Origin Story with David McIntosh Jr

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In this episode of Origin Story, I sit down with Pierre Schoeman, the South African-born Edinburgh and Scotland rugby prop. We talk about growing up in a country where rugby can feel like a religion, the setbacks that shaped his early career, and the decision to leave home and build a life in Scotland.This is a conversation about more than rugby: it’s about family, faith, belonging and figuring out who you are when the game eventually ends. Pierre also shares what it felt like to play against South Africa in a Scotland shirt, how he’s preparing for life after rugby, and whether he can imagine returning home one day.Expect to hear about:- Growing up in South Africa and falling in love with rugby- The family experiences that shaped Pierre- Being selected for the D team and finding a way forward- Leaving home for Scotland with two suitcases- Playing South Africa as a Scotland international- Preparing for the mental side of life after rugby- Scottish slang, braais and a quick-fire roundCHAPTERS00:00 The 127kg rugby prop and the steak02:01 How social media can bring people to rugby04:19 Growing up where rugby is a religion14:35 Family and the experiences that shaped Pierre19:44 The setback that changed his rugby journey24:59 Leaving South Africa for Scotland30:15 Playing South Africa in a Scotland shirt39:45 What happens after a rugby career?44:47 Preparing for life after the game55:11 Building connections beyond rugby58:27 Style, charity and Slaters1:01:05 Scottish slang quiz1:03:00 Quick-fire questions1:05:20 Could Pierre return to South Africa?Thanks to Slaters for sponsoring this episode.If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe to Origin Story and let me know your favourite moment in the comments.--Follow David & Origin StoryInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmcintoshjrWebsite: https://davidmcintoshjr.com/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DV9tUfz5nGCmH0bfZUFrMApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/origin-story-with-david-mcintosh-jr/id1542740010Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/davidmcintoshjr— Sponsored by SLATER MENSWEAR OFFICIAL TAILORING PARTNER OF ORIGIN STORY.https://www.slaters.co.uk/?srsltid=AU7gw4Vj7l4xsLUMIsAoO4ipQRybKQn9nv694aIW0gvg4O1v2RTQ-WDiFuelled by NEUTONICCODE “David”

Chris Williamson is a podcaster and the host of Modern Wisdom.
This conversation has been years in the making for me. I started listening to Chris in 2019, aged 21, trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted from life. His voice has been with me through so much of that journey. To sit opposite him in Edinburgh, hosting a podcast of my own, was a moment I’ll never forget.
Chris spends much of his life asking the questions. This time, he lets us into his own story: the sensitive boy growing up in Stockton-on-Tees, the need to feel useful to feel loved, and the private uncertainty behind a very public success. It’s a side of him we rarely get to spend this much time with.
Expect to learn how Chris’s upbringing shaped the man he became, why healing can change your ambition, what becoming Chris Williamson has cost him behind the scenes, how he knew it was time to leave his old life behind, what happened when Joe Rogan’s first message landed in his inbox, the advice he gives me about taking the leap to America, what his schoolmates would have expected him to become, why he still struggles to see himself the way others do, and much more…
For years, I’ve learned from Chris. In this conversation, I got to know him.
This is Chris Williamson’s Origin Story.
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Follow Chris Williamson
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Website: https://chriswillx.com/
Follow David & Origin Story
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TikTok:   / davidmcintoshjr  
Website: https://davidmcintoshjr.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DV9tUf...
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Sponsored by SLATER MENSWEAR, OFFICIAL TAILORING PARTNER OF ORIGIN STORY.
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Fuelled by NEUTONIC
CODE “David”

In this episode of Origin Story, I’m joined by Craig Ferguson, a endurance challenge athlete and mental health ambassador who recently completed an extraordinary feat: walking the length of America. Over 110 days, Craig covered more than 3,300 miles, averaging around 85,000 steps daily, and raised an astounding £1.4 million for mental health charities. Despite the enormity of this journey, Craig shares how the reality of it still hasn’t fully sunk in, with the weight of the physical challenge and the impact of the fundraising only becoming clearer with time.We dive into Craig’s background, exploring how uncertainty in his early life eventually led him to embrace adventure and charity challenges as a purpose-driven path. He talks about the importance of taking risks and being open to life’s unpredictable turns, especially highlighted through his travels and the unique challenges he has undertaken. The conversation also sheds light on the profound mental and emotional trials he faced, the support from friends and surprising celebrity backers, and the deeply personal moments that made the journey meaningful. Throughout, Craig emphasizes the power of having a purpose bigger than oneself and encourages listeners to take bold steps toward their calling, no matter how daunting it may seem. Whether you’re interested in endurance feats, mental health advocacy, or inspiring life stories, this episode offers a compelling blend of all three.Instagram: instagram.com/davidmcintoshjr Get 10% off Neutonic with code DAVID: https://neutonic.comAffiliate link/code: I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.

John Swinney is the First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP).But before Bute House, before becoming Scotland’s longest-serving Deputy First Minister, and before eventually taking the top job, John was a politically engaged teenager from Edinburgh who joined the SNP at just 15 years old.In this episode of Origin Story, I sit down with John Swinney inside his residence Bute House to talk about the story behind the politician.We talk about growing up in Edinburgh, discovering politics as a teenager, joining the SNP in 1979, his unexpected journey to becoming First Minister, stepping back from frontline politics for his family and ultimately returning when he believed his party and country needed him.We also talk about child poverty, social mobility, Scottish independence, Scotland’s relationship with America, the Tartan Army taking over Boston, Scotch whisky tariffs, his conversations with Donald Trump, family life, political pressure, paddleboarding, hangovers and what the Scottish Dream could look like for the next generation.This is a conversation about more than politics.It is about duty, opportunity, identity, public service and what drives someone to keep stepping forward when it might be easier to step away.This is John Swinney’s Origin Story.Follow David:Instagram: @davidmcintoshjrTikTok: @davidmcintoshjrLinkedIn: David McIntosh JrSpotify / Apple Podcasts: Origin Story with David McIntosh Jr