Ballito fitness expert shares journey with Lady Di

She helped shape probably the most photographed royal lady’s arms and legs in history and has recently been voted among the top 50 trainers in the UK.

The Courier caught up with former Ballito fitness expert, Jenni Rivett during a quick visit to the coast last week.

She fondly remembers the day she was summoned to Kensington Palace back in the 90’s, welcomed by the butler and taken into a beautiful drawing room, where she met the beloved Princess Diana.

Lady Di heard about ‘Jenni the South African’ at three different dinner parties and decided it was time to see her.

Rivett remained her personal trainer for seven years, but did much more than toning as she taught her how to rollerblade, went on a skiing trip and lent her a shoulder to cry on.

“She was an incredible woman – caring, compassionate and kind with an amazing sense of humour, yet she always had a sadness to her,” said Rivett, who is one of a select group of people who have been asked to be part of a television programme airing in August in the U.K. to mark the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death.

“The programme is endorsed by Princes William and Harry and I feel privileged to be part of this memorable moment – she trusted me and it was an honour to work with her,” said Rivett, who is the author of Jenergy, co-author of a fitness DVD with Patricia Lewis and has helped many a celebrity get into shape.

Rivett got a taste of the continuous, ruthless hunt by the British media on the Princess of Wales.

She would have to check how many paparazzi were waiting outside for her after their session so that the Princess could plan her exit strategy.

“The media offered me £10 000 back then to get them a photo of Diana. They were always after her.”

Starting over

Rivett left the UK in 2001 and returned to Ballito to enjoy the larger lifestyle and to raise her daughter, Kirsti, here.

Her happy Ballito bubble burst unexpectedly two years ago when Jenni was forced to give up her life here and start over in London.

“I walked the streets of London looking for work. There were times where I would sit on a bench and just cry.”

Determination and passion for women’s fitness kept her going and she worked her way into two of London’s most elite clubs, teaching the finest ladies to be in their prime shape.

She said her ladies at the club love that her workout goes “back to basics” and targets their “mommy bits”.

“Everyone is doing bootcamp and all of this mad stuff.

Injuries are at an all time high which I believe comes from all the social media pressure on how to look and exercise, and the fact that you can get an exercise qualification in six weeks is horrendous!”

Rivett has developed her own special formula designed to offer women a programme to cover the three core basics in fitness – cardio, strength and flexibility.

“Yoga does not burn fat and running cannot tone. I focus on a hit program to burn fat, strength training for toning and a good stretch session at the end. If you do this three times a week and keep busy in between with a run or yoga session, you are on the right track.”

>>  Expect to find the latest trends in Health, Wellness and Beauty in Ballito.

>> Meet the top players in the North Coast property industry. See our Property People feature.

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