Sean Loots | Starting Over and Life Changes Something Shifted | Stories of Identity, Resilience and Life Transitions

Something Shifted | Stories of Identity, Resilience and Life Transitions

There’s a moment where your life splits in two.
Before the diagnosis. Before the loss. Before everything changed.
And then after.

Something Shifted is a podcast about lifequakes, identity after interruption, and coping with how life shifts when everything changes.

Hosted by South African broadcaster Sean Loots, this award-winning podcast shares authentic life stories of personal growth, resilience, and emotional healing through major life transitions- grief, loss, diagnosis, reinvention, and starting over.

These are stories of people navigating life changes they didn’t choose, learning to rebuild identity after trauma, and finding meaning in the middle of uncertainty. From parenting a child with special needs to coping with grief, mental health challenges, and unexpected change, each episode explores what it means to start again, emotionally, practically, and personally.

In a cinematic, almost documentary-style narrative, Something Shifted blends real human storytelling with reflective narration, uncovering the quiet mind shifts that shape who we become after everything changes.

It’s about emotional resilience, finding yourself again, and the slow, honest work of rebuilding identity after life change. Because sometimes the shift isn’t something you overcome. It’s something you become.

Something Shifted is for anyone moving through life transitions, searching for purpose after loss, or trying to make sense of who they are now.

And if you’re here, you’re not alone.
Monthly English South Africa Documentary · Personal Journals
52 Episodes
40 – 52

From Chaos to Clarity. The Untold Truth of ADHD in Adulthood.

In this episode, Sean speaks with Terence Mentor, who shares his personal journey and experiences with ADHD. Terence opens up about the challenges he faced before understanding his condition and how speaking openly about it has helped him feel less alone. They discuss the internal chaos and struggles of living…
7 Jun 2023 33 min

We Need To Talk. This Is How Therapy Saved Her Life.

Some Assembly Required is about matters of the heart and the head, and this episode is extra special for me. One, because Danny Painter has agreed to share openly about her journey to therapy and I think her story may just help break some stigmas. And two because I get…
24 May 2023 28 min

Motherhood: Expectations vs Reality

New format. Same great storytelling. Early in our marriage we spoke about having more than one child. And from time to time we revisit that conversation - each time with a refreshed perspective. I've never asked Ruenda what it is like being a mom or if she has always wanted…
11 May 2023 28 min

Tragedy to triumph. The epic comeback of Rachel Goh

Rachel Goh is a clinical psychologist and former Australian swimmer. In this episode we look back at Rachel's dream to swim at the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games and the effort it would take to make the Australian National team. Rachel talks us through how it felt to not achieve…
6 Apr 2023 29 min

How to use visualization and build capacity with Jonno Proudfoot

Jonno Proudfoot openly shares his difficult childhood, marked by his parents' divorce and a lack of support. He coped by turning to alcohol and drugs, starting at a very young age, but eventually found his drive to succeed through the need to feel significant. As the co-author of the book…
28 Feb 2023 35 min

Finding purpose, meditation, unlearning and future-readiness with John Sanei

Using a dynamic mix of human psychology, quantum science, business strategy and futurism, John Sanei creates talks, writes books, delivers masterclasses and sits on boards to help guide future-forward leaders who are ready to lean into uncertainty, overcome doubt, and rise with courage, clarity and power. But it has taken…
31 Jan 2023 28 min

BONUS: how to restore balance and re-invigorate your nervous system

This is a bonus episode that involves a body based practice led by Shaun Brooking, designed to re-invigorate the nervous system and restore balance. If you haven’t listened to the previous episode "Working on your nerves" yet, Shaun and I discuss a range of subjects including some of his athletic…
25 Oct 2022 11 min

Working on my nerves with Shaun Brooking

If, like me, you have aches and pains that come and go, you may have tried a few different methods of alleviating your ailments. I’ve tried physiotherapy, chiropractors, body stress release, TRE and even Rolfing. Rolfing is when a practitioner massages the muscles and fascia not only where you're feeling…
19 Oct 2022 21 min

I am just a dad

Looking for a podcast that delves into the struggles and joys of being human? Look no further than Something Shifted, hosted by Sean Loots, a dedicated dad who has worked through burnout and is passionate about sharing his experiences with others. Despite not having formal qualifications, Sean has lived through…
30 Sep 2022 7 min
 trailer  

What is Something Shifted about?

Something Shifted is a South African podcast about identity after interruption, those unpredictable lifequakes that divide our lives into before and after. Before the diagnosis. Before the loss. Before the moment everything changed. Hosted by award-winning broadcaster Sean Loots, Something Shifted explores identity, resilience, reinvention, and personal growth in the…
24 Feb 2022 1 min
40 – 52