Welcome to Deon Bicycle!
Deon Bicycle is a young man with a few spokes that help him balance. Based in Centurion, South Africa, he has overcome many odds. He shares his experiences by being a motivational speaker, academic coach, bipolar coach and a published author.
Thank you for being part of this journey!
What Deon Does
Click on any of the headings below to see a detailed explanation
Motivational Speaker
Deon has been actively speaking for several years. He was the Happiness HELPS ambassador of Vista Clinic. As part of the Crazy for Walking Campaign that the clinic presented, he was the wellness speaker for the duration of the campaign. They spoke to people about the stigma around mental illness and taught them how to combat mental illness with the Happiness HELPS factors.
Deon is known for his humorous talks. He has a way of capturing a serious topic and presenting it in a light-hearted but teachable way.
He is still actively involved at Vista, where he teaches the 5th year medical students each year in their rotation at Vista about mental illness from a patient’s point of view.
Academic Coach
Deon has a passion for people, and he therefor also does academic coaching. He teaches high schoolers study methods, life skills and time management to help them organize and cope with the workload.
Deon successfully helped a grade 12 student to complete his final school year with good marks, in spite of the Covid pandemic.
Bipolar Coach
He has more than fifteen years’ experience with bipolar. Over the years, he has learned how to manage the illness successfully. He now coaches people on bipolar. He offers support for family and friends to know how to handle and cope with the illness. He gives practical advice on to help them understand what they need to do to help.
It is important to note that his services do not replace those of a psychologist or psychiatrist. He simply helps the person and their family between their appointments.
Life is like a Bicycle
In ‘Life is like a bicycle’, Deon Bicycle shares his journey from living with disability, disorder and disease (cerebral palsy, bipolar 1, and Myasthenia Gravis). Deon wrote the book because he like to use his unique story to inspire people. He says “There is nothing as beautiful as seeing another person smile for a moment in hopelessness when you inspire them to stand up and say: I can!’
Within these pages, you will find his encouraging words coloured with gracious honesty, playful humor and a teachable attitude that constantly asks: “What can I learn from my current situation and the people around me?” These characteristics alone make it an uplifting experience to spend time with him. Through this book you not only get to walk in his shoes but also ask yourself some honest questions along the way.
My Videos
Photo Gallery
What Others Say
Below you’ll find a few words from people that Deon’s helped in the past. We’ll add more soon!
Rina
What a year 2020 was, with a very difficult ending for us personally, but it all turned out for the better thanks to Deon.
My son, Ruan, experienced major setbacks from August 2020. He has bipolar and did not want to take his medication due to stubbornness. In a period of five years his medication was unchanged and so it didn’t have the effect that it used to have. According to him, there was nothing wrong, so why change it? He thought he didn’t need it anymore. He had a head injury and started to act very irrationally. In November 2020, he asked me to come and stay with him. I noticed that he was not himself and started to talk to him about his bipolar. I did a lot of research and watched several videos on YouTube to get information on how to handle the situation.
One day, out of pure discouragement I was on Google and found Deon’s phone number. I believe that the Lord planned for our paths to cross. When I called, Deon answered and asked how he could help me. So, our journey began. He asked me questions about Ruan and the circumstances and offered his advice. For me, it was great to get knowledge from someone who has bipolar himself, and who understands and knows how to support such a person and how he would like to be treated. For me, bipolar is a deadly disorder.
Ruan threatened to commit suicide for a time and on 24 December, he went over into action and overdosed on medication. I started to worry because he wasn’t waking up and was snoring heavily. It started to scare me, so I called Deon who answered immediately and asked questions. He recommended calling an ambulance immediately. I did so and after a while, the paramedics showed up. I showed them what medication Ruan had taken took because I discovered it in the bathroom trash. They took him to hospital and his life was spared. Ruan was then transferred to a hospital close to our home. After four days, he was discharged. Deon called every day, not only worried about Ruan, but me too. There are few people such as Deon today who cares so much about his neighbour. He was a real pillar in my time of need. He also recommended that I should encourage Ruan to go back for treatment. Ruan did so after Deon directed me on how to approach the subject with Ruan. Deon even offered to come and visit us, but I moved and therefore made no more personal contact with him. I learned a lot from him who understood the disorder and can really help support the family and friends of their loved one who has bipolar. I can recommend Deon as bipolar coach who cares, and I believe he will reach great heights through his books and talks.
May the Lord richly bless him for all he means to me and Ruan. May he help many people through his honest and sincere caring way. Deon needs every prayer so he can help and assist others. The Lord has prepared for him a wonderful future.
“A friend in need is a friend indeed.”
Rina Botha
Ruan
I have known Deon as a dear friend since our paths crossed in high school more than 17 years ago. I have shared in many of the experiences that you will read about in this book. His passion for life and dedication to his relationships with God and people are inspiring.
The size of his dreams is matched only by his faith in his heavenly Father who inspired them, as it will become clear from the pages. Through the ups and downs of his life, Deon has remained dignified, practical, and committed to his values. He always lends an ear and a helping hand where he can, especially when it comes to unlocking the potential of others and helping them overcome mental, physical, and spiritual challenges. When he speaks of these things, it comes from a place of climbing his own mountain with perseverance – anyone would do well to listen to what he has to say.
Within these pages, you will find his encouraging words coloured with gracious honesty, playful humour and a teachable attitude that constantly asks: ‘What can I learn from my current situation and the people around me?’ These characteristics alone make it an uplifting experience to spend time with him. Through this book you not only get to walk in his shoes but also ask yourself some honest questions along the way. I have learnt a lot from Deon over the years, with the most noteworthy message being that everyone can choose to be a powerful person. This does not refer to your physical strength or authority, but the way that you choose your response to any circumstance and stick with what is most important to you. His story of perseverance reminds me of a quote by the elite Paralympic athlete Juan Joze Mendez: “Don’t tell me you can’t.”
This book is delightful, challenging, and heart-warming. Keep Deon’s encouraging words in the back of your mind when you face your next uphill challenge and remember: “Just keep on moving!”
Close friend,
Ruan Yacumakis