B.A. Psychology (Hons), University of South Africa
B.A., Social Sciences & Psychology, University of the Western Cape
Master Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Sport Psychology for developing Athletes - From FC Barcelona (Barça Innovation Hub )
Kyle Daniels
Kyle Daniels is a distinguished psychology consultant and mental performance coach with more than 15 years experience in the counseling, therapy and coaching space. In recent years, Kyle’s focus has been on applied psychology, focusing on sports psychology, life coaching, mental skills, and executive leadership development. His primary objective is to help individuals and teams apply psychological theories & techniques to their lives and careers, so that they can experience a richer quality of thinking, results and success.
Kyle is also a Director at the South African-Thai Chamber of Commerce, where he aims to strengthen business relationships between the two countries and support South African expats living in Thailand.
Kyle's expertise in Psychology and human behaviour is evidenced by his collaboration with some of the most prestigious organizations in the sports arena, including World Aquatics and the Eastern Cape Academy of High Performance. His work with Olympians, world champions, and elite teams has earned him a reputation for delivering impactful, psychology-driven strategies that lead to sustained success. Recently, he has been working with elite athletes to prepare them for major competitions like the Olympics and the PSL Cup in Africa.
In addition to his work with elite athletes, Kyle has extended his psychological insights into the corporate sector, both in Thailand and abroad. He regularly coaches sales and real estate teams, entrepreneurs, and leaders, applying the same
high-performance principles to enhance business outcomes.
His approach focuses on addressing personal and performance-related challenges, with an emphasis on resilience, leveraging unique advantages, managing high pressure, and more.
Beyond his work with adults - Kyle frequently works with teenagers to help them develop confidence and overcome anxiety. Kyle also hosts school tours where he speaks to teenagers - specifically on subjects related to identity development and the importance of delayed gratification and resilience - which was the focus of his psychology research during his studies.
From the Streets of the Cape Flats to Coaching World Champions
Growing up in one of the most dangerous cities in the world
Growing up in the Cape Flats, a subculture defined by poverty, drug addiction, crime, and the allure of gangsterism, Kyle Daniels didn’t have access to positive role models. In his neighborhood, those who were admired were feared and deeply connected to the underworld. The pull of the ‘thug life’ was strong, and many were drawn into the toxic cycle of gang culture.
Low Confidence & Self-Belief
Kyle always felt like he had many things working against him, but he refused to become another statistic. He didn’t come from wealth, and worse yet, he had no visible talents—which affected his confidence and self-belief. He constantly compared himself to others, seeing how gifted and talented they were—whether in sports, academics, or natural charisma. But as his teen years unfolded, Kyle noticed a troubling pattern: many of his peers, despite their potential, began to fall victim to the environment—dropping out of school, getting hooked on drugs, and succumbing to crime.
His Interest in Human Behaviour
This led to a burning question that dominated his teen years and ultimately became the driving force behind his decision to study psychology: why do people who seem to have so much potential end up making decisions that sabotage their future?
Determined to answer this, Kyle pursued psychology, eventually earning two degrees in the field. His honors thesis focused on this very question—examining identity and decision-making within the context of his high school environment. Despite this academic success, Kyle still struggled with confidence, self-belief, and direction. After graduating, he faced unemployment and depression. It seemed like nothing came easy for him—he always had to fight to reach the next level.
A Shit in His Focus: How to Win
During this difficult period, while reflecting on his thesis, Kyle had a pivotal realization. Instead of focusing solely on why people fail, he began to explore what leads people to succeed and express their highest potential.
With this shift in perspective, Kyle found renewed vitality. He didn’t just study psychology—he immersed himself in neuroscience, NLP, philosophy, stoicism, and other disciplines. He started applying the lessons he learned to his own life, setting ambitious goals and working relentlessly to achieve them.
Applying Lessons to life: First Glimpses at Success
Kyle embraced fitness, entrepreneurship, and personal development, overcoming hurdles that once seemed insurmountable. He also worked as a counselor at a substance abuse center, where he deepened his understanding of human behavior. Reflecting on this time, Kyle says, “I began applying the lessons I learned to my own life. Slowly but surely, I started to win.” He transformed his body, losing over 20kg, and was even featured in *Men’s Health* magazine. He also conquered his fear of public speaking, delivering a TEDx talk. “At this time, people started to take notice and wanted me to help them reach their goals, which is when I transitioned from counseling to coaching.”
Discovering His Gift
Through it all, Kyle realized that his gift had always been there, just hidden in the background. While he didn’t possess the traditional talents he had envied in others, his strength lay in studying people and patterns, asking deep questions, and helping them find answers. The challenges and obstacles he faced were essential in shaping the person he is today.
Kyle’s obsession with the question of what it takes to maximize and reach our potential has led him to work with world-class individuals and teams, something that is highly unlikely for someone like him from the ‘hood’.
Helping Others Achieve Excellence
Today, he helps world-class athletes, Olympians, and elite organizations tap into their highest potential and win in life. His journey from self-doubt to working with the best in the world has been fueled by a relentless pursuit of excellence. Constantly learning and expanding his understanding through psychology, philosophy, and life experience, Kyle has developed a unique approach that helps others break through their own mental and physical barriers.
Push Beyond the Possible
“My life is proof that relentless curiosity, self-belief, and a desire to get just a little better every day can lead to extraordinary outcomes,” Kyle says. Whether through mindset training, motivational speaking, or personalized coaching, he helps others push beyond their limits and discover what’s truly possible.