Empowering Youth To Heal Bullying From The Inside Out

Thrive Initiative Featured on Radio 786 – Interview with Founder Brian Segal

Bullying in South African schools continues to rise, but one organisation is proving that true transformation doesn’t come from stricter discipline or punishment. It comes from healing the emotional root.

On 5 November 2025, Radio 786 interviewed Brian Segal, founder of the Thrive Initiative, to discuss Thrive’s groundbreaking approach: using somatic healing and emotional regulation to shift school environments from the inside out. Thrive recently trained its first group of youth facilitators in Nyanga, and the impact has already begun.

Bullying Is a Symptom — Not the Cause

Many assume bullying is caused by “bad behaviour.” Thrive sees it differently.

“A lot of bullies are actually scared,” Brian explains. “They’ve been bullied themselves. They don’t know how to express their emotions, so the pressure builds up inside, and they act out on someone weaker.”

Traditional discipline, yelling, shaming, suspending, only deepens the shutdown. When a child is already overwhelmed and then punished, the emotional pressure grows, and the harmful behaviour simply shows up somewhere else.

Thrive looks beyond the behaviour to the emotional roots that drive it.

Healing Through the Body: Somatic Tools That Transform Behaviour

Thrive’s model centres on somatic practices, physical methods that help release trapped tension, frustration, anger and fear stored in the body.

“The body holds the memory. The body holds the score,” Brian says.
“We use games and exercises that release that tension so young people can express themselves differently.”

Through guided somatic work, learners begin to:

• Release emotional pressure

• Regulate their nervous system

• Connect with their own feelings

• Communicate more clearly

• Reduce violent or reactive behaviour

This doesn’t just reduce bullying; it rewires how young people relate to themselves and others.

Why Punishment Alone Doesn’t Work

Punishment may provide short-term control, but it does not create long-term change.

Brian explains:

“A bully often has no method of expressing emotions. Discipline suppresses the anger, but doesn’t resolve it. We need to teach emotional intelligence, how to recognise, express and regulate feelings safely.”

Thrive’s programmes equip learners with:

• Emotional intelligence

• Tools for expressing anger without harm

• Conflict resolution skills

• Self-awareness

• Empathy and accountability

These are skills that transform not only school behaviour, but life outcomes.

The First Nyanga Cohort: A Breakthrough in Youth Leadership

Thrive’s first group of newly trained facilitators from Nyanga underwent a deep emotional and leadership journey.

Brian describes it as “incredibly beautiful”:

“They began expressing their feelings, fears and uncertainties, especially around relationships. When they could say ‘I’m scared’ or ‘I don’t know how to cope,’ it opened up connection and support.”

Through this process, facilitators experienced:

• Emotional relief

• New self-confidence

• Improved communication

• Supportive peer relationships

• A sense of purpose and leadership

This is the foundation of emotional transformation — the ability to express truth instead of storing pain.

Scaling Thrive’s Vision Across South Africa

Thrive’s next phase is expansion. Their work is already active in:

• Schools

• Religious organisations

• Community groups

• Unemployed youth programmes

• Leadership and corporate training

At the core of the model is one principle:

“If I can improve my communication, I can improve my life.”

Emotional communication builds:

• Healthier relationships

• Better job performance

• Stronger leadership

• Improved mental health

• More resilient communities

Thrive plans to run facilitator cohorts once or twice a year, training more youth leaders to transform their schools and communities.

A Dual-Impact Model: Healing + Entrepreneurship

Thrive operates through both a non-profit and a for-profit arm. Facilitators are trained not only in emotional tools, but also in:

• Entrepreneurship

• Personal branding

• Marketing themselves

• Selling leadership programmes

• Accountability and professionalism

This equips youth to become change-makers who can also sustain themselves economically.

Get Involved with Thrive

If you’re part of a school, community organisation, or youth programme and want Thrive to support your learners:

📞 Call / WhatsApp: 067 966 1771
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌍 Website: https://thrive-initiative.com

Thrive welcomes collaborations with:

• Schools

• Religious groups

• Community organisations

• Youth leadership programmes

• Corporate leadership teams

Thrive is committed to transforming South Africa by giving young people the emotional tools to lead, connect, and break cycles of violence, from the inside out.