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<\/p>\nOne day Kara Conradie is holding a flawless down-dog. The next, she\u2019s smashing PRs on the bench press. She\u2019s an all-round fitness powerhouse who pushes past her limits. And she\u2019s inspiring everyone around her to do the same.<\/p>\n
At first glance, yoga and bodybuilding might seem like total opposites. While one\u2019s all about balance and flexibility, the other\u2019s about raw strength. But according to Kara Conradie, they\u2019re a match made in fitness heaven.<\/p>\n
\u2018I believe that yoga keeps me flexible, focused, and centred, while bodybuilding builds my physical power and resilience. Together, they\u2019ve helped me not only sculpt my body, but also strengthen my mind.\u2019<\/p>\n
Kara was born and raised in Zimbabwe, and her fitness journey only started when she moved to America at 18. She landed a job at 24 Hour Fitness, one of the biggest corporate gyms in the world. And, let\u2019s just say it didn\u2019t take long before she was hooked.<\/p>\n
\u2018From the get go, the experience shaped my passion for fitness and wellness and taught me everything about the industry and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.\u2019<\/p>\n
Turns out, she was a natural. Before she knew it, she became the youngest gym manager in the industry, running the largest gym in California and overseeing a massive 4,000-member community on a daily.<\/p>\n
And since she was spending so much time at the gym, she might as well have made the best of it, right? She first tried yoga at 20, but it wasn\u2019t until her 30s (after moving back to Zim, getting married and having two kids) that she truly embraced it. Learning from incredible teachers along the way, her passion for the practice only deepened, which eventually led her to Goa, India, where she completed her first yoga teacher training.<\/p>\n
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\u2018I started with just one client \u2026 a truly special lady who\u2019s still with me today. Since then, I\u2019ve met hundreds of amazing people who\u2019ve enriched my journey. I\u2019ve now taught over 10 000 hours of yoga here in Pretoria.\u2019<\/p>\n
And she\u2019s not stopping anytime soon. After years of teaching in different Silverlakes venues, she\u2019s now building her very own yoga studio, expected to open later this year. You might want to watch this space!<\/p>\n
Then came her second love. Bodybuilding. Six years ago, a close friend convinced her to step on stage at an IFBB Gentle Giants bodybuilding competition. At first, she wasn\u2019t sure. But once she took the stage, it fitted her like a glove.<\/p>\n \u2018I fell in love with the challenge. Since then, I\u2019ve dedicated myself to competing and coaching, constantly pushing my limits and growing as a bodybuilder.\u2019<\/p>\n Her hard work paid off. Two years ago, she became a Protea athlete, repping SA at the Fit Model World Championships in Lithuania, where she placed second. Then, last year, she took home first place at the South African Championships, along with the overall Fit Model title.<\/p>\n The most incredible part though, is that she achieved all of this after turning 40 \u2026 all while juggling life as a wife, mom, and entrepreneur. Proof that age is just a number when you\u2019ve got the passion and dedication.<\/p>\n How does she juggle it all? Well, she wakes up early and makes every moment count. \u2018I truly believe in being an early bird. It sets a positive tone for the day. Plus, I\u2019ve been fortunate enough to meet incredible people along my journey, who inspire me to strive for better every day.\u2019<\/p>\n Two of these being her lovely daughters \u2026 11-year-old Lily and 16-year-old Sienna. Who, as a matter of fact, have very different interests. Lily is a dedicated tennis player, and Sienna an incredible artist. She\u2019s not too worried about them following in her fitness footsteps, but she leads by example, showing them that with drive and focus, anything is possible.<\/p>\n And when she\u2019s not training, coaching, or being a supermom, she\u2019s all about organisation (it brings her peace of mind) and self-care (nothing beats a long, relaxing bath at the end of the day).<\/p>\n For Kara, the real motivation isn\u2019t just winning medals. It\u2019s the constant pursuit of becoming a better version of herself. \u2018Every year brings new challenges and opportunities for growth. Knowing that I can keep evolving, setting goals, and crushing them keeps me inspired.\u2019<\/p>\n And honestly, watching her do it all makes the rest of us want to roll out a yoga mat, hit the gym, and chase our dreams with just as much fire.<\/p>\n Details: yogawithkara.co.za, csbbodyfusion.com or @yogawithkaralyn on Insta and @Yoga with Kara on FB<\/em><\/p>\n One message for women seeking to improve their health?<\/strong> Something that will always make your day?<\/strong> Your hidden talent?<\/strong> Your secret, less-healthy indulgence?<\/strong> Your life motto?<\/strong> What\u2019s next for Kara?<\/strong> One day Kara Conradie is holding a flawless down-dog. The next, she\u2019s smashing PRs on the bench press. She\u2019s an all-round fitness powerhouse who pushes past her limits. And she\u2019s inspiring everyone around her to do the same. At first glance, yoga and bodybuilding might seem like total opposites. While one\u2019s all about balance and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":21732,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40,20],"tags":[7128,8839,8842,8843,1515,2609,5427,487,221,5502,8838,8433,8840,8841,2030],"class_list":{"0":"post-21731","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-people","8":"category-personalities","9":"tag-alanicka-lotriet","10":"tag-bodybuilder","11":"tag-downdog","12":"tag-dumbbells","13":"tag-fitness","15":"tag-grow","16":"tag-gym","17":"tag-health","18":"tag-industry","19":"tag-kara-conradie","20":"tag-passionate","21":"tag-powerhouse","22":"tag-supermom","23":"tag-yoga"},"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/02\/Kara-SMALL-2-267x400.jpg\")
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\nYou are not alone in this journey. While it can be challenging, having the right support and guidance can make it much more manageable. I encourage everyone to be open to taking leaps and stepping out of their comfort zones, as that\u2019s where the true growth happens. It\u2019s essential for us as women to learn more about our bodies and to cultivate a sense of comfort and confidence at every stage of our lives.<\/p>\n
\nGetting into my nice, comfortable bed after a long day. There\u2019s something incredibly rewarding about that moment when I can finally unwind and drift off to sleep. Sleep is so important to me. It rejuvenates my mind and body, allowing me to tackle the challenges of the next day. A rested Kara is a happy Kara.<\/p>\n
\nI have a passion for dance. I dedicated 17 years to ballet and modern dance, and it was a significant part of my life. Although I haven\u2019t danced in many years, I often think about how I\u2019d like to incorporate it back into my life.<\/p>\n
\nI have to confess that I\u2019m known as sweet tooth, for a reason. I absolutely love sweet treats. However, since I\u2019ve shifted towards a more balanced and nutritious diet, my cravings for sweets have significantly decreased. That said, when I do indulge, you can bet it\u2019s with Haagen-Dazs peanut butter ice-cream. My absolute favourite.<\/p>\n
\nYou are one yoga class away from a good mood. It\u2019s a powerful reminder that no matter how challenging the day may be, engaging in any form of exercise (be it yoga, running, gym, or even a dance session) can turn things around. Movement has a unique way of shifting our mindset and lifting our spirits.<\/p>\n
\nWell, on a personal level I\u2019m challenging myself by confronting a long-standing fear of heights. At the end of the year, I\u2019ll be climbing Kilimanjaro with my husband. I believe sometimes we need to take a leap of faith to grow and evolve. Professionally, I\u2019m excited about the opportunity to work with my online clients and expand my business. My goal is to empower both lifestyle and bodybuilding clients to reach their full potential, just as I have by winning South African overall titles and qualifying for international competitions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"