Andene, better known as the #girlboss behind the Healthy Girl brand, catches us up on her recent new HG product launch, her competing plans, and how she’s handled running multiple businesses during a pandemic.
Covid-19 has presented a lot of challenges to business owners. How has it affected you?
In terms of online training, it has only presented opportunity! I am very fortunate to be an online trainer during this time as it has actually given me more time to focus on my Team Healthy Girl Challenges and continue to improve my offering for the THG community.
For Healthy Girl Foods, although we were classified as an essential business and fortunate to continue operating, our manufacturing and production process has definitely taken longer than we would have liked. However, we are IMMENSELY grateful that our business has been able to keep its doors open. Despite the challenging and uncertain times we find ourselves in, we still have the opportunity to launch into the market and provide our beautiful customers with the BEST woman’s foods and supplements that we can.
Keeping positive during these difficult times can be tough! How have you kept your spirits up?
Routine, goals and doing the things that make me happy. There is SO much power and light in exercise – this is my go-to pick-me-up! AND, there is nothing like some good tunes to get you dancing and feeling better too! Daily routine is EVERYTHING to me (it keeps me sane) and having big goals keep me hopeful and motivated, even on the difficult days, which has been a godsend.
Business
You’re currently an online coach and also run Healthy Girl Foods. Is it difficult juggling being both a coach and an entrepreneur?
It is very, very tricky. I have had to set up major boundaries and structure to get everything done and make sure I have enough energy to get through it all. Priorities, boundaries and structure are absolutely key for me right now.
How did it feel releasing your new HG product during Covid?
EXCITING, mind-blowing and terrifying all at the same time!
Can you tell us a little more about the story behind your new product?
The Healthy Girl brand all started with a protein ball. At the age of 22, I was new to the fitness industry and knew NOTHING about cooking or baking. I was starting to do more and more fitness model shoots. It was during this time that my love for health and fitness grew and I began to learn more about nutrition and training. However, I felt the need to create homemade treats that would not only be healthier for me but would satisfy my sweet tooth, too.
After lots of research, I began to play around in the kitchen. The first treat I ever made and totally fell in love with was a protein ball. From there, I was a little mad scientist in the kitchen making all kinds of treats, and haven’t looked back since.
Our first HGF product was our DIY No Bake Protein Ball Mixes, which have been a hit for four years now. I always knew that I ultimately wanted to offer a ready-made version and since partnering up with Werner Weber (CEO & Founder of Youthful Living), this dream and SO much more has become possible.
Our ready-made protein balls (Signature, Hazelnut and Peanut Butter) are based on my personal recipes and they taste absolutely AMAZING! We are bursting to hear what our customers think! There are years and year of love and passion that have gone into this project.
With your protein balls being such a success, do you plan on releasing any more products soon?
YES! We have one more new product, which we will reveal in the next few weeks. We also have another two products currently in development. We cannot wait to share!
Competing
You won your WBFF pro card last year. How was prepping for that show different to previous times?
When I was younger, I was so caught up in all the wrong things; caught up in numbers, caught up in perfection, caught up in looking a certain way. I became too restrictive with my nutrition and eventually lost all love for exercise. One day I very profoundly realised that my head and heart were totally in the wrong place. So, at this point, I decided to stop and rather put my energy into getting healthy and happy from the inside out.
I actually never thought I would compete again, which was sad because I LOVE being on stage. I love performing, I love the glam and I love being an athlete and competitor. I grew up as a competitive freestyle dancer, which is why my heart feels so at home in this space.
It took me five years to get back on the stage. And during those five years I did the most important work of all, which was getting the inside right first and foremost. The journey was incredibly difficult BUT so worth it.
My first prep back was like night and day compared to years ago. I am coached by Nathan Harewood, who is the BEST in the biz. His knowledge and guidance, coupled with my head and heart finally being in the right place, have been such a winning recipe. This is truly one of the BEST journeys I have ever walked! Competing isn’t about the outside for me anymore, it is all about the inside!
Do you plan on competing again any time soon?
YES! I was planning on competing at the WBFF Next Level World Tour in the Bahamas at the end of August. But due to Covid-19, the show got changed to a virtual show, which I’ll be competing in on the 29th of August, which is soooo exciting! From there the goal is to hopefully compete again in London this November.
Prepping for a show can be TOUGH, not just physically but mentally too! How do you handle the mental challenges that come with prepping for a show?
I constantly check in with myself and keep my head and heart in check. As you get closer to your goal, doubt can creep in and your mind can play tricks on you. When that happens I just turn my focus to what truly matters and I trust in my coach. If he is happy, then I am happy. Simple!
Training
Home workouts have become the norm due to Covid. What is your favourite at home workout?
Legs and HIIT, for sure!
Do you prefer weight training or cardio-based workouts?
I love both! Cardio is like sacred meditation and visualisation time for me. Weight training is where I push, turn my music up and WORK! I love the combo of both.
How many times a week do you work out?
Six days a week. Currently, I do cardio and HIIT 6 days a week and strength training 5 days a week.
Nutrition
You’re the queen of balance when it comes to food. Do you have any tips on how to build a better relationship with food?
It all starts with love. Love for yourself and love for your food! Food is your friend and food is a beautiful part of life that needs to be ENJOYED!
Media has painted food out to be evil and it has painted healthy eating as this boring, restrictive, horrible thing. Years ago I decided to turn this belief system on its head and show myself just how amazing food and nutrition can be.
Can you share what a day of eating looks like?
- BREAKFAST: Oats and egg white pancake with almond butter and cinnamon
- PRE LUNCH: Protein and veggies
- LUNCH: Protein veggie pasta
- POST WORKOUT: Protein shake
- PRE DINNER: Protein and veggies
- DINNER: Protein and veggies
Personal
Do you have any exciting things happening coming up?
- HGF: New products launching and in creation. We will also be in some of the top retailers nationwide SOON which we cannot wait to reveal!
- THG: We have our last few challenges for the year coming up and we will be finishing 2020 off with a BANG!
- COMPETING: My “Lemonade” WBFF World Trial Show and. fingers crossed. London in November.
- PERSONAL: I am turning 30 in October!
Yay or nay? What does Andene say?
Low-carb diet? Nay
Daily training? Yay, but rest days too!
Veganism? Yay
Yoga? NamasYay
Resistance band workouts? Yay
Crop tops? YAY
Online training? YAY
Goal setting? YAAAAY
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