Today we speak to charismatic community member Benson Rewu who is known for inspiring the community with his cheerful and powerful messages of positivity. Many Sleekgeeks said they would love to see an interview with Benson to get to know him better so here it is!
Name: Benson Rewu
Age: 28
Location: Nelspruit (Mpumalanga)
What do you do?
I am an educator.
What else do you do?
I am Married with 3 kids. I spend most of my time with my family. We enjoy watching movies together. I am also into health and fitness.
I did my first natural bodybuilding competition in 2017 which took place in Durban. I got second place. It was a big achievement for me. I am giving back to my community by delivering fitness classes and also doing personal training.
I love going around schools doing motivational speaking. Sharing my testimony with the youth, to empower them with hope and vision for the future!
YOU AND SLEEKGEEK
How long have you been a member of Sleekgeek?
It has been a year now.
How did you find Sleekgeek?
One of my friends told me about Sleekgeek.
What is your favourite part of the Sleekgeek Community?
Seeing community members physical transformation and daily inspirations
YOUR TRANSFORMATION
Describe the “old you” before you made your transformation. How did you get there and what were you like?
I used to play Rugby, I loved it. Until I was picked on about my physique. I was quite small and short. I decided to do something about it. I did not know anything about health and fitness. I started reading books, watching fitness Youtube videos on how to train. That was the best thing I did for myself.
What ignited your initial motivation to change?
People started noticing and asking how I manage to build the muscle that I gained. That inspired me a lot.
What are some of the things that the new you does differently now?
Keeping a healthy eating lifestyle.
Being flexible with my eating plan and and training!
What are some of the things that the new you still struggles with?
Dieting is not one of the easiest things in this world!
If you could give yourself 1 piece of advice to help with that struggle, what would it be?
Rather don’t call it a diet, call it a healthy lifestyle! Because if you cannot do it for longevity, if you “suffer”, then you should find a different eating plan that works for you.
It’s not the end of the world when you have cheated on your nutrition! Be flexible anyway, enjoy life, remember that one step a day will bring you closer to your victory! Your goal is not a event, it is a journey!
Did you plateau, get stuck, or get disillusioned, or even slide backwards a bit on your journey?
That is normal, it is not all the time when things will go as smooth as you want it to be.
At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself, why you started the journey in the first place? That will motivate you to push through the plateau or any barrier you are facing.
Yes I felt like quitting, yes I experienced plateaus, bit I still kept my plan consistent, and that allowed me to reach my goals!
What is better since you got healthy?
I run faster, I feel much more confident and people ask me daily on how to improve their physique. Fitness has taught me to be disciplined with all other areas of my life. Family, work, nutrition and spiritually.
TRAINING
What’s your favourite form of exercise? [Running, yoga, weightlifting, etc]
Weightlifting
How long have you been training and how did you get started?
I have been training for 13 years. I always wanted to look different and live different. There is power in being different!
I believed that there was more to life than just living and working.
What does your typical workout look like?
Monday: Full Body
Tuesday: Push & 10 Min HIIT training
Wednesday: Pull
Thursday: Legs
Friday: Tae bo (1 hour)
Saturday: Rest
Sunday:Rest
I believe in training with the correct form, and also doing supersets.
It’s all about consistency……..character…….and…………what you want in the next 10 years.
Don’t say i will start in the new week…..start right now….
Don’t say i do not have supplements……eat what you have…..
Don’t say i do not have money for the right foods….make the best with what you have…
Time goes by in anyway….Give yourself credit for how far you have come!
GIVE IT YOUR BEST SHOT!”
Favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Squats
Lateral Raises
I believe in spending time on your weak points!
Least favorite exercise? [Distance / pose / movement / etc]
Bench press
How does exercise make you feel?
Exercise is my therapy! It does not only benefit me physically, but spiritually as well.
It is a privilege to be able to workout, it is not punishment, but a big blessing to add on our daily lives.
I do not train to be better than anyone else, but I train to be better than I was the previous day! Me against myself! I will never know how fast or strong you are until you put yourself in a uncomfortable position! #PRIVILEGE
Do you prefer to train alone or with others? Why?
I have been training alone for more that 4 years. Training with someone from time to time is beneficial! You are able to test your strength and perseverance!
I guess I have been training alone for so long that I prefer it to stay this way!
I do not have any problem training with a partner!
Most embarrassing training moment?
I was training alone in my colleagues tv room. I remember doing bench press. I did not use the clips on the sides. The weights moved more to my right arm side and decides to drop down on the floor allowing the bar to bounce back to my left arm side………………the bar collided with his television allowing the screen to burst.?
Top 3 things you must have at the gym or in your gym bag?
Pre workout
Headphones
Food?
Your next training goal?
I want to compete in another INBA Natural Body Building competition. This will be my second time competing in the INBA. I want to get shredded with more muscle mass than my previous competition.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist?
Awake and alive by Skillet
Praying for rain by Black Motion Caiiro
Cannonball earthquake remix by Showtek Justin
Force by Alan Walker
Prod by Nupel beats
How has exercise/training/Sport Changed your life?
As I have mentioned above, training did not just change my physical appearance, but it change my entire view of life.
I have learned that i need to trust myself, break the rules (not the law), don’t be afraid to fail, work hard and give back to those that were there for me.
It is a privilege to be at a place where you can help and inspire those that are working hard to change and develop themselves!
My Tattoo is a Bible Scripture meaning to be strong and courageous. – Joshua 1:9
NUTRITION
What’s your favourite meal?
A burger?
OK, now what’s your favourite healthy meal?
A protein wrap!
Favourite protein?
Chicken
Favourite fat?
Avocado
Favourite carbohydrate?
Sweet potato
What’s your nutrition philosophy / approach? [If you have one]
It depends what my goals are, if my plan is to get shredded, I go into a caloric deficit. I eat 2,000 calories a day.
300g carbs
200 g protein
40 g fats
The macros mentioned above got me to second place in the INBA bodybuilding competition.
#Privilege
How many meals a day do you eat?
6
Do you have a cheat meal / treat strategy?
I have one “refeed” day a week where I increase my carbs a little.
Being flexible of course!
MINDSET
Most memorable personal best achievement to date. Something you maybe never imagined you could do?
Getting my body to 8% body fat.
Favorite quote?
Do not let your talents take you places where your character cannot keep you!
Favourite book?
7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
What inspires and motivates you?
Christ
My children
My wife
The fact that we have one life, and that one life may end at any given time!
For what are you most grateful?
My family!
What do you want to say to other community members who might be nervous or hesitant to make a start?
Start where you are, use what you have and start making healthier meals with the foods you currently have.
Do not wait for the right time, do not wait for the right nutrition, do not wait to get to the gym! Start where you are and use what you have!
Track your progress, write down and make notes, this is the easiest way to track your progress! Remember to be patient, this is a journey!
Ask yourself why you want to start in the first place?….Your why will push you to the next level?!
Know that health and fitness is a privilege, someone out there is wishing to have what you have, to eat what you eat and to do what you do! Do not take your journey for granted.
Lastly….learn to celebrate you victories, no matter how small they are! Appreciate your efforts!
What are your top 5 tips for anyone starting on a healthy journey?
- Live!
- Laugh!
- Small steps a day!
- It’s YOU against yourself!
- Give something back to your community!
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