Listen To Your Footsteps podcast

Juanita Khumalo, The Unseen Battles - A Tale of Grit and Grace

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In this episode of Listen To Your Footsteps, Kojo Baffoe talks to digital entrepreneur, holistic wellness advocate, and keynote speaker, Juanita Khumalo. Juanita’s journey is one of grit, self-discovery, and the transformative power of holistic well-being. From her humble beginnings in Galeshewe, Kimberley, where she grew up in a home without electricity, to her rise as a corporate powerhouse and wellness advocate, Juanita’s story is inspiring and deeply relatable.

Juanita opens up about the challenges she faced growing up, including studying by candlelight and sharing a room with her family. Despite these obstacles, she excelled academically and in sports, eventually earning a bursary to study at the University of the Witwatersrand [WITS].

However, her journey was not without its hurdles. She faced failure for the first time in her first year of university and discusses her transition from finance to marketing, shedding light on the strategic decisions that propelled her career forward. She battled burnout in her corporate career and shares deeply personal struggles with mental health, providing listeners with heartfelt insights into overcoming adversity while striving for professional success. One of the most powerful moments in the conversation is when Juanita reflects on her response to being diagnosed with burnout: “I was diagnosed with burnout and all those other illnesses, and they booked me off immediately. I was like, what do you mean? You’re booking me off for three months?”

Juanita’s transition from corporate life to wellness advocacy is a testament to her fortitude and commitment to holistic well-being. She shares how therapy and self-awareness helped her heal and find her purpose: “I want to help impart the tools, knowledge, and resources that I learned through my journey with wellness.” Her message is clear: wellness is not about perfection but balance and self-compassion.

This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt like they didn't fit in or they didn't have what it takes to succeed. It's a conversation teeming with insights for those navigating life’s challenges, seeking inspiration, or looking to prioritise their mental and physical health. It's a powerful reminder that no matter where you start, you can create a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Watch or listen to the latest podcast episode to hearJuanita’s insights on overcoming adversity, the importance of mental health, and the transformative power of holistic well-being. Whether you’re a young professional, a wellness enthusiast, or someone looking for inspiration, this episode offers helpful lessons and actionable insights.


EPISODE CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:36 Meet Juanita Kumalo

00:55 The Origin of Juanita's Name

04:29 Growing Up in Kimberley

10:43 High School and Early Ambitions

12:26 University Challenges and Strategies

23:56 First Job Experiences

26:03 Internship at Forbes and CNBC

28:51 Landing a Job at L'Oreal

33:30 Reflecting on Family and Education

35:51 Choosing WITS and Moving to Johannesburg

37:31 Navigating University Life

38:26 Identity Crisis and Puberty

41:10 Entering the Beauty Industry

44:11 Corporate Challenges and Realizations

46:12 Journey to Wellness

50:16 Burnout and Mental Health Struggles

54:00 Therapy and Healing

01:00:38 Advocating for Holistic Wellness

01:07:31 Reflections and Future Plans

01:17:10 Closing Thoughts

Subscribe, watch/listen now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify ⁠⁠⁠⁠or wherever you find your podcasts. Leave a comment or review and join the conversation.

You can find the latest from Juanita Khumalo on ⁠LinkedIn⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X [formerly Twitter]⁠, or get the latest on Trove Wellness here.


For more on my book Listen To Your Footsteps, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kojobaffoe.com/book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zebra Culture Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ now.


Recorded at Spotify Africa Joburg Studio

Show Music by Kweku 'Taygo' Baffoe

Produced by Ayob Vania

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