Chapter 1: The Challenge Begins

I’m not just tired; I’m utterly drained. The barrel on my shoulder feels increasingly heavy, and my feet seem encased in lead. Each step sends a squelch from my soaked boots. I keep telling myself, “Just reach the light.” Once I get there, it’s just a left turn to my destination. Only about 40 steps left. Yet, when I glance down, I lose sight of the light again. Panic starts to rise—if the light’s gone, how will I navigate? Instead of succumbing to panic, I decide to set down the barrel and take a moment to regain my composure. It’s crucial to stay calm in the wilderness, especially in the bush. Turning around, I discover the light was actually just 20 steps behind me. How did that happen? Then it dawns on me: I’d dozed off while walking, with a barrel on my back.

To provide some context, this was the final night of a three-day Vasbyt I participated in back in 2019. By this point, I hadn’t slept or eaten for nearly 40 hours and had trekked nearly 80 kilometers, most of it while carrying heavy loads. Some memorable moments from my Vasbyt include experiencing hallucinations and facing off against a troop of baboons, armed with nothing but a small knife. But before I dive deeper into that, let’s clarify what a Vasbyt truly entails.

A Vasbyt is an Afrikaans term meaning "bite down," but it can be interpreted more accurately as "grit your teeth." This grueling event involves enduring food and sleep deprivation over several days, relying solely on water and a concoction known as jungle juice (water mixed with sugar and salt) while accomplishing various tasks. These tasks primarily consist of moving heavy items over long distances, alongside mentally taxing challenges that become increasingly difficult as exhaustion and hunger set in. Initially developed by the South African Defence Force in the 1970s, Vasbyts serve to evaluate mental discipline and leadership skills. During a Vasbyt, expressing any desire to quit results in immediate failure, and if conducted correctly, instructors will braai food right in front of you, taunting you with its deliciousness, where accepting it means instant failure.

Now that you understand what a Vasbyt is, you might wonder why anyone would willingly put themselves through such intense mental and physical strain. The answer is straightforward: confidence. Since completing my Vasbyt, I've compared every challenge I’ve faced to that experience, and every single one has paled in comparison. Whenever I find myself saying, “This is too tough,” the inner voice replies, “Not as tough as the Vasbyt. You conquered that; you can handle this.”

As a species, we often forget our capabilities, but that doesn’t mean we can’t reclaim them. In fact, we are better equipped than ever to do so, provided we can step away from our comfortable homes long enough to try. While I recognize that a Vasbyt isn't for everyone and wouldn't recommend someone with little physical activity to jump straight into one—despite the romanticized notion of diving into the deep end, which often leads to drowning—I do encourage you to challenge yourself. You might be pleasantly surprised by your own abilities. Remember, you are far more capable than you realize, and perhaps one day you’ll be ready for your own Vasbyt, your ultimate test. Just keep in mind that I’m not extraordinary; I have no superhuman abilities. I’m just a regular person, much like you. If I can do it, then so can you.

PS: Stay tuned for an upcoming article detailing my full experiences during the Vasbyt.

Chapter 2: The Experience of Vasbyt

This video, titled "Vasbyt 2018: Mud No Problem Namibia vs South Africa(1) - YouTube," provides a glimpse into the challenging environment and camaraderie experienced during the Vasbyt, highlighting the physical and mental endurance required to overcome obstacles.