Helping People, People Better: Colleen Wilson

Welcome to Episode 44 of The Incredible Machines Podcast! In this thought-provoking conversation, Jon Oliff and Luke Holden sit down with Colleen Wilson, a Durban-based transformational consultant, coach, speaker, trainer and mentor whose work brings together the Enneagram, nervous system literacy, parenting support, personal development and team dynamics.  

From growing up in Durban and reflecting on a privileged, steady childhood, to experiencing early loss, complex relationships, chronic illness, motherhood, entrepreneurship and personal reinvention, Colleen shares the life experiences that shaped her path into human development. Colleen describes herself as an Enneagram 5, and her work is rooted in helping people understand themselves more clearly, navigate life more consciously and show up with greater honesty, steadiness and humanity.  

They explore the extraordinary within ordinary life, the cost and gift of struggle, what it means to be “okay in the not okay”, and why self-awareness is not a luxury but a practical tool for better relationships, better leadership and better living. 

This episode moves through themes of grief, parenting, the Enneagram, nervous system regulation, and the ongoing work of becoming more at home in yourself. Whether you’re a parent, leader, entrepreneur, or simply someone trying to navigate life with more grace, this conversation offers a powerful invitation: know yourself, grow yourself and show yourself. 

⏱ Timestamped Overview

02:43 – Introduction to Kevin and a Remarkably Ordinary Life 05:06 – A Life of Two Halves  09:13 – First Encounter with Hardship 12:35 – Pivoting from Commerce to Human Behavior  16:36 – The Journey into Parenting 20:19 – The Science of Human Relationships 23:05 – Family Background and Early Lessons  28:09 – Early Career and Entrepreneurial Ventures  33:22 – Meeting Her Husband and a 20-Year Health Journey  38:50 – Daily Practices for Well-being  49:26 – Passion for the Enneagram 54:46 – Being Open About Your Enneagram Type 01:00:37 – Coming Home to Yourself  01:04:25 – PlayStation Ad Discussion  01:09:53 – The Importance of Authenticity 01:12:18 – Finding Your True Self 01:18:42 – The Meaning of "Human Navigator" 01:35:55 – Giving Up Alcohol 01:38:54 – Working with Individuals vs. Groups  01:39:35 – Colleen's Outlines Her Three Brands

💬 Quote of the Episode 

" I really wanted to like myself. I really wanted to get to that point where I liked who I was, as a wife, as a leader, as a mum, as a daughter, as a friend.” – Colleen Wilson 

  🧠 Related Campaign Example

PlayStation Double Life Advert: This is not the kind of advert Colleen Wilson would typically choose, but that’s exactly why it stands out. What resonated with her is how it challenges the way we define ourselves. We’re often quick to label who we are, but through her work with the Enneagram, she encourages a shift from saying I am to I can be. Identity isn’t fixed, it’s fluid, shaped by context, environment, and experience. 

Colleen values how the advert reflects the full range of who we are, including the parts we tend to avoid. By embracing both the visible and shadow sides of our personality, we move closer to wholeness rather than limiting ourselves to a single identity. At its core, it speaks to her belief in knowing yourself fully, not just the parts that are easy to accept. 

PlayStation Double Life Advert: https://youtu.be/QIW4HMl81hw  

  👣 Relevant Links & Mentions    Colleen Wilson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-wilson-982a6a6/   Colleen Wilson’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colleen_wilson_contemplative/    Colleen Wilson’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colleenwilsoncoach/    Colleen Wilson’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@colleenwilsoncoaching101   Colleen Wilson’s Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1q7FEuwxRu8e2AOVnex5z1  Colleen Wilson’s Website: https://colleenwilson.co/   Colleen Wilson’s Speaker Profile: https://redjacketspeakers.co.za/colleen-wilson  

The Enneagram: Colleen descr