Ep95. You Deserve to Be As You Are with Avukile Zoya, Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls Series

Leaders Lane by Monica Kade

Welcome to Episode 95 of The Monica Kade Podcast. This week we kick off a 5-week podcast series with The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG). My first OWLAG alumni guest is Avukile Zoya, who was born and raised in South Africa. She is the youngest of 4 siblings and was raised by her mom and sister—who was only four years older than her. Her acceptance into The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, was a powerful stepping stone enabling her to have the education she dreamed of. Then in 2017, she graduated from Colorado College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Molecular Biology and a minor in Spanish in the United States. Our conversation is a deep dive into her life before OWLAG and the experiences to date, which have shaped her into the women she is today. Avukile’s story is a powerful illustration of how having access to quality education and a tight-knit and empowering social circle further ignites the flame of our hearts desires. She reminds us that no matter where we come from, life is up to us. We choose how to respond to life and which direction we want to steer our ship—we must only tune into the whispers of our soul. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN What life looked like prior to OWLAG? What her relationship with her family is like The dreams and aspirations she held as a child growing up Why she wanted to attend OWLAG The rigorous submission process she went through to be considered a future student What it was like when she found out she was accepted into OWLAG We discuss self-doubt and how she navigates that feeling of 'Am I enough? Do I deserve this?' The life philosophy she leads her life with What was it like learning to listen to the ‘heartbreaking’ and ‘challenging’ life stories of her fellow OWLAG sisters What did attending OWLAG teach her about herself What she loves about the work she’s been called to do with the Clinton Health Access Initiative in South Africa What it means to Avukile to be the best version of herself The person that inspires/supports her to rise into her best self daily How she finds inspiration and courage to keep going when life feels challenging SIGNATURE QUESTIONS Sunset or sunrise and why? What is Avukile afraid of? The piece of wisdom she’s been given that she lives by today. If you enjoyed this episode, I've absolutely love you to please rate and review this conversation on iTunes. It helps others like you find the podcast and listen to stories that elevate and empower individuals to be their best.