Like many people, Kwanele Nxumalo’s first foray into fitness began “out of a desire to feel more comfortable in my own skin,” she says. However, like so many of us, her motivation wasn’t to seek better health but to fit into a certain standard of beauty (sound familiar?). However, from workouts, a new motivation formed. “What started casually evolved into a passion for holistic wellness, movement, and balance,” Kwanele says.
How Kwanele Nxumalo Honed Mental Grit
Through the shift from wanting to be perceived to working on how she perceived herself, Kwanele challenged herself to detach from “external validation and shifting away from purely aesthetic goals”. How? “By focusing on performance, strength, and mental clarity,” she says. Her exploration opened up new facets of interest. “It [her fitness journey] quickly became something deeper: a lifestyle rooted in self-respect and growth.” Through applying persistence, education and consistency, Kwanele learned valuable life lessons. One, that “discipline outlasts motivation, and the way you speak to yourself is far more powerful than any number on a scale,” she reflects.
READ MORE: “How I Lost Weight As A Working Mom”
How Kwanele Inspires Her Community
On social media, Kwanele’s content is all about the same principles she lives by. “I’ve been in the gym for seven years, consistent for the last three, and I’m still learning every day,” she says. Now, Kwanele trains for longevity and eats to age well. Even at the young age of 26, she’s focused – and inspired by – the Kwanele at age 80. “Every choice I make today shapes who I become tomorrow,” she maintains. “I want to be someone with energy, clarity, and purpose.”
Kwanele Nxumalo’s wellness pillars don’t involve PBs or superfood shakes; rather, they involve consistency, recovery, and listening. “Your body is always speaking; listen to what it’s saying,” Kwanele explains. “Mental health is a big part of this journey; I find peace in movement,” she reflects. On a bad day, that movement might include heavy weightlifting with “killer music”, she says. “Lifting reminds me of my strength and ability to overcome. It channels my emotions into something productive and leaves me feeling grounded and powerful”.
READ MORE: 10 Super-Cool And Inspirational Fit Moms You Need To Follow On Instagram
Off-The-Cuff With Kwanele Nxumalo
What’s one piece of fitness equipment you couldn’t live without – even if it’s something small or unconventional?
“The Smith machine. It’s incredibly versatile – perfect for targeting lower body (quads, glutes, hamstrings) and upper body (shoulders, back, chest). It’s my go-to on any day.”
Name one fitness trend you wouldn’t be caught dead doing again.
“Waist trainers during workouts. I tried it once – never again. Why it’s a hard no:
- Restricts breathing during lifts and cardio
- Creates a false sense of core engagement (you’re not building abs, you’re just squeezing your organs)
- Made me feel lightheaded and uncomfortable
- Offers zero long-term benefit, just temporary compression
- Worst of all? It messes with your natural movement patterns
Fitness shouldn’t come with a corset. If your core needs work, train it, don’t strap it in.”
What favourite food of yours would you turn into a ‘superfood’ with zero calories?
“Amasi and Phutu pap (Inkomasi). Quick, comforting, and super filling. And honestly, nothing beats the nap that follows!”
READ MORE: 15 Easy Ways To Sit Less And Move More – Even If You Have A Desk Job
Get To Know Kwanele
Remember… It’s never too late to start living well. Find the September/October (The Mind & Balance Issue) 2025 issue of Women’s Health on shelves now, or buy yourself a digital copy. Happy reading!
