Dear Reader,

If you love reading a 'black girl magic' story, you will want to stick around for this feature.

Welcome back to episode twenty seven of Tizi Talks with Sylvie Wambui. She is currently the East Africa project manager for Phoenix Risen; a WEF New Champions 5050 supported platform that brings men and women together to combat sexism as the root cause of sexual violation. Sylvie is also the project manager for another initiative called 'She Loves Tech' which is a global startup competition and conference series that aims to showcase the convergence of the latest trends in technology, entrepreneurship, innovation, and opportunities they provide for women.

As you will see, Sylvie is a pro yogi! Her passion for yoga and meditation has led her to focus on raising awareness on mental health. After coming back to Kenya from the UK where she did her university studies, she realized that people looked at mental health in a negative light.

During our hang out, she explained the need to provide young people with an outlet where they can talk about issues that make them struggle with their mental health. She has started making the necessary moves to start a mind and body wellness center in the coming year. I got to learn so much about her including her love for burgers from Mama Rocks. Here is how it went down...

TIZI: How old are you?

SW: 24

TIZI: How long have you been working out?

SW: I have been working out since I was about 15, but I was always active in various sports throughout school; particularly swimming, football, and netball.

TIZI: What made you start?

SW: I am not sure there was any particularly defining moment that made me start working out. Again, being active in sports in school meant I was always involved in some physical activity. If I think of when I actively started going to the gym and getting into activities like boot-camps, interval training and the like, it was towards the end of high school and I can't see myself stopping anytime soon.

TIZI: Can you please take us through your daily fitness routine on a weekday? And the weekend?

SW: My fitness routine really varies. So I usually wake up between 5:30 am and 6:30am and do morning yoga and meditation for about half an hour! I go the gym on Monday, Wednesday and Friday where I do cardio for 15-20 mins, then weights and other exercises for another 20 mins and then cool down by doing a 10min restorative yoga session.

.....On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I usually just focus on my Yoga and do Ashtanga Power Yoga for 45 mins to an hour and if I have time in the evening, I go on a 7 km run. On the weekend, I mostly focus on yoga or go on long walks! That said I recently started going for boot camp on Saturday morning.

TIZI: Do you find it difficult to include your workout in your daily routine?

SW: Not usually; only when except when things get busy at work but I make up for it on the weekend.

TIZI: Do you feel like it has made a difference in your life? If yes, how so?

SW: I don't think I would be functional if I didn't work out. When I haven't worked out in a week or two, I feel heavy, lethargic and even quite low. Working out is the one time in a day where I really get to set my goals for the day, escape and meditate on all other aspects of life. Working out isn't my whole life but it's a very important piece of the puzzle

TIZI: What keeps you motivated?

SW: The feeling I have after working out! Knowing that at the end of he workout I will feel energized and full of endorphins!

TIZI: What can you advise people who want to start their fitness journey?

SW: Just do it! Just start! You owe it to yourself! It will improve every aspect of your life!

Photocredits: Brian Koome

Location: Fitness Revolution

Yours In Wellness

@TIZITALKS

Subscribe to receive more of our newsletters directly to your email. We would love to hear from you!