What a true honour it is to introduce Nontu Mgabhi - Warrioress of Desert Divinity, who with deep strength & a dazzling smile was one of only two finishers (both Warrioress women) of The Track Namibia 2024.
Nontu is an adventurer & psychologist from South Africa where she lives with her dog, Hope. She is a strong independent woman who completed the extremely challenging 520km race across the Namibian desert with fierce grace & a happy face.
Her attitude & energy was pure joy & grace & that is why she has achieved so much in her running career. A finisher of the iconic Comrades marathons, UTCT 100, Ultra Bolivia & Vietnam 250kms to name but a few of her competitions.
Here she shares how she approaches life & how she cultivates enough power that she proves anything is possible with.
1) Motivations: What makes you strive & thrive? What gets you out of bed in the morning?
The desire to participate in the cosmos. I am one with Mother Nature – its awe inspiring to know that although I am a tiny part of the universe but I get to experience the universe in its fullness. I am one with the universe. I Am Life, Life is Me.
2) Inspirations: What / who / where inspires you? What influences your actions/life?
I believe in the Higher Power – the creator of the universe has a higher purpose for my life. This knowledge inspires me to seek my purpose on earth. To continuously answer the question: “What is My Why?” “Why Am I on earth?”
I try not to attach too much on people because I am not living for anyone but myself. Attachment is the source of suffering. I love many people and many inspire me but I attach to none. The ‘Who I Am’ is what inspires me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I always aim to live in line with ‘Who I Am’ – be as authentic and reflective as I can.
3) Self care: What rituals / routines / practices / training do you use to nurture / strengthen yourself?
I practice doing Introspection and being reflective. Self-awareness is the best gift you can give yourself. I end every day with a Reflection exercise – answering the question: “How did I show up today?”
To know when you are adding value and when you are not is powerful.
To know when you have made a mistake and correct your mistake.
To reflect on whether your actions align with your value. This is the only way I can grow. My self-care ritual is Growth.
To grow myself as a person – be it learning a new skill, taking on a new adventure, or working on virtues that need to be worked on and to Show Up as My Best Self. I put in the necessary effort required for a well-lived life. This for me is self-care and self-love.
Physical Health ritual entails running at least 6 times a week – my morning regime include a 1 hour of exercise and my evening ritual entails a 45-minute walk with my dog (Hope).
My Spiritual Health is based in Faith and Prayer. I have also learned self-regulation skills and taking time-outs from the daily grind. This includes taking a short drive to have a weekend away and to use my annual leave to travel – take short but regular breaks.
I believe that travel does boost longevity. I am an ultra-distance runner and I find this to be paramount in character building – it builds my character and gives me mental and spiritual endurance.
4) Self belief: What do you believe about yourself? How does that affect what you do?
I believe that I am fierce and enduring. I believe that I am blessed and highly favoured. This mind-set has helped me stay positive even in circumstances that are not very positive.
There is a gift in pain. There is no pain for pain sake. I am high on discipline and staying the course – I do not easily Give Up.
I am generally optimistic and joyful – I don’t have to work hard to see things from a positive perspective – this is my natural default.
I believe Life is good! Yes difficult but it is Beautiful as it is.
5) Warrioress: your favourite style from the range & why?
I love the skorts for their strong femininity & especially in the Namibia print of course!
Photo of Nontu - May 2024 - Namibia wearing Warrioress
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