Running… What began as a coping mechanism during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 soon became a calling for WH Cover Search Winner Tammi Ragebult, then a flight attendant who’d returned to South Africa with nothing much to do. Fast forward to 2025 and she completed her first Comrades Marathon in June 2025. How’s that for never being too old or too late to start new wellness habits? However, Tammi’s love affair with fitness started in hotel gyms during her stint as a flight attendant. “Hotel gyms kept me sane in between the long flights and quiet nights away from everything familiar,” she explains.
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During her early days as a runner, Tammi’s biggest challenge was the snide remarks she’d often get from people “People always said I look ‘funny’ when I run because of my knock knees a.k.a ikiss-kiss. I’ve been underestimated and overlooked more times than I can count.” Her solution was simple. “I started training alone minus the commentary and the pressure. Just me, failing forward.” When she was still flying, Tammi would even work out in my hotel room instead of going downstairs to the gym.
“I learned that people will always talk – whether my form is perfect or not. That knowledge made me confident to join a club. The real question was: was I going to let the noise stop me or would I keep doing what makes me happy?”
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A firm believer in the 05h00 club, when life takes its toll on her, Tammi leans on her discipline. “I believe in exercising early so it doesn’t get pushed aside. Then on my lazy days, my lunch break becomes my backup plan.” Tammi’s approach to sustainable health boils down to three core principles – eating for her body, not her feelings; consistency over intensity and lastly, always remembering that discipline is freedom. And through it all, her confidence is rooted in faith. “My identity is in Christ. My faith is my foundation. It’s what gives me strength and courage. I talk to God before everything else.”
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Trivia
Your go-to workout when you’re upset…
A run can fix any little upset.
Favourite food that you would turn into a ‘superfood’ with zero calories…
Oven-baked pizza – every single time!
Fitness equipment you could never live without…
My foam roller. It even made the Comrades Marathon trip with me!
Exercise that you neglect but know you should do more of…
Yoga. I always say I’ll start but never do.
Your ultimate ‘I deserve this’ cheat meal…
Evening sweets in bed. Zero regrets!
Get To Know Tammi
Check out the Sept/Oct 2025 issue of Women’s Health SA for the inspiring stories of the other WH Cover Search finalists. On sale NOW!
