Women Who Trusted Their Instincts And Chose New Paths

In a crossroads moment, it can be hard to make that life-changing choice. These women trusted their instincts and chose new paths that led them to better places...

- Ashton Kirsten

‘ I finally got my health on track’

Mikie Monoketsi, 41, lives in Randburg and has a 14-year-old daughter, Danielle. She is a fitness entrepreneur and the founder of Mama’s Spices & Herbs, a holistic health and wellness store.

“On an especially dreary day in early 2012, I found myself looking in the mirror and feeling totally dissatisfied with my reflection. I didn’t recognise the figure staring back at me, and was shocked at what I’d let myself become. In that moment, I knew it was time to make a major lifestyle change.

My issue with my health started years before when I lost my dad when he was just 44 years old. I felt cheated out of so many memories with him, and found consolation in comfort food. Fast forward several years and I was a busy working mom, struggling to shake the baby weight, running a demanding call-centre business, and leaning a little too heavily on convenient fast-’food takeaways, preservative-packed ready meals, and that post-work glass of wine to calm my nerves. Needless to say, I wasn’t looking or feeling my best.

Then, in 2011 things fell a little further off the rails. My marriage was on the rocks and I lost the business I’d worked so hard to grow. Again, I turned to unhealthy lifestyle choices for solace. On that fateful morning in 2012, seeing myself in the mirror made it feel as though all the trauma was crashing down on me. I knew if I carried on eating badly and neglecting my health, there’d be serious consequences down the line.