What Is Strength For?
Men's Health South Africa|March 2020
This year marks the 23rd year of Men’s Health making better men. In this time, we’ve become known for building strong bodies, shredding abs and burning fat fast. And while we’ve spent more than two decades helping you, our readers, craft cover-worthy bodies and superhero strength, we know that not all strength is designed totally up likes on Instagram. Strength goes beyond the aesthetic goals and testosterone-fuelled drive to lift heavy things. The guys on these pages embody the kind of strength forged not with iron, but with an iron mindset. It’s strength that inspires, strength that persists under pressure. These are their stories.
Kelleigh Korevaar
What Is Strength For?

STRENGTH IS FOR

SHOWING WHAT YOU’RE MADE OF

LEONARD BAILEY, Athlete, age 30, 164cm, 103kg

THE WALLS OF LEONARD ‘Lenny’ Bailey’s family home are lined with gold, silver and bronze medals. There are 80 in total. Along with the medals are newspaper clippings and certificates showcasing his athletic achievements.

Lenny first started athletics in Grade 1. Born with Down Syndrome, he attended the special needs school, Dorothea Primary. Although Lenny tried track first, it was clear that he was best suited for field events such as shot put, discus and javelin. Once he made the switch, he was a dominant force – even in Primary School. In 2003 he became the Boland, Western Cape and SA champion for his events in his age category. A feat he managed to repeat every year until 2010. “I really love athletics,” he says. “I always try to do my best and practice hard for all the events.”

With each passing year, Lenny’s best become even better. In 2010 he attended his first World Down Syndrome Championship in Mexico where he won a gold medal in Shot Put and a silver in discus and javelin. In 2012 at the championships in Portugal he broke the world record for shot put. In 2015, he broke his own World Record for javelin and shot put, while snagging silver in the discus. Records he once again broke in 2016, but this time he also broke the World Record for discus. Since then he’s been an unstoppable force, racking up medals at every event. “I’m beginning to run out of space in my living room,” jokes his mother, Angeline.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MEN'S HEALTH SOUTH AFRICAView all
The Last 7  Recipe You'll Ever Need
Men's Health South Africa

The Last 7 Recipe You'll Ever Need

FADS COME AND GO. BUT GOOD EATING AND PROPER NUTRITION CHANGES VERY LITTLE. SO WE COMBED THROUGH ALL THE RECIPES IN MEN'S HEALTH'S 36-YEAR HISTORY TO FIND THE ONES THAT TRULY DELIVER ON BOTH FLAVOUR AND FUNCTION.

time-read
1 min  |
September - October 2024
The Changing Face Of Cancer
Men's Health South Africa

The Changing Face Of Cancer

While cancer rates are falling in older adults, they're increasing among younger age groups. It's a trend exposing holes in both diagnosis and care. It's also raised a new question for experts: how do you get vital and potentially life-saving information to people unaware they need it?

time-read
10+ mins  |
September - October 2024
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 ADVENTURES
Men's Health South Africa

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 ADVENTURES

YOUR TIME OFF IS VALUABLE. TO BOOK YET ANOTHER FLY 'N' FLOP IS TO DO YOURSELF A DISSERVICE. THIS YEAR, BREAK FREE FROM THE POOLSIDE BAR AND GET YOUR KICKS IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS. FROM EXPEDITIONS IN FAR-FLUNG PLACES TO HIGH-OCTANE WEEKENDS CLOSER TO HOME, CONSIDER THESE YOUR FIRST STEPS OFF THE BEATEN TRACK.

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2024
4 WAYS TO REBOOT YOUR MINDSET
Men's Health South Africa

4 WAYS TO REBOOT YOUR MINDSET

STRESSED ABOUT THE STATE OF THE WORLD AND/OR YOUR SANITY? WE'VE GOT FOUR SIMPLE BUT ESSENTIAL TOOLS TO HELP YOU ADAPT AND OVERCOME, THIS YEAR AND BEYOND.

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2024
TRAIN TO YOUR MAX
Men's Health South Africa

TRAIN TO YOUR MAX

Cardiorespiratory fitness is one of the most important health markers when it comes to your overall wellbeing. Here's how Discovery Vitality Fitness gives you more ways than ever to fire up your engine.

time-read
4 mins  |
September - October 2024
SLUSH FUN
Men's Health South Africa

SLUSH FUN

FROZEN DAIQUIRIS ARE REFRESHI AND ALSO SICKENINGLY SWEET. TRY A FROZEN PIMM'S CUP, WHICH HAS ALL THE FLAVOURS WITH WAY LESS SUGAR.

time-read
1 min  |
September - October 2024
THE HEALTH SNOB'S GUIDE TO COLD-BREW COFFEE
Men's Health South Africa

THE HEALTH SNOB'S GUIDE TO COLD-BREW COFFEE

BOTTLED COFFEE MIGHT BE ABUNDANT, BUT CAFFEINE AFICIONADOS MAKE THEIR OWN. FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO PREP A HEALTHY BREW FOR A REFRESHING PERK-ME-UP.

time-read
2 mins  |
September - October 2024
SUPP CHECK RECOVERY PACKAGE
Men's Health South Africa

SUPP CHECK RECOVERY PACKAGE

COLLAGEN IS TOUTED AS THE GO-TO SUPP FOR BONE, SKIN AND JOINT HEALTH, PLUS FAST INJURY REPAIR. BUT DOES IT DELIVER? TIME TO GEN UP.

time-read
1 min  |
September - October 2024
THE SEMI-COMPLETE USER'S GUIDE TO...THE SINUSES
Men's Health South Africa

THE SEMI-COMPLETE USER'S GUIDE TO...THE SINUSES

FOR AS LONG AS sinuses have been around, aka forever, there has been a ton that scientists haven't figured out about them.

time-read
3 mins  |
September - October 2024
BULLISH
Men's Health South Africa

BULLISH

The Blue Bulls scrumhalf Embrose Papier is striving for greatness. Here's how he's putting in the right reps to make sure mind and muscle are firing in unison.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September - October 2024