There are exactly three occasions in a year where I feel justified to focus my entire blog on one thing only – our Challenge prize giving ceremony. Not because I want to show off… but because I refuse to let these moments (and these members!) go unnoticed. They deserve their own spotlight!
Conquering a Winter Challenge at our studio is no small feat – our Challenge members set personal goals, they have to complete six Mini-Challenges, there are tasks that demand mental awareness, and they are required to aim for at least four workouts weekly, for 13 consecutive weeks. This winter many ran the whole way, some power-walked, and some crawled over the finish line (possibly with me pushing from behind 😅). But every single one of them showed up – and that is what makes me proud beyond words.
…There is something truly magical about our Challenge events. It’s not just the medals, the certificates, and Adele’s lovely photos – it’s that moment where every effort, every early morning, and every sweaty workout turns into pride.
Our Carnival-themed evening was a splendid event! From the moment our members stepped through the door, it felt as if our studio had been magically transported to a bustling Carnival alley. There were lion tamers, a mime, clowns with oversized bowties and painted smiles, and we had a few “vendors” walking around “selling popcorn”. One even carried a Wheel of fortune! A few Rio girls arrived in full feathered glory, hips already dancing to music that wasn’t even playing yet, while a mysterious fortune teller floated past with crystal ball in hand. Bright colours, striped jackets, silly hats and glittery masks were everywhere – some members went full Cirque du Soleil, others looked like they just stepped out of a vintage fairground poster. It was pure joyful chaos – the kind that makes you grin without even realising it…
…You see, carnivals are all about colour, music, laughter, and surprise, and during our Winter Challenge I witnessed all of that…but most of all, I saw character. That’s why I call it a Carnival of Character, and every single member was the main attraction!
But first things first! After spending 13 weeks figuratively inside the box – which was our Winter Challenge theme – there was only one way to end it… by literally jumping out of a box! (Amanda, Jaco, and Schalk helped bringing my plan to action, and yes, I had another fall because I forgot to step onto the trolley without my high heels (but that’s completely beside the point 😉).
To me our event is never about only crowning our top three contestants – it’s about celebrating commitment, courage and consistency, and paying tribute to everyone at the event by means of our Member Montage video compilation…To every member of our studio who was part of our 13-week Winter journey – thank you! You showed up, pushed your boundaries and made this winter of 2025 one worth remembering!
Here are all the special awards of the evening: Our top ten Challenge members are: Martie Badenhorst (1st), Leonie Prinsloo (2nd), Elize van den Heever (3rd), Susan Bothma (4th), Hanné Swart, Mila Ferreira, Stacey du Toit, Lady B Maseko, Izelde Zwarts, and Gosia Snyman. Martie and Leonie both reached Elite Athlete status for the first time!
Biggest drop in Visceral fat: Susan Bothma, biggest drop in fat percentage: Susan Ndlamlenze and Susan Bothma, biggest drop in body fat in kg: Susan Bothma, Xoli Soyeye, and Elize van den Heever. Weight-loss awards: Maryka Blom and Lady B Maseko. Muscle tone award: Martie Badenhorst.
Best improvement between Challenges: Susan Bothma and Mila Ferreira.
Mini-Challenge queen 2025: Izelde Zwarts.
Most studio sessions done: Martie Badenhorst (144), and Susan Ndlamlenze (132). Other members who completed more than 100 workouts: Hanné Swart, Izelde Zwarts. Lady B Maseko, Mila Ferreira, Nikiwe Ngcobo, Susan Bothma, and Elize van den Heever.
All possible points earned: Elize van den Heever, Lady B Maseko, Leonie Prinsloo, Martie Badenhorst, Rethia Naudé, and Stacey du Toit.
Best dressed winners: Susan Bothma, Izelde Zwarts, Benice de Wet, Gosia Snyman, and Victoria Manoel.
Social media lucky draw winner: Lady B Maseko, Lucky draw winner of week 10 to 13: Lizelle Botha, and Lucky draw winner of 13 weeks/13 weeks: Lungile Gama.
Special recognition: Rita Kemp and Lizelle Botha, Challenge newcomer: Xoli Soyeye. Winner of Kwench video competition: Gerda van Zyl, Strongest finish: Mari Kruger. Survivor award: Delia Maaka. Most Challenges done: Stacey du Toit (all 30 of them). Zoom member award: Hanné Swart.
We are always especially proud of members who manage to reach their personal best body stats.
This year they were: Martie Badenhorst, Leonie Prinsloo, Elize van den Heever, Susan Bothma, Mila Ferreira, Hanné Swart, Susan Ndlamlenze, and Rita Kemp.
Members who earned all or most of the Social Media points: Amanda, Benice, Elize, Gosia, Hannelie, Izelde, Lady B, Leonie, Lizelle, Martie, Rethia, Stacey, Susan B, Victoria, and Zenta.
An interesting fact is, that this winter, nine more members managed to complete four or more workouts for 13 weeks non-stop, than last year: Benice, Berdine, Elize, Gosia, Hanné, Izelde, Jolindi, Lady B, Leonie, Lungile, Martie, Mbali, Mila, Rethia, Rita, Stacey, Susan B, Victoria, and Xoli.
A special word of thank you to:
Susan from Flowerbox and Amanda from Manna en Kwartels for the amazing décor, Jaco and Piet, Hanri from Styled with Décor, Nicci from Niche Printing, Mari from Inkbox, Adele for the stunning photos, and Anton, for managing the sound perfectly. Thank you to my amazing team – Jacqueline, Michelle and Janke, for your unwavering support and hard work.
And to our sponsors – from the bottom of my heart thank you, thank you, thank you – Zander and Mariné from Kwench, Schalk from ProBag, Susan from Flowerbox, Riaan and Michelle from Wenkem, Susan from Zoe’s laser cutting, Nails by Benice, Bernadene from Wink, Carol from Kalea indoor plants, Wilma for the embroidery gifts, Denise from Augusta Embroidery, Yvonne from Yew designs, and Rethia from Herbalife.
My biggest dream, with every prize giving ceremony is to ensure that every member knows, that this winter she was the champion of her own story, regardless of the outcome of her final InBody assessment, because, like I said on Thursday –
“This year, more than ever, I found it cruel that 13 weeks of tremendous hard work had to come down to one minute on the scale…
And I know, we have to use those stats, but the fancy InBody machine doesn’t measure smiles, determination, self-discipline on tough days, or heart. That machine cannot read your mind or your thoughts, or measure the depth of your soul. It doesn’t know anything about your personal struggles, or the days you’re feeling down.”
That’s why we host a ceremony…to salute our members, and honour the quiet courage that carried them to the finish line.
Whether you took home a prize, or simply pushed yourself further than you thought possible, you are all champions in my eyes. I am so proud of each of you – even if you didn’t quite get there. Your courage, consistency, and determination are what truly make these challenges a success.
Thank you for being a member of our studio, for showing up, for signing up, and for trusting me, although I am little high maintenance sometimes. All I want is for you to walk out with your head held high – every time you set foot in our studio. That’s why we host Challenges, and that’s why we open our doors every day, and that’s why I became a fitness instructor…
And, at the end of the day, it’s not about the costumes, or counting the classes, or even the falls – it’s about seeing you step out of your box, stronger, braver, taller, a little prouder, and a lot more unstoppable than ever before.
And every effort, every smile, and every stumble, reminds me why I do what I do.
Yours in fitness
Mirna
082 779 0507
PS: Our Early Bird offer for our 8-week Summer Challenge expires on Friday 22 August!