25 year old Celestie Engelbrecht thought all her dreams had come true when she won the title of Fittest Woman in Africa in the June 2014 CrossFit competition. The Beastess has arrived!
But her adventure is just starting…
Celestie Beastess Engelbrecht’s new title allows her the opportunity to take part in The International CrossFit Games in California in July, which will require her to train a gruelling three sessions per day to prepare to compete against the fittest people in the world.
The training is going to push Beastess to her absolute limits. But there’s another factor that’s going to take its toll: She works a standard 9 to 5 job too at fsphealthandfitness.co.za
It seems at the prime of her athletic career, Beastess has someone looking out for her. Just four days after she won the title, fsphealthandfitness.co.za stepped in and were named as Beastess’ official sponsor as she starts her journey to California.
So what does this mean for the Fittest Woman in Africa?
Q: Were you worried about the clash between your work and training?
A: Yes, I knew winning Africa Regionals and having the opportunity to go to The Crossfit Games would mean more training hours and less work. I just bought a house too so financially I knew it was going to be a challenge for me. Not to mention the fundraising I’ll have to make provision for to get to The Games in California. Ideally, I would want to train full time to be able to do well at The Games. Not only this year but so I can defend my title at next year’s Regionals too.
Q: How has this sponsorship helped you in terms of living your dreams?
A: Getting the opportunity to be an fsphealthandfitness.co.za official Brand Ambassador is a dream come true. Being a Brand Ambassador gives me the opportunity to be a full time athlete, train more while being able to recover and compete internationally throughout the year. Besides that it’s a platform to give back to the community where interested people can follow my journey, read my blog and get tips on how they can get better at Crossfit.
Q: How can people follow your journey to California?
A: If you interested in following my journey or using my tips to improve your CrossFit career, you can follow my Facebook Page by searching for CrossfitBeastess, or follow me on Twitter, I’m @beastess53 and on Instagram, @crossfitbeasty.
Q: What do you want to say to others who have similar dreams to you?
A: Regionals was the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced. I’ve never won a competition this big before and the fear of not being good enough despite all my training almost beat me. But I got through because I believed in myself and the preparations I had made to get where I am. So it’s important to believe in yourself, work hard and have faith in the effort you’ve put in.
CEO of fsphealthandfitness.co.za, Annabel Koffman, had this to say:
“We’re very proud to have Celestie as part of the fsphealthandfitness.co.za team. Beastess epitomizes the values of our brand which is to help people live a ‘naturally’ healthier life.
I have followed her very short but incredible journey as a CrossFit athlete. In just 18 months she has gone from never having actually participated in CrossFit to coming fourth last year and then first this year to become the Fittest Woman in Africa.
One must understand that this sport is not just a demonstration of physical strength but rather incredible mental strength and it is this strength that will carry her to new heights at the games in Carson, California and in her career.
It is also this mental strength that Celestie loves to encourage in others in their pursuit of a healthier life.”
There’s no doubt that Beastess is on her way to conquer the CrossFit world. With her strength, determination and the support of fsphealthandfitness.co.za there’s little she can do wrong.
