Lynn Forbes is reshaping what wellness means, her OWN way
Although Lynn Forbes officially celebrates a full year of her involvement within the health and wellness industry, with her “Get Real With Lynn & Kay” sessions that she runs with her friend and wellness coach Khadijah “Kay” Mia, the journey of wellness has always been a huge interest of hers.
A space that meant striving to achieve a full life that is anchored on wellbeing, from being a physically active individual who summited Mount Kilimanjaro to prioritizing peace and being one with herself. Prioritizing this part of her existence has been at the crest of her life wave.
And as her brand grew over the years, with varying people attaching themselves to different parts of the Lynn Forbes, she wanted to share this sacred part of her life with the world. This culminated in the launch of these sessions that have recently expanded over to the Cape Town region.
“My friend and business partner Kay would invite me to speak at different events as a motivational speaker but when we would both sat and talk, we realised that we both wanted to do something bigger and more impactful together.
“That meant joining forces in our spheres of influence and creating authentic spaces where we get to share our real selves while also feeding from others. That has been a really empowering move in my own personal career journey, knowing that I am doing what I believe I am anointed to do. And that is to inspire through my own life,” she said.
But as we know, life is full of the unexpected – with gory realities that alter life altogether. Admittedly, losing her son Kiernan Forbes six months ago shook her reality and altered this peace that she had been working towards most of her life.
“I think that painful reality reminded me that I am a human being after all. And that is a huge lesson in this particular walk of wellness, that human-beings are not perfect and will never be. And that all we can try is our utmost best to show up as the best versions of ourselves.
“So are my mind, body and soul in sync? Sometimes. At the moment, no. How can they be when I just went through the biggest trauma of my entire existence. So I’m completely out of sync at the moment,” she opens up.
But that is where the beauty and realness of her journey lies, she shares. Allowing people in, even in your moments of brokenness.
“People will not sit there and think I’m a perfect human being but will understand that I’m going through the most. And I think it’s about understanding that it’s okay to be weak at times. You don’t have to be perfect. But even in that, you still have to get up everyday, try your best even though there will be days when getting off the couch is a mission and a half,” she said giggling. Sharing her unaltered life with the world has afforded her the opportunity to be the ideal ambassador for wellness. Living her true life, unashamedly.
She also aspires to remove these unrealistic pressures of perfection that society has created, that sometimes imprison people.
“I read something recently and I remember laughing so hard. It said ‘some days you will move mountains and some days you will move from the couch to the floor’, and how true is that? Like I said, it is important to understand that we are not perfect and that we need each other in our authentic states to navigate life. You have to take care of yourself,” she said.
She recalls having to be strong during those extremely trying days after AKA’s death, and although some might have viewed her as strong, she said she was dying on the inside.
“I mean I find myself now in those situations where I’m probably the most unbalanced being but do I show up? Yes, I show up. Because I understand the assignment, I understand why I have to show up and I understand that people are looking at me. That I have to be inspirational because that is what I positioned myself to be.
“But that doesn’t mean that I’m not open and vulnerable enough to say ‘I am having a terribly tough day’. I am honest enough to not try to be perfect. Because I am human after all,” she shared.
The former high-school teacher has always been interested in the wellbeing of people. With the many life lessons thrown at her from the different stages of her life, like the childhood sexual harassment to raising her family and raising a superstar son that she had in AKA, life has offered her the opportunity to build a brand that she was destined for. When that opportunity arose, she jumped at it.
“I remember how I used to fight hard to not just be called AKA’s mom, but you know what, I am AKA’s mom and I am embracing. I am getting to a point in my life where I don’t fret the little things but embracing my life in totality.
“The new buzz around me now is my blended family, with people asking how I do it. There’s nothing that is orchestrated around that and everything is as real as you see it. I love those people the way I love them because I’m trying to show up as authentic as I am. I hope that this inspires others,” she said.
So impact, for her, meant striving to reach a wider audience, using her brand to touch more lives. But even so, being able to inspire just one person is a win for the lady. And being a mother of sons, she has also shifted her focus in being all inclusive motivation – which meant making space for boys/men who have, over the years, been secluded.
“Let my life be an example to better society,” she said.
Life has presented many opportunities for this impact for Lynn, like launching her podcast with her friend Katie ‘Outspoken Owls’ and she also shares that she is working on a book.
“For years I have been writing a book and finally I have actually met up with the publishers – so that’s definitely happening. It’s gone beyond just sitting and journaling but steps have been taken towards achieving this dream of mine.
“It’s a book about me – very much about me but does include every aspect of me like my children. I won’t say much right now about it but it’s an exciting project coming to life.”
When all is said and done, Lynn hopes her brand represents someone that stood her ground.
“I mean sure, everyone will take different things from the brand but I hope I am seen as someone who approached life differently and that people can look up to and aspire to be like when they reach my age. I just want to inspire people to live authentically, “ she said.
