I believe in the saying “when you look good, you feel good!” Miss Andrews knows just how to make women feel good and well…. make men look weak of cause! I was so privileged to do an interview with Yunata Andrews – a fitness instructor, Preggi bellie trainer, a Judge for aerobics, hip-hop and fitness competitions. Her list of titles is endless – not forgetting a body to die for!!!
“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe; it can be achieved”
MEET YUNATA ANDREWS
A: Why does that quote resonate with you?
Y: In short I believe you only have one life and you need to make the best out of it, so if you want to look good, believe that you can look good and indeed you shall achieve that dream body.
A: Who is your inspiration or role model?
Y: It has to be my late dad, he was a boxer himself, he was always a hard worker and he believed that hard work has never killed anyone. Once again he told me once that; “whatever you want to become it is up to you to make it possible for you.”
A: What motivated you to choose a career path in fitness?
Y: (Giggles) I was always interested in how the body works and how far you can push the body and I just felt I wanted to be different. I didn’t want to be your “average girl.” I wanted to do something different where I know I can make a difference in someone else’s life, and make them feel good about themselves.
A: How did you get to the point of saying; this is me I am going to be a fitness instructor? Did it take a while?
Y: No it actually didn’t take a while, I have been collecting fitness magazines since 1985, and I still have them (Laughs). I always saw these women talking about what it means to be a trainer and how exciting it is. Eventually, I asked myself will I ever get there and I told myself the only way I will get there is if I try, so at first it started off as a hobby and eventually evolved more into a career.
A: Oh wow, so was this the kind of career that you always wanted to pursue?
Y: Funny enough no, my first choice was always to be a psychologist, and secondly a lawyer. But, that all changed because my dad said I am not sending you to University to become a lawyer or a psychologist, because you just going to waste my money, you more the physical type of person. I will never forget New Year’s Eve the one year, while everyone was celebrating I was crying, because I couldn’t go to University (laughs).
A: (Laughs) and look where you are now!
Y: I don’t look back, I don’t regret anything!
A: What would you say is the ingredient to a healthy body?
Y: Adequate sleep, healthy diet/eating (no crash diets) are important, as well as being active. However, your mood and mind plays a big part in a complete healthy you. Most importantly get inspired, love your body and get active.
A: Wow is that the secret (laughs) me looking at you now and looking at myself clearly I have some work to do (laughs). That six pack…wow
Y: (Laughs) you will get there just keep on working at it!
A: I will definitely try my best! How far do you push yourself?
Y: I push myself to the limit, I push and I push and I push! Because, in order for me to push my clients, I must be able to push myself, and know that I am helping them get to their ideal frame. So, I really push myself!
A: That’s amazing, so what’s a day in the life of Yunata Andrews like?
Y: Sleep, eat, work train train train train, wake up training, morning training, afternoon training, some office work in between, but training all day and I love it! I know I am helping people to achieve their desired body shape and I am helping them look good and feel good. So, I really don’t mind training all day; if it means making people, especially women feel good about themselves than I am happy! As I believe every women is beautiful, our minds are just infested with all the parts of our bodies we don’t like and yet we don’t realise how beautiful we really are.
A: That’s so true! You look really good though, I should try training all day (laughs).
Y: (Laughs)
A: I look at you and you TONED from head to toe, do you ever indulge in sinful food?
Y: I do hey!
A: Than you must be one of the lucky ones.
Y: Yeah right (blushing). Honestly, I am not one of those people who will put myself on strict diets etc… If I want to eat something I will, but in moderation, but I don’t think you can eat Chicken Licken in moderation LOL!
A: LOL. What other projects are you currently working on?
Y: I am currently working on new projects that I can’t tell you about yet. All I can say is watch this space!
A: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Y: Running a successful training school with a difference for under privileged kids, to represent SA as an international sports aerobics judge and to grow fitness within the community and surrounding areas.
A: Amazing! What does it take for someone else to become a fitness instructor?
Y: To have a passion for people, for training, working long hours and just to love what you do!
A: Do you now believe that any coloured person can achieve their dreams?
Y: Yes I really do, because anything is possible, don’t limit yourself and say you can’t, because at the end of the day you the only one standing in the way of you accomplishing your own dreams. Go for what you want, be who you want to be and most importantly never let anyone limit your dreams. Remember you were born to be original, don’t die a copy.
INTERVIEW BY: ALEXANDRIA ALLAN (A)
ALL ANSWERS BY: YUNATA ANDREWS (Y)
ALL PICTURES TAKEN EXCLUSIVELY FOR THROUGH COLOURED LENSES
E-MAIL: yunata.andrews@gmail.com
Facebook & Linkedin: Under construction
“Fitness is a lifestyle of health and a lifestyle of loving yourself. Remember that sometimes, some days you can’t do it all perfectly and that’s OK. We are not made to be perfect; we are made to be just better every day” Yunata Andrews
Through coloured lenses 