Sibylle Stehli joined the Institute a little over a year ago, and in that time she has made a profound impression on me. Her story is extraordinary. In 2000, she was suffering from suicidal depression and severe colon dysfunction and was heavily overweight. The depression nearly caused her to drive my car off a cliff. Through divine intervention, she was given a second chance to live, and it is the reason she is here today. In 2016 she published her first book called The Courage to be Me. It tells her story through the lens of the downward spiral, turn-around and what manifested after going forward.
Through these experiences and more, which she so graciously shares in this episode, Sibylle has learned the art of having the courage to be herself and offers this in service to others as a disruptor of chaos. You will be riveted by this fascinating conversation.
In this episode:
- We discuss the influence of Nelson Mandela and Sibylle’s life in Apartheid, South Africa. This conversation was recorded on the eve of Freedom Day 2024
- Being raised in a spiritual home in the 1970s when this part of her father’s life had to be hidden from the world
- Keeping the faith through life experiences that would easily break most people
- and how writing her book saved her life
Biography
I was born in South Africa to Swiss parents and South Africa is home. I have 2 adult children who reside and work near London UK.
After school, I qualified as an optometrist and had a successful career for 23 years even though I knew it was not my passion or purpose. However, in the year 2000, I was suffering from suicidal depression and severe colon dysfunction and was heavily overweight. The depression nearly caused me to drive my car off a cliff. I say nearly because through divine intervention, I was given a second chance to live and it is the reason I am here today. In 2016 I published my first book called The Courage to be Me. It tells my story through the lens of the downward spiral, turn-around and what manifested after going forward.
In 2009 I made 3 radical moves in a period of 2 months. I quit my career, opened my complementary health care practice the next day and initiated what would turn into a 19-month divorce ordeal. In April 2017 I had to give up my home due to bankruptcy and so began what has been a 7-year gypsy journey. Yes, I have been homeless during that time and slept and lived in my car as it was all I could do to survive. And through all of these experiences and more, I have learned the art of having the courage to be me and to be in gratitude for all I now have and what lies ahead.
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