Meet Vangile Makwakwa | Author & Money Trauma Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vangile Makwakwa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vangile, is there something you believe many others might not?

I completely disagree with the belief that we need self discipline to succeed.

I erased self discipline from my life after my very first vipassana meditation retreat.

I went to vipassana when I was on the brink of taking my life. The only reason I didn’t was because I went to an elderly tarot card reader, by the name of Raymond, at the Tremont Tea Room (in Boston, MA), who told me to hold on because in March (of 2011) I would go to a retreat that would change my life.

[I am tearing up just remembering and writing this].

A part of me didn’t believe my life would ever change, I’d spent my entire childhood and teens depressed but I trusted Raymond so for some reason I held on a few more months and went to this retreat with zero expectations.

And he was right – my life changed.

I walked out of my first vipassana sit and never had another suicidal thought in my life. (It’s been more than 12 years since I started practicing vipassana).

The very first minute I did vipassana, I felt like I had found what I was looking for my whole life and I knew then that even when I was not okay, I would be okay because I had this practice. I knew I’d been searching for this practice my whole life (and believe me I had searched).

Up until then I believed that all my life’s problems were because I lacked self discipline and that I was lazy and procrastinating because I couldn’t manage myself.

I SPENT MY TEENS AND THE FIRST HALF OF MY 20S BERATING MYSELF IN ORDER TO BECOME MORE DISCIPLINED

I drove myself hard non-stop to achieve this and my mental, emotional and physical health suffered.

On that meditation cushion in 2011, I realized I didn’t lack discipline or passion or anything. I didn’t NEED discipline – what I needed was healing, love and support.

I was procrastinating because I was exhausted and deeply traumatized and trying to protect myself.

I needed less self criticism of what I wasn’t doing and more self compassion and a support structure to help me get myself together so I could heal and go beyond thriving.

I have so many Black women who come to me telling me that they need more self discipline and need someone who will whip them into shape so they have zero desires and can save every penny and it pains me.

My response is always: what you need is a system that is less oppressive and pays you a fair income and doesn’t shame you for having a desire and wanting to enjoy money and life, but failing that: you need healing and support to make more money so you can meet your needs and desires.

I erased self discipline from my vocabulary because often we are told we need discipline when what we really need is healing, rest, tenderness, support and a good income (please pay Black Women for their labor)‼️

It is hard to have self discipline when I am in a trauma cycle and it’s abusive to ask people whose nervous systems are overwhelmed and constantly taking a beating to have self discipline.

I erased self discipline because it feels rigid to me and I want flow. I have done more in life and business by honoring my spirit and getting support.

I have learned that support trumps discipline.

THE IRONY IS THAT PEOPLE NOW PRAISE ME FOR MY SELF DISCIPLINE AND I ALWAYS RESPOND WITH – I HAVE SUPPORT:

♦️ 5 different coaches for various areas of my life [I even have a writing coach, because why should I struggle to write anything when I can be supported and have fun writing?]. I happily pay my coaches because they cut down the learning curve for me which makes life easy for me

♦️ I belong to masterminds…because why do entrepreneurship alone when I can get support and be held so I can easily and quickly shift things when I freak out over my money ish?

♦️ Online courses (including the #MoneyMagic course) because why struggle to find out stuff when someone has already done the work and can help me see what I’m missing?

♦️ I have a financial advisor – I don’t want the insane pressure of needing to know everything about money. If someone can get me a great deal on insurance, teach me ish quickly, answer questions and help me fill in forms, then mark me present

♦️ A Business accountant

♦️ A personal accountant – she gets me money back on my tax returns so I gladly pay her

♦️ A vegan chef to make sure I eat healthy – it takes away the obsession of worrying about eating healthy. It just happens

♦️ A fitness trainer to help me take care of my body – I actually work out regularly now because I have support and don’t need to fight myself to have discipline to get to gym

♦️ 5 people on my team in my business so it looks like I am doing more but I am actually working way way less because I don’t have to do it all and because I worry less, my mental health is soo much better (I plan to keep growing my team as I expand)

♦️ I go on retreats on the regular and allow myself to be supported as I rest

♦️ I have a gang of healers – massage therapists, acupuncturist, pranic healers, reiki practitioners etc. to help me calm my nervous system to help me process ish so I can keep working from a space of ease and health

♦️ Ancestors, guides, angels, the universe – I will take support from the spiritual plane too because it’s available so why not receive it and make my life easy?

♦️ Technology – I am a fan of tech in my business. I even taught myself basic coding

In conclusion, I stopped forcing self discipline onto myself and depriving myself of ease, instead I got support and my life really changed – my mental and emotional health improved and kept improving and shockingly I started to write more, create more and manifest more. I became a better human, friend, daughter, sister…

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a money trauma coach and I help women of color heal ancestral money trauma.

The first chapter of my life followed a script written by others – the script of success they promised would lead me to fulfillment. With determination, I pursued a finance degree from the University of Cape Town and an MBA from Simmons School of Management in Boston, MA. But the plot twisted dramatically when, before my thirtieth birthday, I found myself educated, unemployed, and drowning in debt.

I was a victim of my own poor spending habits, a failed startup, and the overwhelming shame of financial ruin. I distanced myself from loved ones, afraid of their judgment and unable to face my own reality. How could someone with my qualifications struggle so profoundly?

The weight of my financial despair was crushing. Despite my efforts to stay positive, I found myself suffocating under the weight of anxiety and self-doubt. One fateful day in Boston, as I faced yet another bank visit, panic seized me. I couldn’t confront my dwindling bank account and collapsed on the pavement, struggling for breath.

That moment was my wake-up call. I realized I couldn’t continue living this way. So I tore up the rulebook and embarked on an unconventional journey of self-discovery. I embraced meditation, yoga, and a vegan lifestyle. I sought guidance from coaches and delved into the depths of my emotions and money-related traumas.

Through this journey, I learned that my relationship with money was deeply intertwined with my emotional well-being. I started to understand that to change my thoughts and feelings about money I needed to start healing my money stories, beliefs and traumas.

The more I healed my money trauma, the calmer I was when managing money, no matter the bank balance, which made it easier for me to change my financial behavior.

I became debt free in 2014 and have stayed debt free since then; it took me 5 years to pay off US$60,000 in debt, including student loans.

I’ve since become a homeowner, a real estate investor, a published author (3 books published), gotten a yoga teaching certificate, been featured in various media, learned Spanish and embarked on a new journey as a nomadic entrepreneur.

I’ve been traveling for 15 years and have lived in over 9 countries (USA, South Africa, the UK, South Korea, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Mexico) and travelled to way more countries in recent years as I built my company (all without a credit card).

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am currently living in Cape Town, South Africa, which is my favorite city in the world; here’s my itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Cape Town

Arrive in Cape Town and check into your accommodation.
Spend the afternoon exploring the vibrant V&A Waterfront, where you can enjoy shopping, dining, and beautiful views of the harbor.
Dinner at Radison Blu, Waterfront, indulging in some of their delicious vegan dishes and watching the ocean.

Day 2: Table Mountain Hike and City Exploration

Start your day with an early morning hike up Table Mountain for breathtaking views of the city and coastline.
After descending, head to the bustling city center to explore attractions such as Greenmarket Square, Company’s Garden, and the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood.
Lunch at Three Wise Monkeys to have the spicy bun and the vegan Poke bowl
In the evening, relax and enjoy dinner at Scheckter’s RAW, known for its organic, plant-based menu.

Day 3: Lion’s Head Hike and Camps Bay Beach

Begin your day with a sunrise hike up Lion’s Head, offering panoramic views of Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean.
After the hike, head to Camps Bay Beach to relax and soak up the sun.
Lunch at Plant Cafe a café with a variety of vegan options.
Spend the afternoon exploring the trendy Kloof Street area, known for its boutiques, galleries, and cafes.
Dinner at Rick’s Cafe, which has the most beautiful view of Lion’s Head and Table Mountain

Day 4: Wine Tram Tour in Franschhoek

Take a day trip to Franschhoek, known as the “Food and Wine Capital of South Africa.”
Hop aboard the Franschhoek Wine Tram for a scenic tour of the region’s vineyards and wine estates.
Enjoy wine tastings and cellar tours at select wineries along the route.
Lunch at Foliage, a restaurant known for its innovative, seasonal menu with vegan options.
Return to Cape Town in the evening and have a relaxed dinner at Simply Asia at Sea Point, known for its plant-based comfort food.

Day 5: Robben Island Tour and Waterfront Dining

Start your day with a ferry ride to Robben Island, where you’ll learn about South Africa’s history and visit the former prison that held Nelson Mandela.
Return to the V&A Waterfront for lunch at Tang, enjoying good food with stunning waterfront views.
Rest and go for an evening walk on the Promenade watching the sunset and get some street food at The Falafel Guy’s Stand

Day 6: Cape Peninsula Tour

Embark on a full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula, visiting highlights such as Cape Point, Boulders Beach (home to African penguins), and Chapman’s Peak Drive.
Stop for lunch at The Lighthouse Café in Simon’s Town, known for its fresh seafood and vegan-friendly options.
Explore the quaint seaside town of Kalk Bay, known for its galleries, shops, and restaurants.
Rest and catch a show and dinner at Kalk Bay Theatre in the evening

Day 7: Relaxation and Farewell

Spend your final day in Cape Town relaxing and reflecting on your adventures.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Conscious Kitchen on Kloof Street, known for its healthy and delicious vegan options.
Spend the afternoon in nature at Kirstenbosch Gardens having a picnic and watching the mountains
For your last dinner in Cape Town, indulge in a fine dining experience at Grub & Vine, where you can enjoy a specially curated vegan menu paired with local wines.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are soo many people I credit my success with: my parents, my uncle, my aunts, my siblings, my friends, my publishers, my editors and my clients. Most of whom I have had the pleasure of publicly acknowledging in my new book, “What’s your money personality? – Changing the way Black Families Manage their Finances”

Website: wealthy-money.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/vangilemakwakwa/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vangilemakwakwa/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wealthymoneyco

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wealthymoney

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/wealthymoney1

Image Credits
Panida Srijai Mannini Mokhothu