Welcome back to Spotlight Hustle, where we celebrate Black women who redefine leadership through compassion, courage, and conviction.
Today we feature Mapela Custodio — wellness educator, health coach, and entrepreneur. Her story is one of resilience rooted in faith and guided by intuition. From Pretoria to the United States, Mapela has built a life and business grounded in care, connection, and belief — proving that strength doesn’t always roar; sometimes, it breathes quietly through balance and consistency.
Roots of Resilience
Mapela Custodio grew up in Pretoria, South Africa, during the apartheid era — a time when her world was defined by both division and determination. Yet, in her home and community, she never felt limited. Love was abundant, dreams were encouraged, and the message was clear: success required hard work, faith, and imagination.
“My mother was a woman of few words,” she recalls, “but her actions taught me everything — strength, kindness, and the quiet courage to keep going.”
That upbringing shaped her mindset early. While the world outside was unpredictable, her foundation was strong. She learned to dream beyond circumstance and believe that her life could be bigger than the limitations placed around her.
Pivoting With Purpose
Mapela began her career in hospitality, management, and entrepreneurship in South Africa — a field that combined her love for service and structure. After moving to the United States and becoming a military spouse, she pivoted into higher education, working in administration and leadership roles.
But even as her career advanced, something within her shifted. She noticed a deeper need — people didn’t just need structure or strategy; they needed healing.
“As I grew in my own wellness journey, I realized that health isn’t just about the body,” she explains. “It’s about feeling supported, seen, and safe enough to change.”
That realization birthed her next chapter: building a wellness business centered on holistic transformation — offering guidance, accountability, and empowerment to people ready to reclaim their health and their lives.
Healing, Advocacy, and the Power of Self-Belief
In 2021, Mapela faced one of her greatest personal challenges. Living with endometriosis, she underwent a total hysterectomy, only to find herself struggling through a long and difficult recovery.
“I had to fight for my own healing,” she says. “I educated myself, followed my intuition, and invested in my well-being. It took over two years, but I came out stronger — not just physically, but spiritually.”
Her recovery became the foundation for her calling. She now teaches her clients to be their own advocates — to listen to their bodies, trust their instincts, and never surrender their power to circumstance.
“I view every setback as a lesson,” she reflects. “Sometimes you don’t understand the purpose right away, but in time, it always reveals itself.”
Mindset, Movement, and the Art of Balance
These days, Mapela’s mornings begin before sunrise — between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. Her ritual is simple yet sacred: movement, gratitude, and stillness.
“I love starting my day with a workout. It sets the tone for everything else,” she says. From there, she balances home life, motherhood, and her coaching business with the precision of someone who knows the value of both discipline and rest.
She believes balance isn’t something you stumble upon — it’s something you create.
“My calendar isn’t just for meetings,” she smiles. “It’s a contract with myself. I schedule everything that matters — from workouts and meals to creativity and quiet time.”
Representation, Wellness, and Legacy
As a Black woman in the wellness industry, Mapela has had to carve her own lane. She’s faced moments of being underestimated or overlooked — but instead of shrinking, she expanded.
“These experiences deepened my empathy,” she says. “They reminded me that wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all. Everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and supported in their own unique way.”
Representation, for her, means showing up authentically — not performing perfection, but modeling presence.
And through her work, she’s building a legacy of belief — the belief that small, consistent steps lead to lasting transformation.
Why We Love Mapela’s Story
Because she reminds us that healing is power.
Because she leads with patience, presence, and purpose.
Because she shows us that real success isn’t about how fast you move — it’s about how grounded you stay.
Mapela’s story is a masterclass in grace — in slowing down, listening inward, and trusting that even the smallest act of self-care can ripple into something extraordinary.
Rapid Fire Round (Fun + Punchy)
- Coffee or tea? Coffee — always.
- Morning person or night owl? Morning person.
- One word to describe this season of your life? Power.
- Book you love right now? The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins.
- Mantra: “Every little bit you do counts.”
- Favourite physical activity: Running.
- Discipline hack: “My calendar is my contract — it holds space for my whole life, not just my work.”
Join the Movement
Be inspired by women like Mapela who are transforming business, wellness, and leadership from the inside out. They’re shaping the future, and you’re part of it.
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