A snapshot of our August/Women's Month cover story featuring Zinhle Masango

As we celebrate Women’s Month, Under Armour and award-winning fitness influencer and bodybuilding champion Zinhle Masango are championing the power of women who continue to evolve, inspire and redefine strength. Their partnership is a natural fit, reflecting a shared commitment to resilience, performance and purposeful growth.

Zinhle Mahlangu’s long-standing partnership with Under Armour reflects a shared belief in performance, purpose and the power of evolving with every challenge. Together, they are inspiring women to own their journeys and redefine what it means to be strong. In the spirit of Women’s Month, Zinhle affirms that being an empowered woman means believing that no matter where you come from or what you’ve been through, you can create the life you dream of. “My journey has taught me that strength isn’t about never falling, it’s about getting back up every single time. From a girl born in Daveyton to building a career, buying my own home, rebuilding my confidence, becoming an athlete, and creating a platform that inspires others, I’ve learned that we’re capable of so much more than we often give ourselves credit for,” she says.

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Zinhle Masango Is Unapologetic by Design

For Zinhle, empowerment means choosing yourself, doing the work, trusting God, and having the courage to keep showing up, even when the path isn’t easy. When asked how her definition of strength has evolved over the years, she responds that, for a long time, she believed strength was something you could see: muscles, pushing your body to its limits and looking physically strong. “But life has completely redefined that for me. Today, I believe the strongest women are often the softest. Strength is having the courage to be vulnerable, to heal, to walk away from what no longer serves you and to remain kind in a world that can harden you. It’s knowing who you are, standing confidently in that truth and not shrinking yourself to make others comfortable. Physical strength may have introduced me to confidence, but inner strength is what has sustained me,” she says. That said, was there a defining moment when she realised that movement and wellness were about more than merely physical fitness? “Absolutely!”

Reflecting on a season in her life when she was homeless and living in her car, she says, “The gym became so much more than a place to train. It became my refuge. It was the one place where I felt safe, where I could breathe and temporarily silence everything happening around me.” She also recalls the countless nights after leaving an abusive relationship. “The flashbacks and anxiety would become unbearable. At two o’clock in the morning, while most people were asleep, I’d find myself in a 24-hour gym lifting weights. I wasn’t chasing a better body. I was fighting for my peace, my healing and, in many ways, my survival. That’s when I realised movement could save you in ways that have nothing to do with appearance,” she says

Evidently, her confidence, resilience and mindset have largely been shaped by sport and movement. Zinhle shares that every sport she’s committed to has shaped the woman she is. “Bodybuilding taught me discipline, consistency and that results come from showing up even when you don’t feel like it. Triathlon has taught me endurance, how to stay calm when things get uncomfortable, and how to keep moving forward even when every part of you wants to stop.” Those lessons don’t stay on the racecourse or in the gym. “I carry them into every boardroom, every brand partnership, my studies, my career and my relationships. Sport has given me a mindset that reminds me I can do hard things, and that’s one of the greatest gifts it’s ever given me.” A demanding schedule often means added pressure, so how does Zinhle prioritise movement and self-care in a way that feels sustainable rather than overwhelming? “I live by the saying, “If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.” I don’t wait to find time for myself. I make it a priority. There are seasons where work, content creation and my career demand more from me, but I’ve learned that I can’t pour from an empty cup. For so much of my life, I put everyone else’s needs before my own – partners, family, friends and work,” she says. She learned that choosing yourself isn’t selfish, it’s necessary. “I structure my days around what I need first because when I’m mentally, physically and emotionally well, I’m able to show up as the best version of myself for everyone else.

Zinhle shares that movement has been the one constant in every season of her life

As she navigates the highs and lows of modern womanhood, Zinhle reiterates that movement has been the one constant in every season of her life. “It’s been there during my biggest wins and my darkest moments. When life feels overwhelming, exercise grounds me. It gives me clarity, reminds me of what my body is capable of and helps me process emotions that words sometimes can’t.” Noting that women are expected to be everything to everyone, she says, “Movement is the one place where I get to come back to myself. It’s not about burning calories anymore. It’s about protecting my peace, honouring my body and reminding myself that I can overcome hard things, both inside and outside the gym.”

Movement can often feel intimidating for women looking in from the outside, particularly for those who don’t see themselves as “athletes”. What would she say to encourage them to take that first step? “I’d tell them that athletes aren’t born, they’re built. The difference between an enthusiast and an athlete isn’t talent; it’s commitment. I’ve won bodybuilding titles and stood on the top step of the podium in my debut triathlon, not because I was the most naturally gifted person in the field, but because I was willing to put in the work when no one was watching.” She believes that hard work has always been her superpower. “Talent might open the door, but discipline, consistency and an unshakeable mindset are what keep you in the room. You don’t have to see yourself as an athlete today. You simply have to be willing to show up tomorrow and then the day after that. Every small step builds confidence, and before you know it, you’ll realise you’re capable of far more than you ever imagined.”

Sporting Under Armour gear, her continued partnership with the brand looks and feels like a natural fit. Letting us in on the backstory behind the collaboration, she shares that Under Armour has always been her first love. “Anyone who’s followed my journey from the beginning knows that. Back in 2016, when I decided to turn my passion for fitness into a career, I met with someone helping me with PR. In the middle of the conversation, he simply said, “Zee, I see you with Under Armour.” At the time, it sounded like a passing comment, but something about it stayed with me. I became delusional enough to believe it before there was any evidence that it could happen.” Not long afterwards, she was invited to shoot a Human Rights Day campaign where the prize was Under Armour gear. “I remember treating that shoot like I was already an Under Armour ambassador. A few weeks later, I was signed to the brand, and we built an incredible relationship over the years.” When that chapter came to an end, however, she admits that she felt the absence. “Every time I walked past an Under Armour store or saw one of their campaigns, I’d feel something. It never felt like just another brand to me. So when they reached out to rekindle our partnership in late 2025, it felt like coming home.” She explains that the alignment of values is what makes this relationship so special. “Under Armour exists to inspire people to be better than they were yesterday, and that’s exactly what I’ve dedicated my platform to. Every piece of content I create is about reminding someone that they are capable of more than they think. That’s why this partnership has never felt transactional. It feels like a purpose meeting purpose,” she says.