Building a champion: The importance of character and discipline in success

THE FOUNDATION OF A CHAMPION

In his foreword, Chad introduced the concept of any structure only being as strong as its foundation, so let’s begin there. Usually, the foundation is the first component to start within construction. So, in this first chapter we are going to begin with the foundation for becoming a champion.

From a young age, Chad le Clos had a burning desire to become an Olympian. While many children dream of greatness, very few follow through with the kind of commitment that turns dreams into reality. What set Chad apart was not just his love for swimming, but the support system and guidance that helped him stay focused on his goals. Bert often reminded Chad that champions are made long before they step onto the world stage. Success is a result of countless early mornings, relentless training and a mindset of continuous improvement.

One of Chad’s defining characteristics as a young athlete was his obsession with excellence. He did not settle for mediocrity – whether in training or competition, he was constantly looking for ways to improve and push his limits. But it wasn’t just about physical training; his parents made sure he developed a mentally strong and emotionally stable foundation.

BERT LE CLOS: CHARACTER, NOT TALENT, DETERMINES SUCCESS IN LIFE

People often ask me, ‘Bert, why is Chad so successful?’ My answer is always the same: discipline, respect and hard work. There’s no magic formula, as Chad has also realised – no shortcuts, and certainly no excuses. From the moment Chad showed potential, I made sure he understood that talent alone would never be enough. We never sugar-coated anything and I always told him, ‘Chaddy, to be successful, never make excuses or blame anyone else for your shortcomings.’

This simple yet profound statement became a guiding principle in Chad’s life. Whenever he faced setbacks – whether it was losing a race, struggling through a tough training session or dealing with injuries – he refused to look for excuses. Instead, he focused on what he could control: his effort, attitude and determination. Life doesn’t owe you anything; you have to go out there and earn it. If he lost a race, struggled through a tough session or faced injuries, he had a choice: he could feel sorry for himself or get back in the pool and work harder. And I always made sure my son chose to work harder.

I raised Chad with a simple philosophy: you meet every opportunity with maximum effort, and you use every failure as a lesson. That’s how champions are built. I didn’t allow excuses in my home because I knew that if Chad learned to take responsibility for his performance, he would become mentally unbreakable. But discipline wasn’t just about pushing him to train; it was about structure. Every morning, Chad was up early, training before the sun even rose. I made sure he balanced his academics and his swimming because success isn’t just about being great in one thing – it’s about being disciplined in all areas of life.

And respect? That was non-negotiable. Respect your coaches, respect your competitors, respect yourself. I made sure Chad understood that being a champion isn’t just about winning. It’s about how you carry yourself, how you treat others and how you handle setbacks. People remember your character long after they forget your achievements. But more than anything, I was always there for Chad. When he doubted himself, I reminded him of his worth. When he felt pressure, I took it on my own shoulders. A father’s belief in his child is one of the strongest forces in the world, and I made sure my son knew that, no matter what, I believed in him. Chad still knows this!

That’s how you raise a champion.

THE INFLUENCE OF A STRONG FAMILY UNIT ON A CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT

Those who know Chad le Clos’s journey to greatness would have heard him say many times that he did not succeed alone – his family was the backbone of his journey. This is because a strong family unit provides emotional support, guidance and a sense of belonging, all of which are crucial in a child’s development. For Chad, his parents’ unwavering support went beyond just financial investment in his swimming career. Their presence, encouragement and belief in his potential gave him the confidence to push through challenges.

CJ VAN DER LINDE ON CHARACTER

Look, I’ve seen it time and again. Talent? Yeah, talent can get you in the room. It can open doors. But let me tell you, character is foundational and determines how far you walk through those doors. And as American basketball coach John Wooden said, ‘Talent will get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.’ That’s the absolute truth.

I’ve played with guys who had all the natural ability in the world, but they lacked the grit, the discipline, the respect, the sheer work ethic to make it count. They got to the top, sure, but they couldn’t stay there. They played one or two professional games, but then their poor lifestyle choices and habits got the better of them and they lost it. Because when the pressure’s on, when the going gets tough, talent alone isn’t enough – that’s when you need a strong character to help you make the right choices.

You cannot hide on the rugby field, especially in the scrum – more so if you are in the front row. That’s where your character has to show. That’s where you’re tested. When you’re up against teams like the All Blacks, they will expose you if you back down. They’ll find the cracks in your armour and they’ll exploit them.

Coach Wooden’s quote is not just about sport. It’s about life. Character is what allows you to maintain excellence over time. It’s about:

• Discipline: sticking to the plan, even when you don’t feel like it.

• Resilience: bouncing back from setbacks and learning from your mistakes.

• Integrity: doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.

• Humility: staying grounded, even when you’re at the top.

• Work ethic: consistently putting in the effort, day in and day out.

These are the qualities that separate the champions from the pretenders. These are the qualities that allow you not only to reach the top, but to stay there, to build a legacy. Because talent might get you noticed, but character? Character makes you unforgettable, or, like Chad, unbelievable! History is littered with gifted athletes who fizzled out because they didn’t have the mental strength to push through the tough times.

On the flip side, I’ve seen guys with less ‘natural ability’ climb mountains because they refused to give up. I have played alongside some greats, like our captain John Smit. Even after all his success, he stayed humble, focused and worked like a dog. That’s not an accident; it’s a reflection of his determination, work ethic and character. As a captain, he led from the front and inspired us not just with his words but with his actions.

For me, character is the bedrock. It’s the foundation of everything. When the talent starts to fade, when those inevitable obstacles hit, it’s your character that keeps you moving. It’s not just about sport; it’s about life. It’s about building that champion mindset through consistency, accountability and refusing to back down when things get hard. And believe me, things will get hard.

The real test of character? Definitely how you handle failure. That’s where you see the true champions emerge. They don’t see failure as the end of the road; they see it as a chance to learn and to grow. John was that true champion when he and his Sharks team experienced a painful loss to the Bulls in the 2007 Super Rugby final, before the Rugby World Cup.

What had been even more heartbreaking was that the loss had come in the dying moments through a Bryan Habana try against them. John learned from this experience and used it to galvanise us as a team in the World Cup final. He was not going to make that same mistake again. A champion learns from his mistakes and uses those lessons to find a better way the next time. They overcome. These lessons do not just apply to the rugby field or the pool; they apply to the boardroom, the classroom and to every single day of your life.

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