Shana Grobler Interview [adidas Perfect Fit Series]

Welcome to the Sleekgeek and adidas “Perfect Fit” series.  

We’re sharing the powerful stories of ladies in our community who have all used exercise and training to create massive change in their lives. adidas believes that “through sport, we have the power to change lives” and these ladies prove it.

Shana Grobler is a Sleekgeek powerlifter who we gave the “perfect fit” with a High Support Bra as well as tights and footwear to match her style.

In this interview, you can read all about her inspiring journey of change.

Watch the video below of Shana talking to us about how training and sport have changed her life.

Name: Shana Grobler
Age: 30
Location: Table View, Cape Town

What do you do? [Job]
I am the manager for a cleaning company called Marvellous Maids.

What else do you do? [Hobbies, non-work stuff, etc] 95% of the time I am Powerlifting or training at the gym haha.

YOU AND SLEEKGEEK

How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
I think I’m going on 3 years now

How did you find Sleekgeek?
My friend Lauren Sass Zans told me about Sleekgeek but it took me a few months to actually join the group. I was too scared to make changes in my life.

What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
I love the daily inspiration. I can be in the worst of moods and feel like giving up and just have to open the group and VOILÀ, inspiration!

YOUR TRANSFORMATION

Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
The old me smoked 2 packets of cigarettes a day, binged on chocolate, chips, take-outs and partied and used drugs day in and day out. I got clean and stopped smoking, then picked up 22kg because I cross addicted to junk food extremely badly.

It took me almost reaching triple digits to try and change my life. I joined Sleekgeek and I reached out to a Coach that I had seen in the group because I saw how she had overcome food addiction too. Life just got better with each day being an active member on Sleekgeek. I was given an exercise program by my coaches, and on that program was deadlifts.

Once they helped me perfect my form I was literally hooked on lifting heavier… They added barbell squats, and we realised that I had a natural talent to lift heavy.

Then the Powerlifter inside was born. From then all I could think of was competing at World Powerlifting Championships.

What ignited your initial motivation to change?
Initially, I hated being fat! I started getting bad back pain, my left foot was in agony, I couldn’t enjoy a day out with my son. My boyfriend got into bodybuilding and we both joined a gym. I thought if I’m paying for it, I better use it lol.

What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?
The new me try to make better choices on a daily basis. I don’t binge anymore like I used to, my binges would last for months whereas now I’m aware and the binge may last a few hours.

I’m in the gym lifting for 2 hours 5 days a week. My life is structured and I have a schedule to follow. This allows me to become more disciplined and focused.

What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
I strive with my food addiction. I like chocolate, I like Pizza… WAAAAAY too much. But I’ve learnt in life it’s not all or nothing, so even though my eating is a daily struggle, I do not punish myself for mistakes.

If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be
Make healthier choices! If I want a chocolate, have a sweet cup of green tea instead, If I want a sandwich, have a chicken wrap instead. Making healthier choices will become habit which will become a lifestyle. It won’t be a sacrifice anymore.

Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
Many many many times. The amount of times I messaged coach saying I’m a failure is insane. But every single time I got up, dusted myself off and kept going. And look at me today, featuring in a campaign with adidas, A brand ambassador for Lifeline, an important part of Sleekgeek leading the “Mission Possible Challenges”.

Nothing is impossible because if just NOT ever giving up no matter how hard it got turned my life into this? Then I’d do it over and over again!

What is better since you got healthy?
My whole life is better. I can play with my son without half dying, work is easier because I can walk up stairs without half dying. I can train for hours at the gym and want more. I am an organ donor because my body is healthy. Life is amazing.

TRAINING

What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc] Obviously Heavy Weight lifting haha my most favorite exercise is Deadlifting

How long have you been training and how did you get started?
I’ve now been training for 3 years bit Powerlifting Training for almost 2 years. It started with a simple exercise plan from my coaches and turned into intense Powerlifting Training for competitions. 

What does your typical workout look like?
I have different plans for different days. My favorite is Lower Body Day which looks something like:

• Deadlifts
• Squats
• Leg Press
• Leg Curl
• Hamstring Curl
• Stiff Leg Deadlift
• Barbell Hip Thrust
• Kettlebell Swings
• Goblet Squats with Kettlebell
• Seated Calf Raises
• Abductor
• Adductors
• End off with Stretches

Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc] Deadlifts by far

Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc] Cardio, cardio and cardio….. Eeew

How does exercise make you feel?
Strong, beautiful, like it’s me against the world and I win every time. It makes me feel like I’m good at something, like I’m worthy. It makes me feel free.

Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
I prefer to train alone because I get in the zone and just kick ass but when I train with people we talk too much and don’t train hahaha. 

Most embarrassing training moment?
I was doing deadlifts and my tummy was feeling icky and I kind of pooped my pants…. It was terrible. I ran to the bathroom and showered and ended the workout right there haha. 

Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
1. pre-workout
2. My Wrist Wraps
3. A Squat Rack ?

Your next training goal?

To Deadlift 165kg and Squat 145kg and Bench 70kg ?

Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
1. Eminem – Killshot
2. Eminem – Venom
3. Linkin Park – Numb
4. Eminem – Fall
5. Eminem – Lucky You

Eminem just makes me annihilate the weights haha. 

How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life?

Weight Training has honestly made me a better person. I have learned to be patient, because gains and strength don’t come fast lol. I’ve learnt to be disciplined and I’ve learnt to believe in myself. These three aspects flow over into my everyday life and I have just become a better person inside and out.

YOUR ADIDAS BRAS AND TIGHTS EXPERIENCE

Watch the video below with our adidas bra expert explaining the various supports we selected for our ladies and their on camera reactions. 

How did your adidas bra and tights experience make you feel? Any comments or things you loved about the overall experience?

Wow… Where do I start! I was called into the dressing room and the specialist took me through the different types of bras and tights. She gave me the ones she thought would be perfect for me. And they were!

She knew what I needed and how I needed them. She made me feel super important, like I was the only client she had that whole day. They made me feel like a superstar. The quality of their tights and Bra’s are incredible. I am hooked….

NUTRITION

What’s your favourite meal?
Ham and Bacon Pizza from Domino’s

OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
I love chicken stir fry with cauliflower rice. 

What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one] I truly believe that my eating has to be sustainable for life, because I want to live this way forever not just another fad diet! So I have my cheat meal and I enjoy it and tomorrow it’s back to the grind.

How many meals a day do you eat?
I currently do Intermittent Fasting so I’m having 2 big meals a day.

Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?

I call it a High Calorie meal. It’s not a cheat meal because I’m not doing anything wrong.

MINDSET

Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?
I placed first at 2 of my 3 Powerlifting competitions and second in my last Powerlifting competition. I have medals, certificates and I placed for SA’s. This was the most amazing thing that ever happened to me.

Being chosen to be a part of a Sleekgeek and adidas campaign is very close to topping this list though haha

Favorite quote?
I might not be a Victoria Secret Model, but I can pick one up and Squat her!

Favourite book?
All the Harry Potter books haha! I’m like a sick super fan.

What inspires and motivates you?
My coaches inspire and motivate me every single day. Reading success stories on the Sleekgeek Facebook Group, and reading the struggles of real people and seeing them never quit! It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. I sometimes cry at the amazing strength of these every day people in the Sleekgeek Community.

For what are you most grateful?
I am so so grateful to have all my limbs, to be healthy and to be able to go to gym everyday and slay! I’m grateful that I can afford to eat healthy food. I’m so grateful that I am alive…. 5 years ago, if I did not find recovery, I’d be dead!

What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
I was nervous and hesitant at first too. I never I’m a million years thought I’d be where I am today. But don’t you think believing in yourself just this once could do more good than harm?

Don’t you think taking a chance on the amazing beautiful you would make you happy and excited? What do you have to lose besides weight, bad habits, crap food and the feeling of utter disappointment in yourself.

Do it now… Right now! Start by changing one bad thing a day and you will see how amazing your life will become.

What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?

1. You are going to fall! Don’t worry, just get up and carry on going.

2. Get a coach! If I could do it myself I would of.

3. Don’t forget that it took you 20+ years to get this unhealthy, it is not going to be thin and healthy in a week. Be prepared to transform over a long period of time.

4. If you are battling speak up, you have 85,000 people right now in this Sleekgeek Facebook Group who have felt the same at some point. If you post about it the love and appreciation you receive will pick you up in no time at all.

5. LADIES! LIFTING HEAVY WEIGHT WILL NOT TURN YOU INTO A MAN! This is utter bull! Get off the treadmill and go to the weight section. The changes in your body will astonish you.

Shana.