Story & Lesson Highlights with Mphatso Khuzwayo of By Perimeter Mall

We recently had the chance to connect with Mphatso Khuzwayo and have shared our conversation below.

Mphatso, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Right now, I’m being called to step fully into leadership—both on the football field and in my nursing career. For a long time, I was afraid of leadership because it meant trusting my own voice and stepping into spaces where I didn’t always see people who looked like me in charge. I used to think, “Y’all sure you want me to lead?”—but apparently God and life both said, Yes ma’am, get up there.

On the field, I’m learning to be the kind of leader who brings strength, communication, and consistency—someone my teammates can depend on when the pressure is high. Football taught me that leadership isn’t just physical; it’s emotional, mental, and spiritual.

In my nursing career, stepping toward leadership means advocating, teaching, and guiding with confidence. It’s a shift from being the bedside nurse to being the one others come to for direction. That used to intimidate me, but now I see how much compassion, clarity, and calm I bring to the table.

This season is calling me to stop shrinking, stop doubting, and step boldly into the rooms prepared for me. Leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about choosing courage over comfort. And I’m finally answering that call… even if I still get butterflies before I speak up

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Mphatso Khuzwayo, and I’m the founder of Yoni pHotion—a women’s wellness drink designed to help women prioritize their vaginal and reproductive health from the inside out. I’m also a nurse, so everything I create is rooted in education, science, and real conversations women should’ve been having a long time ago.

Yoni pHotion started in my kitchen as a simple idea: what if women had a natural, delicious way to support their pH and overall wellness daily? Now it’s grown into a brand that doesn’t just sell a product— we teach women why their vaginal health matters. Think of it as your favorite homegirl mixed with a health educator… and maybe a little pineapple and ginger.

Right now, I’m expanding Yoni pHotion into more beauty and wellness spaces and building partnerships that help normalize vaginal health education. My mission is simple: help women feel confident, informed, and in tune with their bodies—because a healthy yoni is essential, not optional.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My dad. My dad taught me the importance of having a good work ethic. I can remember as a child if I did not wash the dishes well or sweep the floor properly, he would always say, “men will eat by the sweat of their brow”- a verse from the bible. And he would make me do the job all over again, I hated it! But it taught me how to be a good worker and has allowed me to work jobs I was under qualified just because my employer was able to trust my work ethic. So cudos to my dad!

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that held me back the most was the fear of not being “enough.” Not strong enough, not experienced enough, not worthy enough to lead, be loved, or take up space. For years, that fear made me shrink in moments where I should’ve stepped forward. It made me overthink opportunities, second-guess my gifts, and play small even when I knew I had the capacity to do more.

As a nurse and a football player, you’re constantly put in situations that test your confidence and your voice. I used to worry that if I spoke up, led a team, or took on more responsibility, people would question why I thought I was qualified. But what I’ve learned is that confidence grows from action—showing up scared but showing up anyway.

Now, I’m actively unlearning that fear. Therapy, self-work, and stepping into leadership on the field and in my career have taught me that I am capable, I am prepared, and I am worthy of every room I walk into. I still feel the fear sometimes, but I no longer let it sit in the driver’s seat.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m deeply committed to advocating for Black patients in the hospital—no matter how long it takes and no matter how many systems I have to push against. As a nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how bias, miscommunication, and lack of advocacy can affect the quality of care Black people receive. It’s something that has shaped me both personally and professionally.

For me, this isn’t a trend or a short-term passion. It’s a lifelong mission. I want Black patients to feel heard, believed, and safe when they walk into a hospital. Whether that means educating families on how to advocate for themselves, mentoring newer nurses, speaking up in difficult moments, or creating tools that bridge gaps in understanding—I’m committed to doing the work.

Even if the progress feels slow, I know the impact is generational. Every patient who feels protected, every family that leaves with answers instead of fear, every young nurse who learns to stand up for equitable care—that’s change.

This is work I will do as long as I’m breathing.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I was someone who left them encouraged—no matter where they met me, what season they were in, or what they were struggling with. I want my story to be that I made people feel lighter, seen, and capable again. Whether it was through nursing, football, Yoni pHotion, or just everyday life, I want folks to remember that I always spoke life into them.

I hope people say I was the kind of woman who didn’t just walk in her purpose but helped others believe in theirs. Someone who gave hope when people felt discouraged, who reminded women of their worth, and who made people feel better simply by being in the room.

If my legacy is that I encouraged people to keep going—then I lived well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yoniphotion.com
• Instagram: @zulunurse
• Linkedin: Mphatso Khuzwayo
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/zulunurse