Background
What started off as an attempt to reshape her post-mommy body, took off to winning a world championship. Hende-Mari Strydom was a normal active teenager, who allowed an unhealthy student life to catch up with her. After completing degrees in hotel management and education, she began teaching at an all girls’ school. Structured days and responsibilities soon set her back on a healthy lifestyle track. Good food and the occasional visit to the gym, got her into shape. A while after getting married, she enjoyed a healthy pregnancy and family life prompted her to review her career. She quit teaching to pursue an MBA with the idea to join her husband’s family business in the long run.
“Early days…”
A couple of years after her daughter’s birth, Hende-Mari decided to put in one last good effort to put her post-baby body in place. A local gym promised a total body transformation in a very short time. Although she was not looking for anything radical, a fast fix was totally on the cards. But drastic results calls for extreme input, Hende-Mari realised soon after starting the programme. Gone were the days of fast food, sugar and alcohol. For 12 weeks, it was iron, sweat and tears. But she stuck it out… it was only 12 weeks, right?
“Big achievements…”
Due to her slightly pedantic nature, she followed the programme to a T – and the results were astounding! Needless to say, 12 weeks turned into a lifetime. It simply seemed ridiculous to give up feeling good, fit and strong for a slice of cake… Besides the endurance and dedication, Hende-Mari had the talent needed to become a professional athlete. She won her first of five titles in April 2015, and reigned superior in her class when crowned “Winner World Fitness Federation’s Miss Universe” in June 2016.
Whether or not she will continue to compete, only time will tell. But one thing that Hende-Mari will NEVER let go, is the lifestyle she acquired during her time as a professional fitness athlete. She will never allow the exquisite feeling of fitness, health, and strength to be drained from her body by bad habits of an unhealthy lifestyle.
“Beautiful dreams…”
Her fitness journey not only resulted in a sustainable lifestyle and super-slick looks, it was the origin of a passionate dream – to help others achieve their own best state of being. Through her own hands-on experience, she learnt that getting there, requires a total mind shift. You need to change your heart, body and soul. It is an inside out job. It starts with a feeling, then eating the right food while getting fit. And of course you need to look the part to! Hence, the ZooZ brand was born to fulfil the need of numerous fans in search of what Hende-Mari’s got… the ZooZ!
