Page 39 - KZN Top Business Women 2019 eBook

Not everything needs to be done in one day and

accept where you are at presently and live in the moment.

Owner and Head Trainer, Obstacle course racing of a fighting spirit, and we just make things happen.
at We Train Revolution Her husband, who was one of her clients, introduced No matter how we feel, we get the job done.”
Mariska to obstacle course racing as a sport after she Mariska says that she is very grateful for what she has
ARISKA GRACE JAMES is the owner and had been ill and was on the mend. accomplished so far which she would have not done
head trainer of We Train Revolution, without her support base. “Every accomplishment
Mwhich is an obstacle, boxing and strength “I entered the Warrior Race and was hooked. I knew is a gift that I don’t take for granted.” However, she
training facility, for children, level one beginners that I wanted to incorporate my passion for obstacle would like to obtain more exposure for the course
as well as elite athletes. Her role is to oversee the course racing into the gym and wanted to build my as well as her gym by growing her ’fitness family’.
facilities, create programmes, run classes, liaise with own course.” Initially, Mariska struggled to find a venue
clients, provide massage treatments, and to give with the space that was needed to house an obstacle “We have this incredible course and I would love to
obstacle course racing coaching. course. “Once I had found a venue, construction see more clients as well as more trainers enjoying
started slowly as I had no money to start building the the use of the facility. We are so welcoming to any
Mariska comes from a South African netball back- course. I asked on our internal We Train Revolution new person of any fitness level.”
ground and reflected that she had trained hard and
been excited about pushing boundaries. group if anyone had gum poles lying around and the Mariska would also like to increase the number of
construction project took off from there.” people participating in the races – obstacle wars –
We Train Revolution was started in 2009. Mariska says which are held there.
that she could never have gotten to where she is Mariska ascribes her business success to her
today without the people in her life who supported members who have become friends. “My members Enjoy what you do
her dreams and believed in her. have shared my dream, believed in me, and stuck by Commenting on her efforts to achieve a work-life
me, especially through the many changes when I balance Mariska says that she has learnt the hard way.
She explains, ‘I was on a journey looking for some- was sick. We Train Revolution is a true fitness family.”
thing new. I was in decorating for ten years and “I believe I was previously so sick because I had no
had reached a quiet patch. A friend asked me to A strong mental fortitude balance. For four years I was sick, unable to exercise,
train her. Then another friend asked and within six In reflecting on who has inspired her, Mariska says which is my passion, and I had to re-evaluate my
months I had 70 clients. From there the dream just that she feels inspired by the people around her priorities in life.” Now Mariska tries to rest during the day
built, and I studied to be a personal trainer.” who believe in her and her dreams. “I believe God and remembers to unplug in the evenings after classes.
“As you are dealing with people, work-life balance is
At that time Mariska only had six yoga mats, and she puts dreams in my heart, and I make sure I stay crucial in this industry, you can’t be tired or have a bad
went to her clients’ houses for one on one training. within God’s calling each day. Once I have a dream, I mood.” In addition, having a personal assistant also
Unfortunately, she got very sick during this time and set goals for myself and because I have been gifted helps in taking some of the workload off Mariska.
had to change her strategy. with a strong mental fortitude, I get to where I want
to be.” What advice would she give her younger self if she
“Instead of one on one training, I started looking for could in this moment? “I would say that you are
venues to do group training. I found a venue and my Commenting on whether women must have a good enough and that you can’t please everyone
business just grew from there.” different approach than men to be successful, Mariska and its ok. Your life is filled with a lot of different

Mariska ran five venues, from Ballito to Hillcrest, says that she thinks it is natural for women to have personalities and sometimes you must just accept
offering weight training, boxing and strength train- a different approach to business than men. “Women that you tried your best. Remember, to enjoy life
ing. She has since downscaled and operates in only and men deal with people differently based on and enjoy what you do. Not everything needs to
one venue but has increased her services to offer their perspectives and bring a different dynamic to be done in one day and accept where you are at
obstacle course racing training. business. We are more sensitive, but also have more presently and live in the moment.”

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