In this second part, Brian continues the conversation with Jaco van Gass, diving into the journey of rebuilding after life-changing injury and what it really takes to reach the top of elite sport.

Jaco shares how he adapted both physically and mentally in the early stages of recovery, and how sport became a vehicle for purpose and progression. From exploring different pathways in adaptive sport to committing fully to cycling, this episode follows the transition from starting again to competing at the highest level.

The conversation also expands beyond sport, covering extreme expeditions including the North Pole and Mount Everest, and the lessons learned around teamwork, trust, and decision-making in high-risk environments. Jaco reflects on the mindset required to perform under pressure, the evolution of his training, and what it took to achieve Paralympic success.

This episode brings the full journey together, from rebuilding identity to performing on the world stage.

Key topics:

• Injury recovery and adaptation
• Transition into adaptive sport
• Extreme expeditions: North Pole and Everest
• Teamwork and leadership in high-risk environments
• Mental toughness and performance mindset
• Journey to Paralympic success

Takeaways:

• Rebuilding starts with small, consistent steps forward
• The right environment and people are key to long-term success
• Trust and teamwork are critical in high-pressure situations
• Performance is built through discipline, not motivation
• Adapting to challenges creates new opportunities for growth

https://www.jacovangass.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jacovangass/

In this powerful first part, Brian sits down with Paralympic gold medallist and former Paratrooper Jaco van Gass to explore the early stages of his journey, from military life to the life-changing moment in Afghanistan that altered everything.

Jaco shares his path into the Paras, the mindset required for military service, and the reality of deployment. He then opens up about the day of the IED explosion, what he remembers, and the immediate aftermath of his injuries.

This episode sets the foundation for an incredible story of resilience, identity, and rebuilding, leading into Part 2, where the journey continues.

Key topics:

• Life in the Paratroopers
• Mindset in high-pressure environments
• The Afghanistan deployment experience
• The IED incident and injuries
• Immediate aftermath and early recovery

Takeaways:

• Life can change in a moment , how you respond defines what comes next
• Mental resilience is built long before it’s tested
• Identity plays a huge role in how we handle adversity
• There is always a starting point for rebuilding

https://www.jacovangass.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jacovangass/

In this solo episode of the No BS Performance Podcast, I break down a real moment from racing where something didn’t feel right and why it turned out to be more serious than just fatigue.

Mid-race, my heart lost rhythm. Not just high effort… but completely out of sync.

This episode is a straight-talking look at:

• What AFib actually is (without the medical jargon)
• How it felt in the middle of a race
• The warning signs most athletes ignore
• Why having the right people around you matters
• And how I’m now adapting my training to stay in control and keep performing

This isn’t about fear, it’s about awareness.

If you’re training hard, racing HYROX, or pushing performance alongside a busy life… this is something you need to understand.

No fluff, no gimmicks, just real performance.

If this episode helps, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

And if you’ve experienced anything similar, drop me a message. I reply within 36 hours.

https://www.instagram.com/brian_stokes_coaching/