[imagesource: Abigail Javier/EWN]

It’s been a crazy past year-and-a-half or so for the Kolisi family.

(Day 523 of 1 449 as rugby world champions, by the way.)

From the moment Siya lifted the Webb Ellis Cup, everything changed, and he instantly became a universally recognised figure.

It also thrust Rachel further into the public eye. Whilst she has never been afraid to speak out about issues that are important to her, she’s never been quite as candid as she was when speaking to Mpoomy Ledwaba on her Wisdom & Wellness podcast.

During a conversation that stretched to an hour, Rachel and Mpoomy covered a wide range of issues, including the former’s struggle with depression and self-harm as a teenager.

Here’s IOL:

“I was in a hole and I wished that someone would drop a ladder or a rope. I tried to commit suicide when I was 15. So I spent about two to three years cutting myself and crying for help but not finding it,” she said…

“I felt led to share my story about depression and that journey. My parents went through a really bad divorce and this is just my personal story. I know everyone’s struggles are different.

“With my parents’ divorce was very challenging. I lost my way so much and found myself sometimes in not healthy friendship groups. They’d be like if you are having a tough day let’s have a drink or smoke and that’s the environment I found myself in and it spiralled. Depression does that, it does that to a person where you are like ‘I’m not depressed, I’m fine.’”

She added that whilst she has overcome those struggles mentioned above, she continues to engage in therapy, which is something you don’t only do “when your marriage is a mess”.

Overcoming relationship issues is also something Siya touched on during a recent interview with Clicks:

Siya recognised that Rachel had always supported him so it was important to do the same for her.

“We had a rocky patch, and fought a lot but it’s been so worth it now that we’re out the other side. We’re not competitive, it’s more about supporting one another.”

…Siya is enormously supportive of Rachel sharing the limelight and having her own brand, though it took some adjusting on his side.

“I grew up in a home where men go out get the money and women stay home and cook and clean. I’ve had to realise my wife and I are equals. At the beginning I thought Rachel would take the kids and I’d come home from training and put my feet up in front of the TV but I had to remember that I’m still a father and husband and my kids and partner need my attention when I’m home.”

Hear, hear!

Just save some juice in the tank so that the Springboks can give the British & Irish Lions a proper hiding (I’ll take a win by the barest of margins, too) later this year.

If you or somebody you know is struggling with mental health issues, contact SADAG online, or call their mental health line on 011 234 4837. 

[sources:iol&clicks]