I had been in the health and fitness industry on a very part time basis for the past 10 years, always very wary of leaving the corporate world to take on personal training as a full time career. After being diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome in my wrist in 2009, followed by a nerve block to my cervicular spine April 2010 and months of taking toxic medication to treat neuropathic pain, the pain specialist advised that if I had any hope of overcoming my condition and leading a quality life, I needed to leave the stressful job that I was in and embark on something else that I was passionate about. This was the push that I needed. I resigned from my job in August 2010 and I have never looked back.

ABC gives me the flexibility and independence that I need – it’s my own little business yet at the same time I have the phenomenal support and guidance of a truly wonderful team at head office as well as the support of fellow franchisees.  Huenu, the director of ABC, has created something magical, a concept that really works due to an incredibly strong and well-established brand, inspirational leadership and a dynamic and well organized marketing and admin team. As a franchisee, this means you are already half way there and so if you are prepared to work hard and put in the time and effort into making your classes fun and creative and focus on local marketing, you are guaranteed to make a success of your business.

I have met the most amazing people along the way. It is so rewarding to see positive changes in people both physically and emotionally. For me, ABC is not just a job, it is about building relationships and friendships and what better way to do this in an outdoor environment, catching sunshine and getting to have a laugh with such a special bunch of women every day?

Being in the corporate industry for so long, working for several different companies over a number of years, I was asking myself the question of what meaning and purpose was in my life. Every time the answer was the same.  Does working for a big company, earning a salary, doing the same thing over and over everyday really make me happy and fulfilled as a person? No, it never did. I made a decision to change this around and I started my journey of changing my life by learning new skills. It was a long process with lots of sacrifices and commitments but nevertheless I pushed through and qualified myself as a Therapeutic Reflexologist as well as a fitness trainer.  It was when I started my training as a Preggi Bellies instructor that I first heard about Adventure Boot Camp for Women.  I decided to attend a camp to see what it was like and I loved it!

I decided to take a chance and applied for a franchise despite being very nervous of the idea of being a business owner. I kept on telling myself that I was mad to do this but I sent the application and was surprised by the enthusiastic response I received back. Soon after, I had an interview with Huenu in Johannesburg where I was working at the time and I was so excited afterwards as it all sounded like just the thing I was looking for. Huenu’s whole approach to the business also made me want to be part of this wonderful concept.  I am passionate about health and fitness and especially with regards to women so I was really happy that I took the first step.  I set my fears aside, took the chance and I am so proud to be part of this wonderful business. It helped me to grow as a person so I got as much out of being a franchisee and trainer as my wonderful ladies do attending camp.

Looking back, it was definitely not without challenges but we need those to pull us out of our comfort zones in order to grow. I definitely do not look back and do not regret my complete change in career, even though I had a lot of negative talk from people.  I love what I do and I now have the time to do what I enjoy doing. I have the flexibility to do many different things during the day between classes. My life is much more meaningful and I am happy and proud to be part of a group of people that are truly devoted to make a difference in thousands of women’s lives. ABC is like an exercise support group for women with fun activities as a bonus! It is wonderful to see friendships grow and women supporting and encouraging each other.

For me, this is the best business to be in and I would do it all over again! It is financially and emotionally rewarding and so worth the effort!

Adventure Boot Camp het my lewe verander! Ek was ‘n werkende beroepsvrou en wou die hoogste hoogtes bereik. Ek het gedink dit sal my gelukkig maak, maar ek het gesukkel om by my familie se goed uit tekom en om vir hul als nodig te gee! My seuntjie is outisties met baie swak sig en ek moes iemand huur wat na my kinders kan kyk deur die dag; help met huiswerk en ook kan rondry na hul aktiwiteite. Dit was baie furstreerend om dit nie self te kon doen nie. Ek het na werk spin klasse by die plaaslike gym gegee om net so ietsie vir myself te doen. Later het ek 2 keer ‘n week spin klasse gegee en toe by ABC aangesluit as ‘n kamper; ek was absoluut mal daaroor! Ek het gedroom dat as ek aftree ek eendag ‘n ABC trainer gaan word, maar vining besef dat ek dan dalk te oud sal wees. My man het gesê ek moet my droom na jaag en begin swot. Ek het toe ingeskryf by IIFT vir my Personal Training Sertifikaat. Nie twee jaar daarna nie het ek die ABC Polokwane tak gekoop en daar word my droom waar! Nou kan ek by my kinders wees, hul self gaan oplaai by die skool en self help met huiswerk; dis so bevredigend. ABC het ons gesin se lewe so verander! Ons is almal gelukkig en ek is die eerste een wat sien hoe my kinders se dag by die skool was en ek is die een wat daar is om hul met huiswerk en ander takies te help. Die lewe saam met jou familie is so kosbaar en kort en ABC het vir my gewys hoe wonderlik dit is om die beste werk ooit te kan hê en die beste ma ooit te kan wees

I started at ABC as an assistant trainer over 3 years ago, and I knew it was the kind of fitness job I had been longing for. It is a well thought out exercise program resulting in a balanced, fun, tough workout and it’s for women only! What a pleasure?! It was an easy and obvious move to Franchise Owner and 6 months in, I’m happier than when I started at ABC – which I never thought was possible!

The support from Head Office and the other franchisees is invaluable. They are a passionate and knowledgeable group of determined people: determined to make me and ABC great. I have never owned my own business before and I have learnt so much. This kind of encouragement and support makes me feel confident to provide the best possible service to my ladies who have become like family. I look forward to waking up every day!

I joined the ABC family in August 2013 and have never looked back since. I am passionate about helping people reach their goals and ABC is the perfect platform to do just that.

Upon becoming a franchisee for ABC, I was (and still am) provided with so much support and positivity from head office, which really takes a lot of pressure off of my shoulders and allows me to focus on helping my campers achieve their goals, which in turn allows me to enjoy what I do.

I am constantly receiving advice, tips, guides and reminders for every aspect of running a business. Being an ABC franchisee includes all the benefits of having your own business, with the smallest possible risk because of the amazing team behind me.

I firmly believe that people should do what they enjoy when it comes to work. “Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life” for me, this quote proves to be true every day.

I have met some amazing women at camp and have seen many of them grow in confidence and shrink in dress size. There is no better feeling for a trainer, than when you see results in your clients (especially clients who have become friends) and I give credit to the team at head office because without their continued support, I wouldn’t have the energy to focus on and push the client as much as they needed to be pushed. It makes instructing very easy.

The actual time spent working is about 5 hours at most, which gives me a lot of free time to further my studies or take on private clients.

Financially, I have been able to live very comfortably and have been able to travel overseas, seeing and experiencing things that I would otherwise not be able to do if I was working for someone else in a 9-5 job.

Being an ABC franchisee is almost stress free, and less stress equals a much healthier lifestyle.