How did you discover your passion for —–? OR How did your fitness journey start?
I was born to a sporty family and a rugby community, I’ve always been an active child and participated in sport at a very young age.
What has been some of your challenges and triumphs throughout your journey?
Being a woman in a field dominated is a challenge on its own, it is even working to be a female referee in the top flight league of the country. It comes with a lot of criticism, doubts, and shameing. Regardless of the challenges I’ve endured I have my shiny days that I am grateful for, having to participated in 4 cup finals in the league, officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations, and also officiate top teams in the league is an amazing opportunity and I celebrate those achievements.
What are your views on exercise and nutrition as part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle?
Those two aspects are very vital for every athlete. They make us as they bring in a lot of discipline. To stay in shape and to perform at your best you definitely need good nutrition and this should be a lifestyle thing.
How do you find motivation and the energy to pursue your passions, your business and still stay active and healthy?
My background is enough motivation for me to do better, to be better than I was yesterday and also to bring the change that I want for myself, for my family, for my community, for my country, and the generations to come. Also knowing that the change doesn’t come from staying in my comfort zone, opportunities are out there and they just need us to go after them. There’s nothing I can not achieve if I change my mindset and chase what I want, that’s my motivation
Why do you think it is important to have balance?
Exercise and nutrition are even more important especially during these trying times of COVID-19, boosting our immune systems should be our priority and you can’t strengthen your immune system without good nutrition and exercise hence I said in the beginning this is very vital for our health and for every individual.
Take us through a day in your life.
I wake up at 4 am, pray – take a quick shower, listen to my motivations for 10 minutes. I then prepare my pre-workout and at 5 am I start my training session and finish at 6am. I’ll then have my breakfast that’s normally a smoothie, I love smoothies! Depends on the plan of the day, if I have meetings to attend to those if not, I watch my games and analyze them try see points I need to improve, and also analyze other match officials . Afterwards, I take a good nap and get ready for my second session at 4 pm and finish 5pm. I then go home to prepare dinner for the family and before bed I read. I go to bed at 9pm
What does your diet/nutrition look like?
Mostly veggies, fruits and protein throughout the week. I only eat starchy food on Fridays in preparation for weekend games. I also drink lots and lots of water, I don’t like juices and carbonated drinks.
What does your training look like? What kind of training do you believe in and why?
I do a lot of functional training in morning sessions and in the afternoon, I do more referee specific training that includes maybe speed training, speed agility, endurance, coordination, and decision making.
How do you stay mentally healthy and strong?
I read a lot, listen to my motivation books, and talk to my mentor.
What message do you aim to portray to your followers? How do you aim to inspire them?
You can do and achieve anything you want when you work hard and never give up. And also consistency is key lastly be kind to other people
Who/what inspires you?
I get inspired by a lot of people especially women who are not influenced by negativity and people who are hard workers regardless gender and game changers, people who dare to dream and work hard to meet their goals.
What is your favourite #strongwomen quote?
Your purpose becomes your passion. Whatever it is – children, community, family – it is what gets you out of bed every morning”- Peggy Sue Khumalo
Who inspires you to be a strong woman?
Dr Sarah Hillyer – My mentor
Yay or Nay what does Akhona say?
Stretching every day? YAY
Functional fitness? YAY
Crossfit? NAY
Running? YAY
Resistance training? YAY
Author: Logan Leigh Rix
Logan blends her passion and profession by working as a digital and social media marketer and content creator in the fitness, health and wellness industry. She’s also a personal trainer, former Face of Fitness finalist and Fitness Magazine featured athlete.
Leave a Reply