This is the final post in our “My Womanhood Series”. I have learned so much – I have laughed, cried and connected with so many beautiful and strong women and I am better for it. Thank you for being part of this experience with us!
Our next interview is with: Sharon Jessop (The Rhino Lady)
Interview
Can you tell us a little about who you are and what your journey as a woman has looked like so far?
I am Sharon Jessop from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). I am a wife to Craig, mother to Joshua, a daughter and a sister. I am also an ultra-distance runner, rhino warrior, conservationist, adventurer, fitness fanatic, TEDx speaker, keynote speaker and serial entrepreneur. My journey as a woman has had its ups and downs, I have mostly worked in male dominated professions and have found that as a woman you need to work 10x harder to garner the same respect as your male counterparts, even from other women sometimes.
When did you first feel a strong sense of your own womanhood? What is womanhood to you?
I was a real “tomboy” at school and always very sporty and active, and I never truly embraced my womanhood until much later in life when I started working as a public prosecutor in court. Even then I never fully embraced it as working in the courts are tough, and you have to be tough. At some point in my career at Ford Motor Company, working with other strong women who fully embraced their womanhood, I was able to embrace it more, and realised that you don’t have to act like a man in the boardroom to make your point.
What does being a woman mean to you today?
Being a woman for me today means being comfortable in my own skin, loving my strong and muscular body, being my authentic self, and being unapologetic about it. I no longer feel that I have to live according to the norms and standards of society, I make my rules and I live by my own standards, values and morals. I have found my voice and I am not afraid to use it. It also means supporting, mentoring and lifting other women up and helping them find their authentic selves, shine their lights, and live their truth.
How has motherhood (or the idea of family) shaped your experience of being a woman?
To be honest, I never made the conscious decision to become a mother. I was married for four years when I fell pregnant and that nearly gave me a full blown panic attack. I carried on with work, life, and running races while I was pregnant. I think right up until the point my son was born I was still not ready for motherhood nor fully embraced the fact that I was pregnant. Having said this, I will not change my boy for anything in the entire universe – it was love at first sight, even though I am not a typical or even a “natural” mother.
What values or lessons do you hope to pass on to your children or the next generation?
The buck stops with you, you are ultimately responsible for you, and you cannot pass the blame or the responsibility onto someone or something else. Be disciplined, not motivated as the fire within keeps burning bright whereas the fire below your ‘behind’ burns out. Be kind and compassionate to yourself and others, but do not mollycoddle – that comes back to bite you. And always remember that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things when you put your mind to it.
What inspired your current path (career, creativity, or something else)?
My 1st running expedition, from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, was in memory of my father and a friend lost to cancer in the same year. My 2nd, 3rd and 4th running expeditions were fuelled by a passion for rhino conservation. I knew I had to dedicate my life to speaking up for these beautiful animals and ensuring that they are around for future generations. All of the above is inspired by the pursuit of excellence! How will you ever know what you are truly capable of if you never push boundaries and shatter limiting beliefs? And if you are going to embark on epic quests you have to do it to best of your ability & beyond.
Have you faced any challenges as a woman in your field or community? How did you overcome them?
I have faced many challenges yes – but I developed the mindset that failure is not an option at an early age. And every time someone told me that it cannot be done, I would find a way to accomplish it. I have always sucked at taking “no” as an answer and I totally suck at quitting. As Billy-Jean King once said: “Pressure is a privilege”. This is how carbon is turned into diamonds, by adding immense pressure.
What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself in the past year?
I’ve learnt that I am an unstoppable success force when I apply my time, mind and attention to what I really want and avoid all the “shiny new projects”. Energy flows where attention goes and I choose where I focus my attention. I have been very strict with myself (and others) in terms of this. I’ve also learnt the art of using “no” as a complete sentence and, more importantly, to no longer feel guilty about it.
How do you care for yourself in a world that often demands so much from women?
I ensure that I have my daily 30 – 40 minutes of quiet time where I do my focused breathing exercises, I meditate for 7 minutes every day, and I have my specific mind power practices that I do. I also make time for running and strength training as I love being fit, strong and healthy. I prioritise time for family and friends and schedule these into my daily and weekly schedules, and as part of my monthly goals, to ensure that I stick to them. It is so easy to get caught up in the daily grind but, if you are disciplined in all aspects of life, you will find that you can make time for things and people that are important to you.
Who are the women (past or present) who’ve inspired or supported you?
Obviously my mother, she taught me that dynamite comes in small packages. I’ve also drawn inspirational from amazing women like the poet and activist Maya Angelou. Closer to “home” I look up to and admire a local entrepreneur, Mimi Rupp. Mimi has been an amazing influence in my life teaching me how to value myself so that others will value me equally.
What message would you share with other women reading this today?
STOP thinking that you are not “enough”. Stop fussing over “perfect” bodies and being “thin”.
Focus on filling your cup so you can give from a cup that is overflowing. Be selective about who and what you assign your time and energy to. Avoid negativity at all costs, you are worth so much more. Never allow anyone to tell you that it cannot be done, do it twice AND take lots of photos while doing it.
A favourite quote or mantra you live by?
Be relentless in the pursuit of excellence. Run wild, run free, love hard, love true, always
be kind and compassionate – but always be authentically ME!
In Summary
Thank you, Sharon, for sharing your journey. It’s real and authentic – not everyone is ready for motherhood when they become a mom and the “perfect” body does not exist. We need to learn to love ourselves, become the best version of ourselves, and give ourselves grace. I love your encouragement for women to fill their cups so that they can give from a full or overflowing cup – we often forget to do this and land up with an empty cup and little to give!
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