TV presenter, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Mishka Loesch on learning hard lessons, planning for the future, and working actively on mental health.
With the new year still fresh in her mind, TV presenter, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Mishka Loesch admits that she fully believes in the power of manifesting, and holds her resolutions close to her heart for the year ahead. ‘During the pandemic – especially around the time it started, there were so many challenges,’ she says, ‘the stress about all business and job opportunities potentially being gone, and not knowing if I would even book one job in a whole month was tough. That was when my anxiety really kicked in and spiralled. I learned some hard lessons through all of that.’
These lessons, however, are what motivates and drives Mishka to look to the new year with renewed positivity and hope. ‘There were three big lessons that I learned last year: always prepare for the worst, but expect the best; never let anxiety get the better of you and ask for help if you need it, it’s okay; and after every storm, there’s a rainbow – it can’t rain forever.’ This is the optimism and focus that radiates from Mishka in all she does. Never one to dwell on setbacks, she is a go-getter in every sense of the word, and has made it a part of her life’s work to help others.
After entering the modelling industry at 21 (and competing as one of the top finalists in the 2014 Miss South Africa pageant), she quickly entered the entertainment industry, gracing television screens as a presenter. Today, she is also a motivational speaker and life coach, using her experience and platform to reach and uplift others. ‘In 2015, I started the Mishka Loesch Success Classes – back then it was called Mishka Patel Success Classes – and I primarily focused on working with girls between the ages of 12 and 13. For me, it was about uplifting and inspiring them. When we started we did things like create vision boards, work on self-confidence, and combat bullying, all while looking at their futures and how they can get closer to achieving their goals.’ After doing that for three years, Mishka decided to do more to break down the walls that many of these girls had built up while dealing with the difficult situations that came up in her sessions. ‘That was when I decided to become a life coach. And I am so glad that I did because it’s been so beneficial to the girls that I work with, as well as my other clients.’
But Mishka admits that while helping others is a passion of hers, she makes sure to invest time in resting and recharging herself too. ‘I’ve recently discovered the power of staying active,’ she says. ‘Over the last several months I’ve made an hour of exercise first thing in the morning my top priority. And wow! It’s really changed my energy levels, confidence and helped me on my journey to finding balance.’ She adds that ‘Self-Care Sundays’ are now also a ritual and a must. ‘I literally turn my phone on flight mode, and use the whole day to rest.’ Mishka also finds herself escaping into nature, and after the last year, she once again understood just how important and powerful it is. ‘I’m lucky enough to stay just five minutes away from the beach. My husband and I make it a priority to go for long walks on the beach at least once a week, or sometimes go for a long run. Nature is really important to me, and I realised, good for me too.’ Asked why finding the time for herself is so important, Mishka opens up about her struggles with anxiety, and how important it is to her to work on mental health.
‘The pandemic took so much away from all of us, and for me it was really a mental-health battle. I only started getting better at working on it last year, and I had to make very hard and conscious decisions along the way. Above all, I had to learn that it’s okay to prioritise myself and my needs.’ Mishka eventually opened up about her struggles with anxiety, and she says that the responses she received were really surprising. ‘It was really scary at first to talk publicly about this, but I knew that sharing my story could perhaps help others. But I was really surprised to see just how many people were dealing with the exact same thing. The number of emails and DMs I received was quite amazing. Social media can be such a touch-and-go thing, but I’m glad that I have been able to use my platforms for good. I felt I needed to share not only the good, but the bad as well. I have so many girls and women who follow me, and sometimes taking a gamble, even to help just one person, can be so worth it.’ Mishka looks back at the obstacles, both in her career due to the pandemic, and battling with mental health, and finds gratitude and peace with it. ‘I’m lucky that I have been able to use my life- coaching skills to overcome many of these obstacles. This is ultimately what will see many of my future plans come to life. But most importantly, it has equipped me to get through this year mentally and physically strong!’
Words by Edwain Steenkamp
Photography K-leigh Siebritz
