WHAT A FITNESS FANATIC!
FITNESS instructor, runner and hiker Evonne Mudzingwa (Eve) is a woman on a mission who has spent the last 16 years as an instructor. H-Metro’s TRUST KHOSA (TK) met her at this year’s edition of the Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi’s memorial half marathon where she mobilised 50 runners to come and celebrate the late icon’s legacy. She told us her special story:
TK: How are you managing to juggle being a fitness trainer, biker, hiker and family woman?
Eve: Having been in this industry for 16 years now, I have managed to find a balance. My children are grown up and have flown to their nests so I have all my mornings dedicated to training. I don’t train clients during weekends.
TK: Tell us how you ended up being a fitness trainer.
Eve: Completely by default, I have always loved and enjoyed training, and going to the gym daily but I mainly enjoyed group fitness classes. The gym I used to go to didn’t have consistency in that area so I decided to train as a group fitness instructor to open a group fitness centre to cater for many women like me. Sixteen years later, it’s now my signature, specialising in group fitness only.
TK: How are managing in this field which is male-dominated?
Eve: By being professional, passionate and consistent.
TK: Your plans for the first quarter of 2024 and what have you done so far?
Eve: The first quarter is generally about settling into the year, laying the foundation for the rest of the year. Locking in the contacts and valuing partners.
I also have a couple of major marathons that I have executed perfectly as they also set the standard for the rest of the year. We just nailed the Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi Half Marathon. We have set the bar high and intend to keep that momentum.
TK: What’s your source of inspiration and drives you?
Eve: I’m motivated by the fear of being ordinary. I always strive to challenge myself to do the “impossible”.
TK: Tell us some of the childhood memories that led you into this business.
Eve: Some of my best childhood memories are sports-related. I was an all-rounder in sports and I excelled. I loved sports. My best childhood memory is the smell of freshly cut grass. It meant it was athletics season. I knew then that whatever I wanted to be later in life would be exercise-related.
TK: Which major races have you participated in and how many medals have you amassed?
Eve: I have lost count, to be honest. Too many half marathon and full
marathon medals including Vic Falls 42.2kms to mention here, locally and abroad. Two oceans 56kms in Cape Town, Comrades 90kms in Durban. I’m also a social triathlete with a couple of those medals including an Ironman Finishers medal in Durban and an FNB Triathlon Ultra in Namibia. I have done several Spartan races around the USA, a couple of medals in that too. I am also an avid hiker, summited Mt Kilimanjaro.
TK: Tell us about your love life.
Eve: Let’s just say I love love and love loves me.
I love deeply and completely. I have two gorgeous grown up daughters, 28 and 24 years this year.