Marlize Stander, a 34-year-old resident of the West Rand, is leading by example in the fitness world.
Although she only started bodybuilding six years ago, she has received more accolades than many of those who have been in the game longer.
Marlize, who is now a professional fitness athlete and online coach, said she was spurred by her father to get into the sport and said no shred of masculinity dominating the industry intimidated her.
She sat on the judging panel for Mr and Mrs Randfontein in April this year and said becoming aware of the challenges that many women face made her decide that her mission would be to help them overcome.
“Over the past six years, I have learnt that the bodies of both men and women are equally capable of building muscle or maintaining a fit figure,” Marlize said.
She said bodybuilding challenged and motivated her for the better.
“Bodybuilding became a lifestyle that motivated me to change my figure, and my bad eating and drinking habits. It also gave me a sense of self-respect and humility for my body,” she said.
Thus far, Marlize has earned herself a 15th place at Worlds 2015, a 2nd in the SA Nationals 2017, a 1st in the Arnold Classic 2017, a 1st in the H&H Bodybuilding Classic 2017/ 2018, a 2nd in the Ultimate Sport Nutrition (USN) Gentle Giant 2017 and a 1st in the Physical Culture Association (PCA) Gauteng Provincials 2018.
“I have also competed in various international competitions like the Arnold Classic, where I was placed 1st in SA, and the Amateur Olympia in Liverpool where I was placed 15th in the world,” Marlize said.
She recently won the Physical Culture Association (PCA) Provincial competition and will be competing at national level on Saturday, 1 September this year.
When asked about being a woman and whether she is creating the same opportunities for women as are available to their male counterparts, Marlize said that through an elite sponsored team of fitness professionals, she does various programmes and events to promote fitness for men and women.
Marlize said women in general struggle with weight loss and muscle gain, and many with children and full-time careers battle to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Marlize also said she is happy to dedicate herself to bodybuilding alongside her husband, who is also a fitness fanatic.
Het jy dalk meer inligting rakende dié storie? Stuur gerus vir ons ‘n e-pos na randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (onthou asseblief om jou kontak besonderhede by te voeg) of skakel ons by 011 693 3671.
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