It takes a team!

On Wednesday evening we hosted our 26 th Fitness Challenge prize giving ceremony. It was a heart-warming, fun, and relaxed event, and everyone looked young and playful in their “Back-to-school” outfits! During our New Year Challenge that lasted 6 weeks, there were once again so many participants who excelled. To me, it’s always a special occasion to pay tribute to every member who is willing to challenge her personal limits.

…For an icebreaker, we danced to the famous song of Pink Floyd: “Another brick in the wall…” Everyone joined in as we chanted – “We don’t need no education! We don’t need no thought control…!”

As we were clapping, and laughing, and singing, I was overcome with pride, and gratitude, and thought to myself that we have actually proven Floyd wrong – the women in our studio DO value the idea of education, and they ARE always open to new ideas and concepts to improve themselves. They DO practise thought control with self-discipline and a “mind over matter” mentality. And last but not least, the whole idea of hosting a prize-giving ceremony is to convey the message once again, that no one in our studio is ever merely a brick in the wall…

I don’t get the opportunity every day to tell each member: I see you. And therefore, a simple certificate, and a coaster or a fridge magnet, is just to remind everyone: I see you. I see you beneath the surface. I see your unshed tears, and your dreams, and your devotion. I see how you are doing all you can, and how hard you are working to grow.

I see you. You are not alone. You are not invisible.
You are seen. You are seen…

…On Wednesday evening I started my welcoming speech with the following words: When 64-year-old Diana Nyad stepped onto the beach after swimming for 53 gruelling hours from Cuba to Florida, the first thing she said was: “It takes a team.” She realized that what she had accomplished, would never have been possible on her own. She accepted the fact that no matter how much confidence she had in her own abilities, the feat wouldn’t have been possible if her entire team hadn’t been by her side. She said that though it looked like a solitary sport, it took a team to do what she had been able to do.

To host a successful Fitness Challenge – IT ALSO TAKES A TEAM:

A team of dedicated, enthusiastic members who show up. A team of inspirational, energetic instructors
who lead by example. And it takes a team of amazing people in a small community who are willing to help, sponsor prizes, smile, cheer, support, and take photos. Yes, although everyone was focused on reaching their personal goals, it was indeed a huge team effort. It takes a team: Thank you, to every member for going all out, for showing up, and for being so invested in giving your all. Always. Thank you to Jacqueline and Michelle, for your support and passion, every step of the way. Thank you to Odette from Party Fusion, for whom nothing is ever too much trouble, for Amanda from Manna and Kwartels, for your stunning décor, for creating the most beautiful gifts for our Challenge members with such care and patience, and for always giving so much more of yourself than is expected. Thank you, Adele, for the
stunning pictures (watch this space), your sense of humour, and friendship. To Nicci, for the beautiful, meticulous certificates, and to Mari, for designing everything so beautifully! Always! Thank you, to every sponsor – Mirna’s Aerobic Studio, Schalk from Pro Bag, Susan from Zoe’s Laser Cutting, Ashleigh Photography, Adele, Almarie from Shekinah Creations, and Nails by Benice.

Here is a recap of the special awards:

Our top 10 participants: Almarie van Aswegen (1 st ), Corné Kemp (2 nd ), Lizelle Botha (3 rd ):

…and in no specific order, the rest of our top 10 – Abeda Vally, Zenta Wentzel, Cindy Zwane, Victoria Manoel, Izelde Zwarts, Riana Jacob and Benice de Wet. 

Weight-loss awards:  Susan Ndlamlenze (-7,6kg), Natalie Harris (-4kg), Rina Clifford (-3,4kg).  Biggest drop in fat percentage:  Cindy Zwane (-2%) and Almarie van Aswegen (-1,9%).  Best improvement in muscle tone: Elsabé Tesner.

Members who managed to earn every single extra point:  Abeda Vally, Corné Kemp and Riana Jacob.

Special recognition: 

Rita Kemp (At 81 years old conquering the Challenge and maintaining her personal best body stats),  Rina Clifford (Strongest finish), Stacey du Toit (most Challenges done and 17.15 Challenge member), Lady B Maseko (7.30 Challenge member), Lisa Badenhorst (Challenge newcomer and 5.10 Challenge member), Susan Ndlamlenze, Merisha Naidoo, Lizelle Botha, Corné Kemp, Izelde Zwarts and Nikiwe Ngcobo – more than 50 sessions completed, Lungile Gama (Go Big or Go Home award), Stephnie Potgieter – Zoom member award.  Elite athletes:  Quinita Stoltz, Michelle Jansen van Rensburg, Izelde Zwarts, Stella Kalp, and Jacqueline Sturgiss.

Social media lucky draw winner of R500:  Corné Kemp, and the two winners of the lucky draw goodie bags for completing 4 sessions per week 6 weeks in a row – Cindy Zwane and Zenta Wentzel.

Best dressed winners were: 

Talita Stapelberg, Benice de Wet, Victoria Manoel, Izelde Zwarts, and Carien Naudé:

…Diana Nyad always said that we have one life, and whatever one needs to do must be done now.  She always said that she hated mediocrity and that her sensibilities did not align with most people. 

Diana Nyad challenged her limits at age 64.  Lizelle Botha has reached her personal best stats at age 69.  It’s never too late.  But, crowning our three winners, to me, is not always the highlight of our events.  It’s to celebrate everyone who is willing to say “Yes!”.  Some have done it for the first time, others, have completed 25 and 26 Challenges.  Thank you, for believing in what we do, and for saying “no” to mediocrity, over and over again!  Thank you for embracing the challenges, for pushing the limits, and for striving for greatness!

I heard someone say once that mediocrity is simply a choice, and that we have the power to choose greatness.  And isn’t that empowering!  To know that every action we take, and every decision we make, is an opportunity to transcend the ordinary, and embrace the extraordinary…

Greatness is not reserved for the few; it is within reach of anyone willing to put in the effort and dedication to rise above mediocrity.  Diana Nyad once said:

“But for each of us, isn’t life about determining your own finish line?”

So, I guess, my question is – what’s yours?

Yours in fitness

Mirna
082 779 0507