Defining Your Self: Nelisiwe Zuma

Welcome to Episode 30 of The Incredible Machines Podcast! In this thought-provoking conversation, Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Nelisiwe Zuma, a dynamic voice in social media and influencer marketing whose journey began in rural South Africa. She shares how her early life experiences, family values, and community shaped her approach to personal and professional growth. Nelisiwe discusses her transformative journey following a traumatic car accident in 2016, which became a pivotal moment leading to profound resilience, self-discovery, and a renewed sense of purpose. 

Nelisiwe unpacks the challenges of overcoming physical and emotional hurdles, honoring the memory of a lost friend, and the ongoing process of healing. She emphasizes the importance of self-love, faith, and the support of community in navigating life’s adversities. This episode offers valuable insights on gratitude, the power of second chances, and the pursuit of evolving dreams. Engage in a heartfelt conversation about her journey from rural beginnings to a thriving career. Nelisiwe shares how her experiences have shaped her unique spirit, her gratitude for new opportunities, and her vision for the future.      ⏱ Timestamped Overview  00:44 – Introduction of Nelisiwe Zuma  02:03 – Self-Discovery After the Accident  02:20 – Advice to Younger Self and Learning from Others  03:51 – Upbringing and Early Life   05:07 – School Years and Being Different  06:51 – Love for the Outdoors and God  07:39 – Embracing Uniqueness and Self-Definition    08:50 – Experience in Modelling and Modelling School  11:22 – Transition to Agency Life and Social Media  13:01 – Creating the Influencer Marketing Role  13:59 – Effort to Fit In and Stand Out Professionally    15:56 – The Car Accident and the Aftermath  20:33 – Hospitalization, Recovery and Loss  24:31 – Life After Recovery and Sobriety  26:07 – Future Plans and Faith  29:54 – Feelings About the Accident Site  35:25 – Favourite Campaign and Professional Pride  39:07 – Never-Ending Adventure and Self-Discovery  42:51 – Farming Aspirations and Office Support  46:13 – Overcoming Dark Times and Asking for Help  49:22 – Self-Love and Setting Boundaries  01:00:15 – Recent Life Changes and Embracing Rest        💬 Quote of the Episode 

“You need to be different; either you define yourself or the world will define you.” – Nelisiwe Zuma 

🧠 Related Campaign Example   Vaseline Glow Product Launch campaign — Nelisiwe chose this campaign because she was deeply involved from the teaser phase through to the launch, handling teaser content strategy, amplification plans, reporting, and live behind-the-scenes coverage for social media. She poured her creativity and hard work into the project, feeling a strong sense of pride in introducing something new to the South African market that reflected her own journey of standing out and defining herself.       👣 Relevant Links    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelisiwe-zuma-54138b104/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neli.zuma.946   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neli_zuma/         🌐 Connect with Tim Africa 

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