YOU CAN BE ANYTHING

In her book “Empty roads and broken bottles; in search for the Perhaps” Charlotte Eriksson writes:  “Dear world, I am excited to be alive in you, and I am thankful for another year.”  That`s exactly how I feel today, although it`s still more than six weeks until 2020 is over. 

On Thursday evening we had our annual end-of-the-year function and Summer Challenge prize giving ceremony, and it definitely was one for the books!  61 members and 13 Zoom members pitched for this joyful occasion in colourful and original outfits – I mean, what else do you expect when the theme is “You can be anything”…?!

Writing about our function is always one of the highlights of my year, but this one is the cherry on top –  During this Covid-crazy 2020 there have been many moments that I thought we would never be able to host a function ever again, let alone celebrate a Fitness Challenge or honour members for their hard work.

No wonder I decided to pitch as Wonder Woman – 2020 was the year that had me wondering, a lot…I`ll never forget that Tuesday, the 19^th of March 2020, when we hosted our New Year Challenge prize giving ceremony.  It was two days before lockdown – and I wondered why it had felt like a funeral instead of a party…Then came lockdown, and I wondered if we would ever be able to open our doors again.  I wondered how it would be possible to present online classes, I wondered if I would ever be able to get all the technical issues of the Zoom classes sorted out, and voila – here we are today.  Not only did we manage to host a Winter Challenge during lockdown with 54 participants, 94 members joined our Summer Challenge and I am so thankful and proud that on this 22^nd day of November 2020 we actually have more members than before lockdown.

More than ever before do I agree with the words of Shel Silverstein: “Don`t listen to the mustn’ts, child.  Don’t listen to the don’ts.  Don`t listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts.  Don`t listen to the never haves, listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”

If we don`t give up on something we believe in, we WILL find a way.  And this is exactly what the members of Mirna`s Aerobic Studio have proved in 2020.  69 participants managed to complete our 9-week Summer Challenge, and here are our winners:

From left to right:  Stacey du Toit (top 10), Hannelie Slabber (top 10), Mirna, Carien Bester (top 10), Lady B Maseko (3^rd) and Annebie Venter (1^st)

Zoom members: Lilian Maree (2^nd place) Leonie Prinsloo (top 10) Michelle Venter (top 10)

Martie Badenhorst (top 10) and Gosia Snyman (top 10)

Our Year Challenge winners are:

Hannelie Slabber (3^rd), Carien Bester (2^nd) and Annebie Venter (1st)

Best dressed members were Rethia Naudé, Elizabeth Cawthorne, Trudie van der Bank, Stacey du Toit and Anita Bester. And our Zoom best dressed members, Jacolien van Wyk and Renette Rootman

Without incredible sponsors our evening would be impossible and I would like to thank Hannes Zwarts oogkundiges, Carien from Avon, Sonnet from Mizpah, Christien from C-Beauty, Merisha from Beauty on Kano, Rina Maree from Avroy Shlain, Carol and Natie from Burlec, Natasha Kuhl from Herbalife, Rethia Naude from Tupperware and Rethia and Lizana Thomas from Truvusion.  A huge shoutout to Odette Schmulian from Party Fusion for adding splendour to our evening with her decorations, as always.

Our cash lucky draw winners were: 

Rita Kemp (R1700), Michelle Venter (R900), Sandrie Marais (R500), Vickie Potgieter (R500) and Elmi Peek (R350)

Here is a “short summary” of everyone who received special recognition:

Elite athletes (members with body fat under 20%) are:

Nicole Venter, Stella Kalp, Gosia Snyman (13^th Challenge), Izelde Zwarts (11^th Challenge), Hannelie Slabber (11^th Challenge) and Michelle Odendaal (14^th Challenge).

Members who reached their best ever body stats in 2020 are:

Riana Jacob, Natasha Kuhl, Michelle Venter (Progress in Power pump), Lilian Maree (muscle gain award and 2^nd most sessions done), Lady B Maseko (biggest drop in weight and visceral fat), Irene Mothlabi (special recognition weight-loss), Merisha Naidoo (special recognition weight-loss), Karin Randell, Martie Badenhorst, Corné Kemp, Leonie Prinsloo (12^th Challenge and most sessions done),  Annebie Venter (13^th Challenge, biggest drop in fat percentage and recognition for Power pump), Carien Bester (Member of the year), Sandrie Marais (14^th Challenge) and Stacey du Toit (15^th Challenge).

Special recognition for social media support: 

Riana Jacob, Michelle Venter, Carien Bester, Annebie Venter, Stacey du Toit, Gosia Snyman (13^th Challenge), Natasha Kuhl, Lilian Maree, Martie Badenhorst, Lizelle Botha (14^th Challenge), Ina van der Linde, Liezel Nel

Other special awards:

Tehila Slabber (Best improvement from end of Winter to start of Summer Challenge), Rethia Naudé (Special effort, Chirpy Challenge chick and improved stats), Juanita Dedekind (Mirna`s Ambassador 2020 and improved stats), Marie Jonker (Special effort and improved stats), Allison van der Walt (11<sup>th</sup> Challenge and improved stats), Marthie Botes (11<sup>th</sup> Challenge and improved stats), Carina van der Merwe (lone wolf), Trudie van der Bank (Survivor and improved stats), Vickie Potgieter (special recognition for step), Mbali Shabangu (Progress in step), Marinda Rautenbach (weight-loss), Leané von Wielligh (special recognition for cardio fun), Hanné Swart (special recognition for step), Elizabeth Cawthorne (Miss Personality), Janeke de Witt (Mirna`s Ambassador 2020), Jacolien van Wyk and Bilkish Paruk (Challenge newcomers of the year), Eleni Visser (Progress in Pilates), Charmoné Prinsloo (Newcomer of the year), Marni Rossouw (Progress in Zumba), Thandeka Soko (soft-spoken member of the year), Futhi Mohale (Progress in Cardio Fun), Melinda du Plessis (15th Challenge),

This year I would like to acknowledge every member who was present – I wish I could present you all with a best dressed prize and special recognition award, but do know that I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart: Elizma Pretorius, Funeka Mokoena, Lina Hunhle, Lindiwe Hleza, Tirsa du Toit, Nokwanda Hlatshwayo, Ursula Heydenreich, Carol Myburgh.  Also Challenge participants Ilené van der Walt, Madelein Snyman, Salmi Jacobs, Zané Rothmann, Berdine Meyer, Jacqui Babbage, Nicolene von Gent, Rina Clifford, Mari Kruger (special recognition for taking care of Mirna`s Blog and weekly posts), Annalize Breedt (13th Challenge), Helen Lengenhager (14th Challenge), Anneri Kannemeyer, Christien Nagel, Portia Mangane, Arlette Madiya and Marie-Louise Myburgh.

A special word of thank you to my team: Edrei du Toit, Dedré Schoeman and Sarita Kock.  You are appreciated beyond words.  And Mariné, thank you for the huge impact you had on so many lives with your nutrition coaching.  

Writer Danielle Doby once wrote: “My tribe are light bringers, magic makers, world shifters, game shakers.  They uplift and expand me, they don`t let me play small with my life.  These heartbeats are my people.  These people are my tribe.”  Me too – I cannot thrive without my tribe.

We are in week 3 of our 6-week Summer Shred Challenge, so we are still going strong!  Whether you are part of the Challenge, part of our studio or not:

May you always choose to love your body, this beautiful vessel you have been given.

May you always give yourself permission to change and keep changing and to understand the underlying truth when it comes to becoming – it doesn`t have to mirror anyone else.

And if you haven’t yet in 2020 – choose to let go of the heavy, of the half-hearted, choose to nourish what is willing to grow and choose to be grateful for all the teachings of your yesterdays, choose to honour your whole self and choose to step forward with clear eyes, heart open, two feet grounded and palms wide to the all-is-possible unknown and new.

Yours in fitness

Mirna