Injury, Introspection, and Reinvention: Dorin Bambus

Welcome to Episode 37 of The Incredible Machines Podcast! In this thought-provoking conversation, Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Dorin Bambus, a creative director, agency founder, and all-around storyteller. He shares his journey from a sports-obsessed teenager navigating life-changing injuries, through his years as an editor and co-founder of Gorilla Creative Media, to his recent leap into the unknown by moving abroad and embracing new opportunities. 

Dorin digs into the lessons learned from physical adversity, the evolution of South Africa’s creative agency landscape, and how self-understanding, resilience, and curiosity can shape both personal and professional paths. He speaks about embracing the change, building creative teams, and shifting the meaning of success over decades.  

Whether you’re facing your own crossroads, building something new, or just craving a meaningful origin story, this episode delivers powerful advice, vivid storytelling, and encouragement to stretch beyond your comfort zone.        ⏱ Timestamped Overview 00:10 – Introduction and Advice to My 16-Year-Old Self  01:18 – Caring Less About Others’ Opinions with Age  02:05 – Extending Time Horizons and Daily Habits  04:22 – Early Career and Wakeboarding  05:06 – Career Timeline: Blunt Magazine and The Way of Us    06:50 – Giving Up Wakeboarding After Injury  07:12 – Major Life Lows: Physical Injuries  08:01 – First Major Injury: Knee Surgery at 16  09:44 – Second Major Injury: Broken Leg Wakeboarding  14:05 – Third Major Injury: Back Surgery  16:16 – Physical vs. Emotional Lows  18:48 – Hospital Experience and Risk of Amputation  24:08 – Wakeboarding Accident Details   28:07 – Seeking Context and Meaning in Stories  30:10 – Founding Gorilla Creative Media  36:18 – Growth and Evolution of Gorilla  41:22 – Openness to Different Paths  45:39 – Leaving Gorilla and Seeking New Direction  51:17 – Liberation in Uncertainty  55:41 – Favorite Gorilla Campaign: Axe Antiperspirant  01:08:10 – Philosophy of Advertising and Storytelling  01:17:01 – On Rewriting and Perspective     

💬 Quote of the Episode 

“Talk less, listen more and read more books.” – Dorin Bambus   

🧠 Related Campaign Example     Axe “Stay Dry” Campaign — Dorin chose this campaign because it marked a significant departure for Axe, moving from the usual seduction narrative to embracing awkwardness and authenticity, with a simple, confident message. The campaign was notable for being digital-first, featuring headline creative on YouTube rather than traditional media, and for the brand team’s trust in allowing such a bold creative direction.        👣 Relevant Links    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dorinbambus   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dorinvolved/   LinkedIn: https://za.linkedin.com/in/dorinbambus     Gorilla Creative Media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GorillaCreativeMedia   Gorilla Creative Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gorillacm   Gorilla Creative Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gorilla-creative-media   Gorilla Creative Media Twitter: https://x.com/gorillacm   Gorilla Creative Media Website: https://gorilla.agency/         🌐 Connect with Tim Africa 

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