“Beauty means having self-confidence and attitude, while being kind, as well as using the qualities you hold to inspire others.”
Adéle says she grew up, matriculated, got married to her high school sweetheart, and gave birth to her two children in Bloemfontein. She is also the grandmother of two toddler boys and a baby girl.
She spends early mornings and late afternoons at The Studio Fun and Fitness centre where she’s a trainer and does functional and weight training with women only. “During the day I am at Mikaya Real Estate, assisting clients in buying and selling property.”
Adéle made a decision to turn her life around by going on a weight loss and fitness journey. “You are not too old, and it is never too late.” This is what she lives by since the decision to change her life was not made until she was 40 years old.
“I made many excuses for being overweight and tried numerous ‘miracle’ weight loss supplements. In the process, I ate and drank whatever I wanted to my heart’s content, hoping to keep the balance with my ‘miracle’ drugs,” she says.
She adds that her road to fitness was slow and rocky, “but my husband’s suggestion to try it eventually became a lifestyle change”.
Her own transformation journey was the main reason why she became a trainer. “From what and when to eat, to early morning workouts that leave me gasping for air, I have never looked back or regretted my decision to make the change.”
Adéle defines beauty as having self-confidence and attitude, while being kind, as well as using the qualities you hold to inspire others.
When asked what elements of the beauty industry she would change she says: “I can’t stand the fact that we get fed lies about how people look. Technology has become so good that anyone these days can have abs, no wrinkles and fit bodies. This makes the normal women feel like a failure.”
According to her, her greatest achievement to date is when she walked just over 1 000 kilometres in approximately 33 days from Bloemfontein to Cape Town for the University of the Free State’s No Student Hungry Programme.
The well-being of others is something Adéle is extremely passionate about. “Knowing that I am part of the outcome of a greater plan and the fact that I know I am working for a greater purpose motivates me to do a good job. I take pride in my work, but mostly I am inspired when roles are switched and I am the one who is inspired by the ones I taught.”
She is also motivated by seeing the satisfaction and assurance on a happy face, knowing that she was part of God’s plan to help someone accomplish their goals.
Adéle recently step into the property arena and even though she is still trying to find her feet, she is looking forward to expand her property portfolio. “We are also busy with exciting new ventures at the Studio which includes expanding space to accommodate more clients and adding new group fitness classes.”
What does she enjoys most about living in Bloem? “What is there not to love about Bloem? It takes only 20 min to drive from the one side to the other side of Bloem, during traffic hours… We are the friendliest, warmest creatures on earth – definitely the most beautiful woman in South Africa. We have sunny summers with braaivleis and mealies. To me, Bloem is not just a town, but a community. Bloem runs through my veins.”
Fitness and health advice from the pro:
“There is no miracle or secret. The things you need to do to change your body are hard. It takes courage, honesty and reflection to face the painful feelings that come with change.
“Transformation is more than just physical. It’s one thing to have muscles and look fit and lean, but it’s another to feel the overall physical, mental, and emotional benefits that come from taking care of your body.”
Text: JUSTINE FORTUIN Photography: GYPSEENIA LION
