This archive report was first published on 7 September 2019.
At 39, Evelyne Okinyi Owala is a name to reckon with in the world of bodybuilding. Her journey into the sport was not planned, but rather a chance occurrence that has led her to win global awards and inspire others with her transformation.
With a background in banking, where she held a managerial position, Evelyne's entry into bodybuilding was unexpected. However, she has made the most of it, using her passion for exercise and healthy eating to achieve her goals.
According to Evelyne, she was not new to the hustle of selling gym merchandise, having done it seasonally while working at the bank. However, when her friend conned her out of her savings (Sh400,000), she was left with no choice but to start selling the merchandise full-time.
It was during this time that Evelyne started spending more time in the gym, where she would see people struggle or train the wrong way and offer to help. Towards the end of 2015, she thought to herself, 'How about I focus on one person and see if they transform?'
She approached one of the women at the gym, and after four months, the woman had shed some kilos and was happy with the results. This marked the beginning of Evelyne's journey as a fitness trainer, and her numbers kept growing.
By 2016, Evelyne had founded Eveal Health and Fitness, a team that she works with to train people in various gyms. She notes that one of the biggest mistakes that women make is exercising without watching what they eat. 'I try as much as I can to cut off junk and wheat from my diet,' she says.
Her passion for exercise and healthy eating has paid off, with Evelyne winning the Women bodybuilding championship 2019 title in an event organized by the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) in Angola. She also scooped two awards during the annual Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival held in South Africa.
On a typical day, Evelyne is up by 4am and sees her first client at 6am and the last at 8pm. She has a great support system, with her husband accompanying her to every competition and taking countless photos of her 'muscles out.'
Despite the challenges she faces in the testosterone-charged bodybuilding industry, Evelyne remains committed to her passion. She is presently training for an upcoming championship and loves her body, most when 'in season' or rather when she is all muscled up.
