Falling Forward with Rachel Kolisi

There are stories that stay with you long after the last page – and Rachel Kolisi’s memoir is one of them.

What struck me most was not only the courage it took to open her heart to the world, but the grace with which she has chosen to carry it. To speak so openly about pain, loss, single parenting and starting over under the full weight of public scrutiny requires a bravery that is both rare and deeply human.

And rather than carry it quietly, she has chosen to share it –  with a dignity that is nothing short of extraordinary.

As a mother who understands that life has a way of asking more of us than we ever imagined we could give, her story resonates in a way that feels both personal and universal.

There are experiences in life that many women carry in silence for years. What gave you the courage to open your heart so openly – and what ultimately motivated you to share it with the world?

I think for a long time I believed that some parts of my story were mine to carry quietly, but I've come to realise that so many women are walking similar paths in silence. The courage didn't come all at once, it came in small steps, in choosing honesty over fear. What ultimately motivated me was the understanding that my story isn't just mine; if sharing it helps even one woman feel less alone or more hopeful, then it's worth it.

Opening your heart so publicly invites both kindness and criticism in equal measure. How have you learned to navigate hurtful commentary while staying grounded in your truth?

It hasn't always been easy. There are still moments that can be difficult, but I've learned to come back to my "why" – why I chose to share, and who I'm doing it for. I also remind myself that not everyone will understand your journey, and that's okay. Staying grounded comes from leaning into the people who truly know me, my faith, and the quiet work I'm doing in my own life.

Living so publicly, how do you approach new friendships – and how do you know who is genuinely in your corner?

I think, like anything, friendships start with simply getting to know someone and then growing together over time. You begin to see who is meant to stay and who may just pass through and that's okay. There's no exact formula, but as friendships deepen, so does the trust and depth. I'm incredibly grateful for the amazing friends who have shown up for me.

What has been the most challenging – and perhaps most surprising – part of navigating this chapter of motherhood?

The most challenging part has been learning to hold everything on my own at times, emotionally and practically, while still showing up fully for my children. The surprising part has been discovering a strength I didn't know I had. There's also been a deeper connection and appreciation for the small, everyday moments with them that I don't take for granted. My children are the priority and always will be.

Which women inspire you most at this stage of your life – and what is it about them that resonates so deeply?

I'm deeply inspired by women who choose to keep showing up, even when life feels heavy – women who are doing the quiet, unseen work of rebuilding, healing, and leading with kindness. Not always the loudest voices, but the most consistent and grounded ones. That kind of strength resonates deeply with me. I also love to draw inspiration from Melinda French Gates and Brené Brown.

Beyond the public headlines, what do you most hope to be known for?

I hope to be known as someone who chose to keep moving forward, someone who created spaces where women could feel seen, supported, and reminded of their own strength.

What does the next chapter look like for you – personally, professionally and emotionally?

The next chapter feels like one of building – building Falling Forward as well as the Falling Forward Foundation into something that creates impact. It's less about having everything figured out, and more about moving with intention and openness to what's ahead.

Falling Forward: For Every Woman Who Has Had to Begin Again
Rachel Kolisi with Zibu Sithole

This is not a story of perfection or arrival – it is a story of becoming. In her deeply personal and profoundly brave memoir, Rachel Kolisi traces her journey through childhood, motherhood, love, loss, faith and reinvention with an honesty that is both unflinching and generous.

The result is a memoir that quietly but powerfully reminds us that when we choose to fall forward, we are never alone.

Available in bookstores now.