Personal trainer Carin believes consistent effort pays off
Stranded at a crossroads after leaving the construction industry led Carin Mthombeni on a fitness journey that helps women achieve their goals.
MOKOPANE – Carin Mthombeni lives by the motto: “Take one step at a time, and you will eventually get there”.
She believes that consistent effort pays off. “If you put in 1% of exercise every day, by the end of the year, you’ve put in 90%. You don’t have to do 100% in one day. Take it easy, one step at a time.”
Carin, a qualified personal trainer and instructor at Body Beast Gym, is passionate about fitness and helping women achieve their personal goals.
Growing up, she attended a technical high school and says she was always a sporty person. Although she pursued studies in civil and building construction, her true love was sport.
After completing her studies and working in construction for a year, her contract ended, leaving her at a crossroads.
Instead of giving up, she decided to chart her own path. Back home in Giyani, she played netball, and soon, her teammates started training with her.
Word spread, and more people joined her backyard training sessions. With the money she earned, she began investing in equipment.
“My mom always knew I had a passion for sport. She encouraged me to study to become a personal trainer,” Carin recalls.
Determined to follow her heart, she researched training institutions and enrolled at Trifocus Academy.
“It was challenging because I was still trying to figure out what I really wanted to do,” she told Bosveld.
In 2021, Carin moved to Mokopane. Struggling to find her footing in construction, she took a receptionist job at Healthzone Gym, where she also began training. It was there that her journey truly changed.
“Magdaleen Visser saw my potential and gave me an incredible opportunity to work for her and train women at her gym.” With Magdaleen’s mentorship and encouragement, Carin completed her studies, built her confidence, and grew into her role.
Carin’s passion lies in empowering women through fitness.
“I love it when women break out of their shells and embrace who they are without losing their individuality,” she says. Fitness also became a personal journey of healing for Carin after leaving an abusive relationship.
“I started running and working out to clear my head. Gaining confidence through fitness helped me realise that other women could do the same. But it’s not just physical – it’s about your mental health too. You have to work on yourself first, and everything else will follow.”
For those looking to shed post-holiday weight, Carin offers simple but powerful advice: “Just start. Don’t wait for tomorrow, next week, or next month, start now. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. When you get back to the gym, don’t fight with your fat. Take it easy, one step at a time, and enjoy the process. That’s how you find balance.”
