Leaveil Ward is a trainer at Quest Gym, the owner of a supplement shop as well as the founder of Leaveil Ward Fitness. He also recently embarked on a new journey, working at a rehab centre in Bainsvlei where he emphasises the importance of exercise in the recovery process.
Leaveil started his fitness journey at a young age. According to him, he focused more on training and the gym than he did on his books. This prompted him to drop out of varsity and fully focus on his journey in the fitness industry.
From dropping out of varsity to battling self-doubt, he was forced to face adversity head-on. Leaveil believes that “fitness doesn’t require talent, only discipline,” and this discipline has fueled his transformation from a gym enthusiast to inspiration for countless individuals seeking to improve their lives.
“I was naturally drawn towards it. Even in my teenage years. While other kids would dive into PlayStation games and have fun, I used to work at the gym, and that’s how my fitness journey started,” he says.
In 2013, Leaveil started his supplement store from the back of his boot. He has built this brand over the years and the business has grown tremendously into a fully-fledged supplement shop in Quest Gym. Here he also focuses on assisting customers with nutritional solutions, whether it be through supplements or on-the-go smoothies.
What sets Leaveil apart from other trainers is his unique philosophy of ‘Work on Your Hero’. This concept, rooted in self-belief and personal growth, is something that Leaveil resonates with in his personal journey.
According to him, the concept puts oneself at the forefront of being your own hero. He describes it as actively working towards the ideal version of the person you see in your future. It’s a mindset that resonates with everyone, from students striving for academic success to parents balancing family and career aspirations.
“When you work on your hero, it is the level that you aspire to be tomorrow, and doing everything in your power to become that person today,” he explains.
Leaveil believes that true confidence comes from striving to be the best version of oneself every day, and he encourages his clients to embrace this mind-set both in and out of the gym.
Though Leaveil battles with self-confidence and self-doubt from time to time, he believes that he becomes a force to be reckoned with when confidence starts to flow.
“When I really start working on my hero and step out of my comfort zone and push myself on a mental and physical level, that’s when my true potential and confidence kicks in. The people I work with on a daily basis also fuel my confidence even more. That’s what makes me work on my hero and that’s how I incorporate it in my own life,” he says.
“I really believe confidence and humility aren’t opposites. You’ve got to be humble enough to put in the work,” he expresses.
For him, the most rewarding part of his journey is not the accolades or achievements but the opportunity to stay grounded and keep laying bricks, metaphorically speaking.
Leaveil advises aspiring entrepreneurs to work hard because: “Hard work separates and sets you apart from others. Hard work beats talent every day.”
Looking ahead, Leaveil dreams of creating inclusive, community-driven initiatives like ‘robot workouts’, where people of all backgrounds can come together to pursue their fitness goals. He further hopes to engage with schools, sports teams, and rehabilitation centres to spread his message of empowerment.
Leaveil also recently launched his Work on Your Hero fitness apparel under his company Leaveil Ward Fitness and is looking forward to building this brand in the future by adding exciting fitness gear to this collection.
Text: Justine Fortuin
