Woman Crush Wednesday With Shantel Bhatch

Woman Crash Wednesdays on zonline is a series of monthly publications all about showcasing African women that are not afraid to break barriers and pursue their dreams, showing the world that African women are intelligent, assertive and beautiful plus the progress our continent is making in ensuring wider opportunities for women today more than ever before. To those women reading this series of articles that are starting today, remember that you don't need to kill yourself to kill it... Just do you and play your small role in progressing and inspiring other women and together... we can make Africa great again!!! Leave your thoughts and comments in the comments section...

Today is Africa Day and what a day to launch this series - Happy Africa Day to you all!!! Our first woman Crush today is Shantel... Read our interview with this African Queen below:

Q: Some folks have never heard of Shantel… please introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Shantel Bhatch, born and raised in Bulawayo. 2nd eldest of 4 female siblings and mother of 2 boys. I’m a professional secretary but work as a personal trainer while being a passionate competitive bodybuilder.

Q: Wow you are making me feel so lazy kkkkk... I have one job and feel like I never have time for anything and here you are juggling being a mom to two boys, a professional secretary, being a personal trainer and a competitive bodybuilder. Such an impressive resume already and we haven't even started with our 10000 questions. So let's delve into your body-building career... Please educate us Shantel; What is bodybuilding?

*chuckles* It seems like a lot but it's not... You just need to understand a routine that works for you and you will be amazed at how much time you have to achieve all you aspire to be. Bodybuilding is a form of training designed to strengthen and build muscle. Bodybuilding competition is where this muscle development is displayed against others of the same category and compared to a placing.

Q: How did you get started in bodybuilding and why bodybuilding?

It was by chance; I was in a gym training to obtain personal fitness when I was discovered and recruited by a bodybuilding coach who introduced me to the sport. I fell in love with it.

Q: How long have you been a professional body builder and How many bodybuilding competitions have you done?

I started back in 2015. I honestly can’t remember all of them but I’m sure maybe about 20 by now.

Q: What would you say has so far been your biggest accomplishment as a professional bodybuilder?

I would say firstly winning the national title on home ground, Zimbabwe, then finally also being 1st place in South Africa.

Q: Do you have a bodybuilding coach? Is it worth having a coach?

For the last 5yrs maybe I have not had a coach. I would say yes it is worth it if you have a good one onboard with you. It's also safer to have an experienced coach especially for beginners.

Q: What's your favorite exercise or workout? And why?

I actually do not have a favourite, I just love working out, period! I love seeing the results for a healthy, fit and well balanced body.

Q: What are the 3 biggest challenges you have faced as a professional woman bodybuilder?

In the beginning it was judgment and some criticism as people misunderstood the sport and also believed it is for men only. The second one will probably be trying to balance the strain and pressure of competition preps with family and work. Thirdly the unfortunate but expected pursuit or rejection from men because of physical aspects rather than actually getting to know me as a person and not just seeing me as an object.

Q: Is your grocery shopping list the same during off-season and during in-season?

It’s mostly the same, I try not to change it too much.

Q: What does a typical in-season day look like for you?

I wake up at 4.30am freshen up , pack my pre-made meals for the 2 morning eats. Go to work which is the gym by 6am. At about roughly 7-8 am I do my cardio. 30-45mins after that I have my first breakfast meal. I then work, training clients etc . By about 11am I have my 2nd meal or mid morning snack. Depending on free times, but definitely before 2pm when I go on my break, I put in my weights training. I then have my lunch, go home and rest a bit... 30mins or so and get back to work. I tend to have a meal again between 5-6pm and knock off from work at 7pm, eat again at about 8pm. I then start on my meal prep if necessary for the next day(s), bath and sleep by 9.30-10pm as normally by that time I’m nackered from the day.

Q: In general is bodybuilding a socially acceptable profession for women in Zimbabwe?

Times have changed a great deal so I would like to believe that it is in some circles. It's hard to paint the entire country with one brush but in general I think so.

Q: Why are Zimbabwean women afraid of bodybuilding? What would you say to those thinking about it but on the fence about getting started?

Most believe it will make you look like a muscular man; no it won't... I am a professional bodybuilder and look nothing like a man. If you love it go for it mah; the world will adjust.

Q: Do you find in general that men are intimidated because you are a professional bodybuilder? What specifically do you think intimidates them?

I don’t think they are intimidated as such. It's a mix of experiences; as I mentioned before some men will reject a woman bodybuilder because she is strong or because of some physical attributes while some men will pursue her because of some warped perception of women bodybuilders. I guess they all have their own opinions about it which can’t really be generalized. Hopefully, there are still good men out there that will pursue a woman's mind and not her career choice. Having said that I think times are changing and our African culture and customs also changing to accommodate the new opportunities now open to women including women in bodybuilding.

Q: What are the advantages of body building?

Better health, more strength and ofcourse you get to look amazing all round.

Q: Is there an upcoming competition that you are currently training for?

Yes there’s a few actually, npc pro qualifier Pretoria , Arnold classic South Africa and Zim nationals

Q: Wow that's quite a few competitions; all the best from all of us at zonline and I'm sure some readers will leave comments extending you all the best for your upcoming competitions. We will keep an eye on your progress. What is the one thing you now know about bodybuilding that you wish you knew when you started?

There’s always something new you learn with bodybuilding and it can never end. So I can’t say there is something I wish I knew then, because I’m sure there is a lot more I haven’t learned yet. But... if I had to mention one thing, then maybe it's that I wish I'd started sooner.

Q: What advice would you give other young girls that aspire to be professional bodybuilders?

Focus, be consistent, keep your eye, mind and heart on the goal. Make it a lifestyle!

Q: If you had the authority and power, what would you change in the bodybuilding field in Zimbabwe?

I’d try to better competitions as far as prizes and standards are concerned. Also find ways to promote bodybuilders so that they are more recognised as sportsman and gain the sponsorships they need to continue presenting their gyms, cities and country.

Q: Do you have a website that people can review your fitness training services?

Not quite but I'm working on something pretty kool that will be online soon, so please google Shantel Batch and you will be able to book me for a personal training program tailored to your specific body type and fitness goals from around June this year, 2022.

Well, there you have it folks... our first Woman Crash Shantel Bhatch - Professional Bodybuilder. Hopefully, through this article, she will inspire others to focus on pursuing their goals. The world is changing and if Africa is to become great again then we need to ensure equal opportunities for both men and women. For the longest time African women have been marginalized and it's our hope that through these monthly Women Crash Wednesday articles we can in some way encourage every African citizen to lobby their policy makers to ensure better opportunities for our African Queens.

Remember to leave a comment or thought for Shantel and other readers in the comments sections below.