Judith Sephuma’s fitness philosophy is a testament to her confident character. “Activate your beast mode,” the award-winning singer exclusively tells GLAMOUR South Africa. “Get in there and leave everything on the floor. Don’t miss a chance to be your best. Change your mindset.”
Praised as the Queen of Afro Jazz, Judith lives up to the title by always staying strong for her fans, who expect nothing but the best from the multi-platinum selling artist. “For a very long time I have always been a lover of fitness, just not as passionate as I am now,” she tells GLAMOUR. “Being on-stage forced me to take my fitness even more seriously, as it boosted my confidence and inspired many others to consider their fitness.”
Judith continues to inspire her followers by using her platform to promote the importance of health and wellness. She frequently takes to her fitness Instagram account to share her daily workout routine, healthy eating habits, and motivational mantras to encourage others to follow along on her journey and take a leap of faith into fitness right beside her. She has also been planning a leadership-focused bootcamp with a lineup of celebrated coaches to teach the value of living a healthy lifestyle.
“The things that the body releases through sweat, changes your energy for sure,” Judith notes. “It keeps one energized, excited, awake, alive and young. It’s an immune booster that we need.”
The fitness guru and Afro-pop singer opens up about embracing fitness, training during the pandemic, and what mental wellness means to her.
What sparked your passion for fitness and living a healthy lifestyle? Was this always important to you, or did a certain instance in your life inspire it?
For a very long time I have always been a lover of fitness, just not as passionate as I am now. Being on-stage forced me to take my fitness even more seriously, as it boosted my confidence and inspired many others to consider their fitness.
What is your current fitness regimen, and your nutrition plan you use to stay in shape?
I have been on so many diets with the hope of getting good results while training very hard and nothing would happen to my body. Until I changed my style of training.
I went more into functional training and started eating what I loved proportionally. No large meals. Hydrated enough,ran marathons, slept, and rested enough.
Knowing that the time factor is a major deterrent for many people, how is it that you are able to manage the demands of your music career and still make time to incorporate fitness into your lifestyle?
It’s amazing how important it is for me to train now. I realized that I get miserable when I don’t train. The man in my life is also very supportive and a personal trainer who pushes me so hard to make sure I get to the gym and that I eat well. We went on a pescatarian dIet for a while, eventually changing that as well to now eating more vegetarian with lots of vegetables even though we are not Vegan. We just enjoy food and it’s amazing.
What new music have you been working on recently?
We are now focusing more on virtual concerts but bringing really good music to our fans and friends. We want to stay relevant and to make sure we don’t lose touch musically. I am also planning a new album.
How do you think that exercise and fitness can be therapeutic?
It can be therapeutic if one doesn’t look at it as a problem. People are afraid of the pain and they don’t want to put in the effort but they want results.The things that the body releases through sweat, changes your energy for sure. It keeps one energized, excited, awake, alive and young. It’s an immune booster that we need.
Who or what gives you the most inspiration and motivation to achieve your fitness goals?
My partner is an amazing trainer. He’s passionate about his clients. I have seen so much change in myself since being trained by him because there is never a moment where we are not in the gym and he inspires not just me, but everyone he connects with.
He has been my trainer and is a great inspiration to me. His workouts are not your ordinary kind of workout and he pushes me beyond my ability.
He doesn’t allow excuses. When we train, we train hard or go home. Just like when he has a client. His passion-mode is always activated. He’s a life changer.
How would you describe your philosophy or motto on health and wellness?
Activate your beast mode. Get in there and leave everything on the floor. Don’t miss a chance to be your best. Change your mindset. You can do it. You’ve got this.
How do you prioritize your mental health with your fitness regimen?
Actually they work very well together. I can’t have a good session if I am not focused. I need to make sure that I am in the right state of mind to be able to enjoy a session.
So I always surround myself with positive people. Running as well brings such an amazing balance to my fitness journey. I balance my training well with weights and functional training, and find using body weight is very effective.
How would you define wellness?
It’s a mindset. It’s what you allow in your life that controls how you feel. You need to have a strong character, mindset and attitude towards a lot of things that can bring your emotions down. You need to be in control. Not to be controlled by unnecessary emotions.
What tips would you give to someone wanting to live a healthier and more mindful lifestyle?
Just do it. It’s worth it.
What are three beauty products you swear by - and the best beauty advice you could give?
Hahahaha, I actually don't use any beauty products. Have never. I was sponsored by Lightsculpt aesthetics clinic in Bedfordview for my weight loss 3 years ago and had the most amazing experience with their weight loss product.
And that’s what actually activated my weight loss. But nothing works without the other and I was training a lot. So that boosted me a lot.I am still training a lot. It's my lifestyle now. That’s when I saw great results.
They have amazing products. I also believe in their Immune booster and I believe that is why my system is so strong. I think it’s still in my body. It was so good.
What is something people may not know about you?
I love laughing! I laugh a lot. It’s the best natural therapy.
This article was written by Sebastien Lagree
