WHEN IT COMES TO appreciating sweat equity, there are early adopters— and then there’s Karina Elle. “I remember in sixth grade using exercise to fix my mood when I was sad or mad or whatever,” recalls the budding fitness icon, 27, whose 1.4 million Instagram followers check in daily for workout tips, healthy recipes, humour, motivation, and more. “So from a young age I’ve had a grasp on how to transfer my emotions into energy.”
Growing up Elle had plenty of opportunities to do just that, excelling in everything from cross-country and track to cheerleading. Then a 10-inch growth spurt at 16 changed the game. Recruited as a model, the now statuesque French-Vietnamese beauty experienced that life in Miami, New York, and Singapore but quickly bristled at its unhealthy standards.
After studying communications at the University of Florida, USA and doing some soul-searching, she found her true calling. “I wanted to represent the hybrid girl, because I feel like girls were scared to be into modelling and fitness— and that’s achievable and universal for all women,” she points out. “Every girl can move and make muscles.”
It didn’t hurt that she got into the Insta-game early, with posts dating back to 2011. Still, Elle came into her own as a role model only in the past couple of years, as she began to embrace and evangelise the mood-boosting and life-changing benefits of fitness from the inside out.
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Muscle and Fitness Hers South Africa.
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Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Muscle and Fitness Hers South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
ALWYN UYS
What if your life changed in a split second? We always think that it will never happen to us. But to Alwyn Uys it did. A car accident at the age of 24 left him paralysed from the chest down. Alwyn gives HERS some brutally honest insight into his journey to become a Paralympic Gold Medallist.
HOLDING THE MIDDLE GROUND
The M135i feels like a good movie with a sad ending
THE ULTIMATE PRESCRIPTION FOR A FULFILLING LIFE!
Relocate to Costa del Sol
For the love of HEALTHY LIVING
Izelle Hoffman is SA's newest rising star in the culinary industry and although she never formally trained as a chef, growing up in a household where great food was always a comfort and source of nourishment, it seemed like a natural progression for her to take inspiration from the dishes she grew up with turning them into a modern, playful and healthy experience.
WEIGHTLIFTER'S GUIDE TO VEGETARIAN CLEAN EATING
Think going meatless means you lose all of the lean muscle you’ve sculpted? Guess again: A balanced vegetarian diet allows athletes to get all the protein they need without sacrifi cing results. Here’s how.
HERBAL HYPE OR HELPFUL?
Exploring the Role of Supplements in Vascular Wellness
THE BEGINNER'S ESSENTIAL SUPPLEMENTS GUIDE
Confused about which supplements can help you shed fat, increase performance, and feel healthier? We take a look at a few fundamentals that every fit woman should include in her stockpile.
15-Minute Fat Burners
Give your metabolism a boost on even your busiest days with these high-intensity conditioning plans
20 MINUTE FAT BLASTER
Even on days when you’re pressed for time, this quick plyo routine will have you firing up calories, building muscle, and boosting your metabolism.
Mind Your Fitness
Use these proven motivational techniques to power through your toughest workouts and stick to the strictest of diets—no matter how hectic your schedule gets
