Rachel Kolisi opens up: Life after Siya in new memoir and documentary

Rachel Kolisi

Cape Town – Rachel Kolisi, wellness influencer and ex‑wife of Springbok rugby captain Siya Kolisi, has begun publicly sharing her emotional journey of healing and self‑rediscovery following their high‑profile divorce — with a new memoir and documentary titled Falling Forward at the centre of her story.

The memoir and accompanying film, Rachel explains, are more than just a catalogue of hurt and separation — they are a platform for growth, resilience, and reshaping one’s identity after life‑altering change.

In conversations with the media about Falling Forward, Rachel emphasised that the project is grounded in self‑discovery and emotional transformation, rather than merely recounting the end of her marriage.

“My identity over the last 10 years has been tied to something I believed would last forever. And so my work, my family, and everything important to me… I was investing all of what I had into this thing [marriage], and then this thing didn’t work out, and it broke,” she said in a recent interview.

Rachel’s approach, she explained, is informed by the vulnerability and honest conversations she has had with women who reached out after she opened up about her experiences. “So many women told me that my openness helped them with their own challenges,” she said, underscoring the therapeutic role she believes her story can play in others’ lives.

 

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While Falling Forward directly speaks to her post‑divorce life, Kolisi has also publicly acknowledged the tensions she has faced — including criticism from some quarters about her decision to share her personal journey. Despite that, she said she chose to be transparent and brave in telling her story, hoping it resonates with people navigating their own difficult transitions.

The project expands beyond a book and film, with a planned national roadshow that will visit cities including Makhanda, Gqeberha, Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. It aims to foster open dialogue around healing, resilience, and growth. Kolisi described the memoir as a companion and guide for anyone learning how to keep moving after a fall — not merely a confession.

 

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