Olwethu wears many hats, and seems to have mastered the art of juggling it all while looking gorgeous at the same time. But, she’s the first to admit that there are bad days, and that you can’t fly solo. This is the inspiration behind her latest project,The Sit Down with Olwethu.
“There is this 'superwoman' syndrome that gets thrown about when women have children. It’s as if we are bulletproof, and have all aspects of balancing life, love, parenting and work figured out, therefore we don't ask for help or advice. This explains the birth of The Sit Down with Olwethu – we aim to ask all the difficult questions, and get answers from experts in all kinds of fields,” she explains.
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How did you choose the speakers and panellists? What does each one bring?
The Sit Down with Olwethu has its core conversation pillars centred around our lives as women and the core areas we need to have in check to feel balanced.
These are career, finance, wellness, relationships and parenting. After having the podcast live with a weekly episode over six months, we looked at the feedback we received from our audience, and decided that we needed real, honest conversations that were solutions-driven. This is how we choose our speakers and panellists. These are people who are real about both the struggles and successes, and are also able to give tools that we can apply.
What are you hoping that the women walk away with after The Sit Down with Olwethu?
Everyone needs to not only walk away with hope, but also actionable tools. Tools such as how to improve their finances and relationships, how to have optimal wellness, parent with consciousness, and the tools to unlock what’s next in their careers.
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Why the “optimal” theme?
The word “optimal” means the “best” or “most favourable”. What we all are not aware of, is the fact that the best and most favourable for me may not be the same for you. You need to define and gauge yours. We also need to be aware that once the mind is unlocked and open to new information and ways to solve problems, the subconscious mind reacts. Then changes start to happen to create a new reality. That is why we bring in these experts and thought leaders to give us that nudge to learn, and the tools to start the journey for optimal living.
What misconception did you have about motherhood before you had your sons?
That you could just wing it in isolation. Parenting needs a community, and being open to learning. Yes, I’m winging it and don’t quite know what I’m doing (they’re alive and smart, so I think I’m doing pretty well), but that has taken a lot of learning and raising myself to be a better mother. As you raise them, be open to be raised yourself.
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What’s the best advice you’ve ever received on parenting?
Do it your way, take the information you get and mould it to be optimal for you.
How do you find the balance between being an active mom, entrepreneur and a woman?
I approach each aspect and challenge as it comes, and take it one-bite size at a time. Balancing things doesn’t necessarily have to be doing so in equal measure. Not all things require the same amount of time and resources. So, I really focus on selecting what to achieve, when and what will be needed to do so – this is tough, but it’s what works for me now.
The Sit Down with Olwethu will be on 4 April 2020 at Sandton’s WeWork space
