This archive report was first published on 21 December 2019.
'The gym reintroduced me to a tougher version of myself' ¶
On a chilly morning in December 2015, Roselyne Omanga made a life-changing decision. She quit her job as a bank manager, citing stress and health concerns as the reasons. At the time, she weighed 78 kilos and was struggling with migraines.
Fast forward to 2019, and Roselyne is a different person. She has lost 15kgs and has become a certified CrossFit Level One (CF-L1) trainer. Her journey to fitness began at the FirstPower Fitness gym at Galleria Mall, where she met Coach Collins and his squad of eight.
As we chat after her session, Roselyne reflects on her decision to quit her job. 'I was in management with a local bank when I quit in December 2015. I was delivering my numbers but my position had too much politics – I was stressed and kept getting migraines. My family is predisposed to high blood pressure; the doctor had suggested I take medication. I quit my job because my health was at risk.'
Despite the initial struggles, Roselyne found solace in the gym. She started attending sessions in February 2016 and eventually became a certified trainer in 2018. CrossFit, an intense fitness regimen, has been instrumental in her transformation. 'It prescribes for the body's natural and functional movements, and limits the use of machines,' she explains.
Today, Roselyne is a confident and inspiring figure, not just in the gym but also on social media. Her Instagram feed is filled with videos and photos of her fitness journey, complete with hashtags like #progressnotperfection and #itsalifestylething. When asked about negative comments on social media, Roselyne scoffs, 'My biggest issue on social media isn't the negativity, it's the so-called 'trainers'. People are always telling me I'm not doing this or that right. You can't be obese then tell me how to lift a dead weight! We have different bodies.'
As we conclude our conversation, Roselyne's squad is still going strong, with Coach Collins wrapping up the session at 6am. The gym has indeed reintroduced Roselyne to a tougher version of herself, and she is now inspiring others to do the same.
