A post-traumatic growth specialist writes about adverse childhood experiences, her secret passion, being a matriarch, and proper pull-ups.

 1 You’ve studied at 4 universities – how did that happen?

I am very curious and eager to learn so I can grow – the perfect ingredients for a life-long learner. As a result, I’ve been studying my entire life either in person or online. To date I’ve attended 5 universities and 16 other tertiary institutions world-wide and still counting. Ever since my school days in the 80’s (where I totally under-performed) I have earned every accreditation with distinction – a personal goal I set for myself and I’m very proud to still achieve to this day, at the age of 56.

2 You recently mentioned experiencing depression and feeling “utterly desperate at various times in my life - when I lost my child, when I was betrayed, when I got divorced, when I was abused, when I was diagnosed with cancer, when I lost my livelihood, to name a few.” These are huge challenges. How did you navigate them, and how did they contribute to the work you do?

All of these challenges occurred in my adult life, when I was fortunate to have already gained valuable adverse childhood experiences, which taught me a lot about resilience. Giving up, losing or breaking was just never an option for me because I always had too many duties and responsibilities and other people relying on me to keep it together. This forced me to be innovative, adaptable and flexible in order to survive, for which I am very grateful.

The skills and tools I apply in my work today originated from all the life lessons learnt, coping strategies implemented in moments of desperate need and knowledge acquired through the years. There is a wealth of wisdom to be gained from our own behavioural patterns and when applying the regular new insight of a life-long student, there is no limit to learning and growth – a beautiful and inspiring dynamic that feeds my passion for post traumatic growth.

I have subsequently developed the Get Up and Grow process which is a culmination of years of lived experience and research. It is based on the principles of in-depth understanding and insight in our experiences (to “Get” it), which prompts us to update our internal systems (“Up”) and then enables us to adapt, navigate and direct (a.n.d.) ourselves. Once all of that has been done successfully, we grow as a result and repeat the process which continues our ever-lasting cycles of growth.

Here Sinta discusses trauma and how to “Get Up and Grow”.

3 Content creation, as you do for your platform Get Up and Grow, is an activity that never stops. You also consult with clients. How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

My work gives me so much joy and satisfaction that I can honestly do it all day every day. I wake up every morning excited and full of new ideas, which requires a deliberate decision to call it a day and switch off. Fortunately, the variety of my tasks (client sessions, content creation, studying, research, strategising & business functions), balances well with my primary priority and duties of being a matriarch (dedicated mother, nurturer, supporter, wise crone, elder & muse). My activities weave a different but beautiful tapestry of life every day and therein lies the harmony (or work-life balance).

4 What is Campaign Creator?

Creating educational campaigns is my side-hustle. #BootoBullies, Fair Divorce, Get Up and Grow and most recently Edugraphics all form part of Campaign Creator, a small business where I create marketing strategies to launch new campaigns about important societal issues that need to be addressed. This is where I love to get creative with web design, graphics, copywriting, networking, collaboration etc., all in an effort to advocate, increase awareness, educate, open difficult conversations and drive change to ultimately improve people’s lives. My pet project of designing and creating Edugraphics (educational infographics) remains a favourite activity. Through the years I’ve helped a few other people and causes get launched as well, which is fun to do from time to time.

5 Which interests do you love spending time on?

Every day starts with around two hours of barefoot grounding for myself, doing a 5 km meditative walk wherever I am, followed by strength training and gentle yoga to round it off.

I’m an avid reader so there are always a few books that I’m working through at any given time.

One of my childhood dreams was to be a singer, so that is still on my “to do” list, but until I manage to make that happen, I enjoy playing all kinds of music and singing along to my heart’s content.

Between my cat companion of the past 18 years, Ramkat, and our two little rescue dogs, Poeksie and Whiskey, I am happy to oblige with lots of love and attention whenever they demand it.

My secret passion is Ballroom and Latin Dancing, which I only manage to get to on the odd occasion when time allows and I find a willing partner.

Gardening is therapeutic for me and although it is currently limited to a collection of pots and a few other containers, my dream is to have space for a lush garden where I grow all my own food – fruit, vegetables and herbs.

There are 3 Get Up and Grow Challenges that I’m currently running:

• The one is to do a proper pull-up, which my strength training will help me to achieve soon.

• The other is to learn Sign Language, which I’m working on when my schedule permits. (I’m looking for someone with whom I can practice and be my accountability partner).

• The third is to create 365 short videos (less than a minute) depicting something I observe in nature that illustrates a valuable life lesson. To date I have posted more than 200, most of which can be seen on my Youtube Playlist Lessons from Nature.

Another meaningful meditative practice in honour of my family, which I’ve been working on for several months, is collecting shells on the beach to create something special. It’s a work in progress that gives me great joy.

Every winter I engage in an exercise of self-love, by making something for myself, to keep me warm. It started with crocheting a mandala for my bed, then knitting a hoodie throw over, followed by a crocheted poncho and this season I’m knitting a wrap around.

My sons and I are also keen sailors, with a Hobie 16 and a Sonnet that awaits in the summer months when the wind calls.

6 Tell us about your sons, Reuben and Timeon, and what they do.

My first -born son is Reuben, who’ll be 22 in October. He works full-time as a Cyber Security Engineer and devotes most of his free time to his strength training as a Natural Strongman Athlete, for which he has won several medals. He inspires me with his ambition, dedication and diligence when setting goals and achieving them one after the other. Reuben is also a very talented guitarist and singer, but only the very fortunate ever get to experience that.

My younger son is Timeon, who turned 18 in August. He just finished school and will be studying Theology at the University of Stellenbosch from next year. Timeon is also a dedicated Natural Strongman Athlete, who has won several medals and holds an African Record. He inspires me with his power of quiet observation, analysis and that quirky sense of humour. Timeon is a talented actor and sings with a powerful voice, so time will tell how he will use his talents to answer his calling.

Growing up with me as a solo parent has made them strong, reliable and loyal young men, with an immense capacity for love and compassion. They have a beautiful brotherhood for which I am truly grateful. Their ability to think critically, debate and solve problems, one of our favourite shared activities, makes me proud but keeps me on my toes.

Reuben executing the Farmer’s Walk

7 Your sons are enthusiastic Strongman athletes. What does this sport entail?

Strongman is a very entertaining spectacle that actually originated in the circus. It tests your strength and endurance for actions like putting a heavy frame on your back and carrying it (Yoke), picking up weight in your hands and walking with it (Farmer’s Walk), picking up a dead weight from the floor (Deadlift), lifting weight above your head (Log Press), pulling something heavy (Truck Pull), picking up a large object and carrying it over a distance (Atlas Stone, Husafell, Sandbags or Kegs) to name a few. Men and women participate in different weight classes and competitions normally run over two days with six to eight different events. With its roots in the 1800’s in Europe, the Strongman sport is legendary while Iceland holds the most titles.

Timeon executing the Silver Dollar Deadlift

8 You’ve become involved in marketing Strongman competitions. What does this involve, and what are the dreams you share with your sons?

As a parent, I’m a firm believer in supporting my children 100% to discover their talents, pursue their passions and play their rightful role in our family in such a way that they can serve their highest values. That entails always having their backs and being present for whatever they are doing or whenever they need me, to the best of my ability. If my son wants to be a rockstar, I’ll do my utmost to be backstage at every concert. If he wants to sail around the world, I’ll be at every port of call if possible. Right now, I am fortunate that they are both into the Strongman sport, so at least I don’t have to be in two places at the same time.

While participating in the recent Natural Strongman Worlds in Ireland, Reuben negotiated to launch and promote Natural Strongman South Africa and also include the whole of Africa. He asked me to assist with the campaign and off course I jumped on board immediately! We are still in the initial planning phase so you’ll have to follow me to see what transpires. Suffice to say that we’ll be hosting the very first Natural Strongman Africa competition early next year, along with a great campaign to increase awareness around the dangers of doping while at the same time launching initiatives to create opportunities for Natural Strongman Athletes.

Note: Sinta and her sons are in the process of creating a website and social media platforms for Strongman - follow her on social media (scroll down to About for the links) to be informed when Natural Strongman South Africa goes live.

About Sinta

Sinta Ebersohn is a post-traumatic growth specialist and internationally accredited mentor, trauma debriefing specialist, resilience practitioner, complementary therapist, holistic wellness counsellor, strategic life coach, parenting coach and training provider based in Cape Town. She is the founder and owner of  Get Up and Grow.

Sinta has received the African Excellence Award 2024  for Get Up & Grow.  

Mobile: +27 71 475 1167

Email address: info@getupandgrow.co.za

Websites: https://sintaebersohn.co.za/

                 https://getupandgrow.co.za/

https://fairdivorce.co.za/
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Thumbnail image: Unsplash

Photographs of Sinta Ebersohn: Michael le Grange

Other photographs: provided