Leah Sefor - South Africa’s Go-to Life and Relationship Expert
Leah Sefor
Leah Sefor is South Africa’s go-to life and relationships expert. With over 26 years experience, she is well known for being a straight-talking, take-no-prisoners coach, author, podcaster and speaker whose work is all about 'what it means to be real.’ Leah delivers dynamic coaching experiences, facilitating breakthroughs and giving men and women the wake up calls they need to create a non-negotiable life. Leah’s practice is based in Johannesburg, South African. She works online with individuals, couples and organizations from all over the world to show them a more authentic way of being.
Leah is one of the most booked personal coaches in South Africa, featuring frequently on South African Radio as well appearing regularly on Real Health, a TV lifestyle show on The Home Channe, DStv. Leah is a regular guest expert on local and international podcasts as well as being a frequent contributor for online and print media. Leah made a guest appearance on M-Net’s season 2 of The Bachelor SA as a communications coach and hosted an episode of The Single Wives SA as a relationships expert, which aired on M-Net (South Africa) in 2020.
Leah has a large social media following with thousands of post and video views every week. She writes her own blog and is the author of The Freedom Factor - a book on boundaries. She is the creator of a regular video series called ‘Real Talk’ and created the popular ‘Lockdown Coaching’ video & podcast series.
Her new book'That's Not What I Meant! The smart, savvy guide to real communication’was published in June 2021 and is available on Amazon.
I’m excited for you to connect with Leah, check out her work, and follow along as she continues to help others get real and live an unapologetic life.
I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.
I’m Leah Sefor, I’m a life and relationships coach. I am based in Johannesburg, South Africa and I work online with clients all over the world. I call myself a professional cage-rattler because my work is about supporting people to get out of their comfort zones so they can overcome fear and step into a more powerful version of themselves. I work with people to get more real in their communication, relationships, health, family, finances, work and intentions. I give men and women the wake up calls they need to create a non-negotiable life. I show others how they can walk a journey to a more authentic life. I am about to launch my year-long mentorship programme called ‘Radical Realbies’. It’s going to be awesome.
How did you get started?
I grew up in a home with parents who did transformational work for a living. They ran an organisation that presented workshops, seminars and trainings in the field of personal growth and development for more than 30 years, so you could say this work is in my blood. I qualified in a lot of bodywork modalities when I left school (massage therapy, aromatherapy, reflexology, reiki, nutrition and body talk). It was an incredible journey of working with people physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, as all those bodies are connected and impact our experience of ourselves and the world around us. Coaching was a natural progression for me where I trained further in Coaching, NLP, Hypnosis & Shadow Work. I’m grateful to my parents who were way ahead of their time in exposing us to a world of self-empowerment from the youngest age.
What Inspired the work you’re doing?
I just got to a point in my life where I got tired of my own boring stories. Even though I had done "the work", taken the courses and had many transformational experiences, I was still playing small and believing the BS about myself. It took me a long time to shed the paralysing mindsets that were keeping me stuck so I could finally step into my power. And when I got to that place, it became a strong intention for me to show others how it could be another way. Getting Real became the focus in my work. It inspires me every day when I see my clients dropping their acts and stepping into their true natures so they can shine their unique light on the world.
What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?
Transformation. I love seeing people transform their lives and relationships. The strength of the human spirit astounds me every day. Seeing people overcome their own limiting stories and breakthrough to become the powerhouse they were born to be is what gets me out of bed in the morning. If I get to be a part of someone’s journey to discovering what they’re really made of and how they can live as the most extraordinary versions of themselves, then I know I’m living my purpose!
What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?
Living unapologetically with strong boundaries and not negotiating away my self worth. It really lights me up when people learn the power of boundaries and how to say ‘no!’ So many people are undervalued and unappreciated in their families, relationships and jobs because they are doormats, allowing others to walk all over them with no regard. So when a client discovers their voice and says ‘no more!’ I get shivers. There is nothing more inspiring to me than seeing people break through their limiting beliefs about themselves and step into their true power - there is a look on their faces that is so profound, so sacred, so breathtaking - I love seeing it.
How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?
I start my day setting conscious intentions for myself and what I want to achieve that day.
I’m a list maker - it helps me stay focused and to make sure nothing slips through my unconscious cracks.
I have always worked from home, even before the pandemic so I make sure I leave my house once a day to get out and about and give myself a break. Stepping away from my desk gives me a breather and perspective.
I prioritise time with family - it’s soul food spending time with them.
I focus on nutritious food and supplementation every day to keep my brain and bones from rusting!
I read - mostly fantasy/ sci-fi - that’s my escape.
I journal. It keeps me focused on where I’m going and what I want to manifest for myself.
I do a weekly check-in with myself, usually on a Sunday to see what I need to let go of from the previous week as well as what I want to create for myself in the week ahead. I look at thoughts and behaviours that work or don’t work and reset accordingly.
What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?
She’d be in awe. When I was much younger I had such low self confidence and was always nervous to step out of my comfort zone. In the early years of my career I felt suffocated by imposter syndrome and thought ‘who am I to teach anyone anything?’ She wouldn’t believe that I now spend so much time in the public eye on TV and radio doing the work I do. My 9 year old self wanted to write a book after falling in love with writing during an essay exercise at school. She was hooked and started keeping journals and diaries. The fact that I’m now a published author is her life’s dream fulfilled. My teenage self would be so happy to know that I live my life on my own terms and that, even though I never studied after school like my father wanted me to, I’ve still gone on to have a highly successful career. So academics isn’t everything (she really hated school)!
Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?
“Be afraid and do it anyway” It’s my life statement. Fear will always be there, it’s your choice as to how much power you’re going to allow it to have in your life.
What is your biggest dream?
Creating a global tribe of like-minded Realbies through the work I do. Because if humanity could just cut the crap and get real, we would finally have a world that works for everyone - and I’m determined to make that happen.
To connect with Leah and learn more visit her website: www.leahsefor.com Twitter: @leahsefor LinkedIn: @leahsefor Instagram: @leah.sefor Facebook: @leahsefor YouTube: LeahSefor and Podcasts: The Get Real Podcast
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