About

“A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Anything is possible. We are the creators of our reality. We may feel bound by life circumstances and challenges or feel lost in the great forces of life that overwhelm us like a small ship in a stormy sea. Yet, when we are able to shift paradigms, to change our fixed mindsets, we discover that we are able to achieve anything.

The Emerald Foundation was established by John McGrath in 2018 in Mbekweni, outside of Paarl. As a non-profit organisation, the Foundation aims to uplift South African youths physically, emotionally and spiritually through the medium of sport. It aims to disrupt fixed mindsets and limiting beliefs, and instead, encourage growth mindsets and the ability to transform obstacles into opportunities.

John worked with numerous international athletes and teams at a world-class level in ten different sporting codes and is the co-owner of FitLife gym, based in Paarl.

He was inspired to start the Foundation after he began working closely with long-jump silver medalist Luvo Manyonga in 2013. He recognised the enormous, untapped talent and potential in South African youths and desired to be the change in the world. And so, the Foundation was born – a space for nurturing potential and encouraging greatness, in the places it is most needed.