Inside The Lives Of Female Bodybuilders

This summer, local bodybuilding ladies are bringing the case for strong.

- Sarah Browning-de Villiers

‘My journey started in 2015,’ says Firdous Asmodien, 40. She has an infectious smile, flowing brunette hair and the sculpted arms of a classical Greek statue. ‘I have endometriosis, which makes it very difficult for me to conceive. My husband and I tried fertility treatments – we spent more than R100 000 – but I didn’t fall pregnant. I fell into depression; I ate too much and stayed indoors. Within months, my weight spiralled out of control.

‘It was only when someone posted a pic of me on social media that I realised how much I’d let myself go. I didn’t recognise myself. The next day, I bought a fitness magazine. I wanted the body of the cover girl: she was smiling, healthy, muscular and strong.

‘At home, as I paged through the mag, my eyes fell on a 12-week body-makeover challenge. With the hashtag #Challenge Yourself screaming at me, I entered, and lost 13,3% of my body fat in 12 weeks. Excited by the results, I kept going: I got a personal trainer who convinced me to enter a bodybuilding competition. I haven’t looked back since.’

A growing fitness trend

Looking at Asmodien now, it’s difficult to imagine her ever being overweight. She’s the picture of happiness and health – although, instead of being Victoria’s Secret-skinny, she’s curvy, with amazing boobs. And ripped. Like, eight-pack, could-eff-you-up-in-a-fight kinda ripped.