By Cebisile Mbonani
The art of bodybuilding changed Vinoliah Mosothane's life, changing her body, mindset, and lifestyle. "I was skinny, and I wanted to gain confidence. You know when you wear something, clothes are hanging, and sometimes you struggle to find a size. The clothes don't fit the way you want them to," said Mosothane (36).
Mosothane, who grew up in Soweto, Dobsonville, decided to change her body from her minuscule frame into a muscular body after a conversation in 2009 with coach Sobantu who works in the fitness industry. She told the coach that she didn't like how she looked. She wanted to gain a bit of weight.
That conversation changed Mosothane's life. From that of being an office girl to winning bodybuilding competitions.
As Mosothane worked on her body and confidence at the gym, coach Sobantu who is very acquainted with the bodybuilding industry, said to Masothane, "How about you try this sport of bodybuilding." At that time, Mosothane didn't know anything about bodybuilding, but she did her research and was introduced to coach Junior Sibiya who became her prep coach, and that was where her journey began. "To me, I had to build up, take control of the body and build up my confidence," said Masothane.
June 11 2022, Vinoliah Mosothane is backstage getting to walk on stage for 2022 super bodies competition.
Picture: Cebisile Mbonani
"The first time I walked on stage, I didn't know what I was doing, but the day before my first competition, I was on YouTube learning how to pose and walk on the stage," said Mosothane. She didn't have any formal training for bodybuilding competitions.
Mosothane's diet runs for two months straight before the day of the competition and consists of grilled or steamed food such as chicken, fish, oats, cruciferous vegetables, rice, and no sugar. "The diet is very hard and taxing mentally," said Mosothane. The food she eats has no added spice besides salt and pepper.
"The prep season is hard because you watch your friends and family eat whatever they want, and you must be very disciplined and follow a strict diet and training routine," said Mosothane
Mosothane has since won several bodybuilding competitions. Her body has transformed right in front of her friends and family, through her discipline and passion.
"What I like about bodybuilding competitions is stage presence, how your body can transform during preparation and what it takes to get your body there. The discipline and the hard work."
Vinoliah Mosothane recently added a certified personal trainer to her fitness journey and runs fitness classes LIVE on Instagram every Monday and Wednesday.
