgate is one of Africa’s most celebrated modern explorers, renowned for his extraordinary expeditions across all 54 African countries and his commitment to humanitarian causes. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, author, television personality, and founder of the Kingsley Holgate Foundation, he has spent decades using adventure as a force for good. Through his journeys, he has delivered life-saving malaria prevention initiatives, vision care programmes, and educational support to remote communities across the continent. Known as “Africa’s Grey Beard,” Kingsley inspires audiences with remarkable stories of resilience, leadership, exploration, and the enduring spirit of Africa.
David Grier
Inspirational speaker, chef and extreme adventurer from Cape Town, South Africa
David Grier is the First person in history to have run the Great wall of China in BOTH directions. 4 200 km each way. Over the past 12 years he has run 25 000 km across the globe. Creating awareness and raising funds for Operation Smile through the Cipla Miles for Smiles initiative.
"Its not about what you achieve that is important, its about the difference you make along the way" David Grier
Mandy Ramsden
First South African woman to conquer the Seven Summits
Mandy Ramsden is a pioneering South African mountaineer and corporate finance executive. She made history in 2010 as the first South African woman to climb the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on each continent. Alongside her athletic feats, she has spent decades climbing the corporate ladder in the male-dominated financial sector. Today, she uses her experiences to speak on leadership, resilience, and breaking barriers.
Sam Manicom
Legendary overlander and author
Sam Manicom is not just a legendary overlander and author; he's a testament to the transformative power of taking risks. Described as "funny, raw, and deeply human," Sam’s story begins with a choice: he quit a secure job, learned to ride a motorcycle, and set off for Africa with no set plan.
What followed were decades defined by adventure and a willingness to embrace the unknown.
Episode Archive
