As I sat down to write this, I was struck by how life sometimes pushes us to pivot in unexpected ways. My conversation with Dr. Taddy Blecher was one of those moments. The original plan was simple: record his "Invest In Yourself" podcast episode and share it with the world. But when the recording proved unusable, it offered an unexpected gift: the chance to pause, reflect, and truly absorb what he had shared with me. It reminded me that, while often painful, failure is an essential part of the journey toward growth.
Dr. Taddy, a pioneering social entrepreneur, leads the Maharishi Invincibility Institute, an organisation that offers free, consciousness-based education to marginalised youth. Their mission? To unlock human potential in ways that are not just innovative but deeply transformative. With my new role as Head of Education at EasyEquities - a role that challenges me to think differently while fueling my passion for helping people grow their wealth while growing themselves - this resonates with me deeply. It’s about inspiring a sense of empowerment - not just financially, but personally as well as they invest in their own futures. Listening to him talk about his work was like peeling back layers of what education could, and should, be. It wasn’t just about academics. It was about building better humans - resilient, thoughtful, and ready to lead.
A New Approach to Education
The Maharishi Invincibility Institute doesn’t just educate; it uplifts. It provides opportunities to young people who, statistically, haven’t had many. What struck me most was their focus on treating the individual as a whole person - body, mind, and spirit. Here was a system rooted in mindfulness, meditation, and nutrition (Dr. Taddy, a long-time vegan, ensures balanced meals are integral to the institute's ethos) that delivered extraordinary results: a 95% job placement rate for graduates! It was a beautiful reminder that investing in people, in their truest essence, pays dividends far beyond what traditional methods can achieve.
Dr. Taddy’s enthusiasm was contagious as he shared stories of students who had risen from challenging circumstances to become leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. They weren’t just numbers on a conveyor belt; they were lives changed forever. Lives that would, in turn, change others.
Turning Dreams into Reality
For me, the most awe-inspiring moment was hearing about their partnerships, like Anglo American’s donation of the iconic 45 Main Street building. Anglo gave the Institute a building worth R230 million for just R2.30 in a symbolic exchange that underscored their belief in the transformative power of education. Those who hold shares in Anglo American can be proud of being invested in a company that not only preaches social responsibility but practices it too.
With space for up to 5,000 students, the Institute has doubled its capacity, providing thousands more young people the chance to embark on life-changing journeys. Additionally, a perpetual maintenance fund ensures the building will stand as a beacon of hope for generations to come. This building also sits at the heart of his latest ambitious vision: transforming the Johannesburg CBD into an "education town," revitalising the area while creating opportunities for the youth of South Africa.
(For what it's worth, I wouldn't bet against him achieving just that! A fascinating story he shared was about their "ninja school" initiative in collaboration with top security companies like CAP Security. By offering advanced training programs, from technical skills to leadership, they are turning the city’s safety challenge into an opportunity for employment and community betterment.)
Cultivating the Inner Self
Dr. Taddy passionately spoke about mindfulness and meditation as cornerstones of his students’ transformation. “The human being is the greatest technology we know,” he said, emphasising that traditional education often neglects qualities like creativity, emotional intelligence, and leadership. By incorporating practices like Transcendental Meditation, students learn to quiet the noise, focus deeply, and unlock their infinite potential.
Imagine starting every day not with a rush, but with a moment to center yourself. That’s the norm at the Institute, where students dedicate 40% of their curriculum to developing their inner greatness. The results? Not just higher IQ scores and enhanced creativity, but a sense of purpose that propels them into meaningful careers.
For anyone, not just students, the takeaway is simple yet profound: invest in your inner self. Whether through meditation, exercise, or just taking a few moments to breathe deeply, these practices can transform how you approach challenges and opportunities alike. As Dr. Taddy put it, “If you want to do the impossible, you have to see the invisible.”
Mindfulness isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity in today’s fast-paced world. And, it’s a tool that aligns beautifully with our mission at EasyEquities: to empower people to take charge of their futures - financially, personally, and holistically.
Invest in Yourself... And Each Other
Having visited the Institute earlier this year, I was already inspired to name our podcast "Invest In Yourself" - a platform dedicated to helping individuals uncover how financial education and personal growth go hand in hand. Dr. Taddy’s philosophy, and the stories he shared, further reinforced why this mission is so close to my heart.
EasyEquities shares deeply aligned values with the Maharishi Invincibility Institute, and we are proud to work beside them with our gratitude extending to Dr. Taddy and his team for their instrumental role in our BEE verification process, which underscores the importance of creating opportunities for all.
Our CEO, Charles Savage, recently had the privilege of speaking to over 500 MII learners, leaving a lasting impression about the transformative power of education and investment. Starting your investment journey as early as possible is one of the most impactful decisions you can make for your financial future, tying directly into the holistic growth and empowerment we discussed earlier. I couldn’t help but wonder: what if we could create a future where financial stability and opportunity are accessible to all?
Having a stable job often means having a more stable income, which could provide opportunities to open the door to saving and investing -> By shaping holistic individuals - resilient, thoughtful, and empowered - with a 95% chance of being employed, the Maharishi Invincible Institute lays the foundation for financial literacy and the knowledge that investing early is key -> Pair that with an easy-to-use platform like EasyEquities, offering free financial education resources, and you’re talking about changing lives at scale!
It’s these shared values (a commitment to growth, empowerment, and accessibility) that inspire my work as Head of Education at EasyEquities. Together, we’re proving that by investing in ourselves and each other, we can create a better future for all.
Veronique van Rensburg