{"id":2872,"date":"2017-07-28T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-07-28T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za\/karien-van-der-walt-teamtrifocus\/"},"modified":"2022-10-19T16:31:30","modified_gmt":"2022-10-19T14:31:30","slug":"karien-van-der-walt-teamtrifocus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trifocusfitnessacademy.co.za\/personal-fitness-training-blog\/karien-van-der-walt-teamtrifocus\/","title":{"rendered":"Karien van der Wal: #TeamTrifocus Brand Ambassador"},"content":{"rendered":"

Karien van der Wal, professional bootcamp instructor and #TeamTrifocus brand ambassador, is 39 years old. She’s 1.7 m tall and weighs 61kg. We caught up with her in a gap in her busy schedule.<\/p>\n

Tell us more about your background in the fitness industry<\/h2>\n

My fitness journey started about\u00a0five years ago. I got to a point where I couldn\u2019t fit into my clothes and was very uncomfortable in my own skin. I was self-conscious and didn\u2019t like the way I looked.<\/p>\n

As a mom, your life revolves around your kids and taking care of your family. But I wanted to do something for myself for a change. I didn\u2019t only want to lose weight –\u00a0I wanted to feel good about myself. I wanted self-respect and confidence.<\/p>\n

So I started eating cleanly. I made big adjustments in our family eating habits . My husband motivated me to start jogging. However\u00a0I never enjoyed it – and I still don\u2019t! I joined the gym and started with group exercise classes\u00a0three times a week using light weights. I\u00a0also went to spinning classes\u00a0three times a week. In the end, I\u00a0lost around 10kg.<\/p>\n

My first step into professional fitness<\/h2>\n

I entered my first bikini competition as a beach-bikini girl. I placed fifth on that day however\u00a0I was still not happy with how my body looked. Although I had lost all the fat, my body was still flabby and weak.<\/p>\n

After that competition, I went home and started researching\u00a0weight training. I wanted to look like the bikini-fitness girls.\u00a0There was no\u00a0personal trainer,\u00a0dietitian or any other fitness professional to help me because\u00a0I just couldn\u2019t afford it. The Internet was my teacher as were\u00a0other people in the fitness industry and friends I made in gym. I truly believe that if you want something bad enough, you’ll find solutions.<\/p>\n

How I became a bootcamp instructor<\/h2>\n

My husband and\u00a0I were going through some financial difficulties. This meant that I needed to find a job. I loved the changes I saw in my body. The alterations\u00a0in\u00a0my physical appearance\u00a0motivated women I knew to do the same. People would come up to me asking for help and advice, just like I did when I needed help. That’s how my bootcamp group and one-on-one classes got started. I love what I do and\u00a0have a burning passion for it. I love helping others and seeing how something that happens on the outside changes people on the inside and makes them bloom.<\/p>\n

I’m studying towards my Personal Training Diploma <\/a>through Trifocus Fitness Academy. Finally getting myself qualified is\u00a0a dream that has finally come true. But no diploma,\u00a0certificate or any other fitness qualification could\u2019ve taught me what me what five\u00a0years of practical experience did. Not only did I compete in, and win, numerous bikini competitions I also had the privilege of helping other women in their transformation journey as well as being part of their make-overs. I believe that your passion and dreams are only worth it if you can share it with others and help them\u00a0benefit from your success.<\/p>\n

Tell us more about why you love competing and living the fitness lifestyle<\/h2>\n

Being fit and healthy\u00a0keeps my motivated. It shapes my goals and gives me\u00a0a reason to push myself. I’m a firm believer in practising what you preach. This means that when my clients see me competing and pushing myself, they also become inspired to work at their own fitness goals.<\/p>\n

How has #TeamTrifocus advanced your\u00a0passion for fitness?<\/h2>\n

To be qualified as a fitness professional\u00a0gives me more credibility and confidance when I work with clients. I’m busy with my studies, at Trifocus Fitness Academy,\u00a0to become\u00a0a personal trainer.\u00a0I have definitely learned a lot. This is not only to the advantage of my clients but my own training\u00a0as well.<\/p>\n

Which #TeamTrifocus fitness courses\u00a0are you doing?<\/h2>\n

I’m currently enrolled for the following courses at Trifocus Fitness Academ:<\/p>\n