Award-winning fitness influencer and bodybuilding champion Zinhle Mahlangu is only just getting started. At the forefront of her journey is her enduring partnership with Under Armour, a collaboration that has grown alongside her career. Now continuing her relationship with the brand as a women’s ambassador, the alignment feels both intentional and deeply personal, rooted in shared values of performance, resilience and continuous evolution.
Born and bred in Daveyton, east of Johannesburg, Zinhle’s path to success was carved within the four walls of her home. “I have always been athletic and my dad was a marathon runner who represented SA. He has so many trophies and medals. So I can confidently say that shaped me.”
Clearly destined for excellence and wired to thrive, she describes herself as ambitious, independent and deeply committed to living fully. “I love challenges, I love evolving, and I’m drawn to experiences that push me, inspire me, or make for a great story later.” Her life, she explains, has been defined by reinvention. “From pushing my limits in fitness (bodybuilding to endurance sports), to rebuilding myself through seasons that required resilience, to stepping into spaces I once only dreamed about like being on the cover of Glamour.”
Reflecting on the lessons along the way, Zinhle shares, “I’ve learned how to be both disciplined and soft, how to chase big goals while still romanticising the small things like a sunrise ride, a beautifully plated meal, a moment of stillness after a busy week. I’m someone who believes growth is a lifestyle. I’ll show up for the hard things, laugh through the chaos, and somehow always find meaning (or at least a good story) in the journey.”
With over 150k followers on Instagram and a bio that includes being a three-time award-winning fitness personality, her digital presence reflects influence but it also hints at the long hours and unseen sacrifices away from the public gaze. There is far more to Zinhle than meets the eye.
“One part of my story people often don’t fully see is that beyond the content and online presence, I have a full-time corporate career,” she reveals. “Social media can create the impression that this is all I do, but in reality, I’m balancing a demanding professional life alongside everything I share publicly.” She also acknowledges the unspoken expectation that creators should produce content at the pace of full-time influencers, without audiences always realising there is another world behind the scenes. “And as I’ve grown, I’ve become more intentional about privacy. Not everything meaningful needs to be public, and I’ve learned to protect certain parts of my life while still showing up authentically.”
In awe of the confident woman who continues to push boundaries and occupy space unapologetically, I’m curious about the experiences that shaped her. “One of the most defining experiences in my life was surviving a physically abusive relationship at a very young age. At 21, lobola had been paid for me, and I had just given birth to my beautiful son. What should have been a joyful chapter became one of the most challenging seasons of my life. That experience reshaped me completely.”
Looking back, she says the period tested her strength, identity and sense of self-worth. Fitness became her lifeline, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. “It gave me structure, purpose, and a way to rebuild myself from the inside out. There was a time when I had no stable home and ended up living in the basement of a gym.” As painful as that season was, it instilled resilience, humility and an unshakable belief in her ability to rise. “Those experiences didn’t just influence me, instead they forged the woman I am today: strong, self-aware, compassionate, and deeply committed to growth.”
What unfolds in our conversation is a portrait of a woman who understands that strength is layered. It is muscle and mindset. It is softness without shrinking. It is discipline paired with grace. And above all, it is the quiet confidence of someone who no longer asks for permission to belong.
Glamour: What moment in your life taught you that success doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s version?
Zinhle: One of the moments that really reshaped my understanding of success was receiving my first industry award after being in the space for nearly a decade.What made it significant wasn’t just the award itself, but the realisation that long before that recognition, I had already achieved milestones and dreams I had set for myself. I had built a career, transformed my life through fitness, influenced people, and created opportunities that once felt distant. That experience taught me that success isn’t always defined by public validation or timelines. Sometimes you’re already successful in ways that aren’t being formally acknowledged yet. It shifted my perspective and I stopped measuring my journey against external markers and started valuing the quiet wins, the personal goals, and the growth that happens long before applause.
Glamour: When did you stop asking for permission to take up space, and what did that shift unlock for you?
Zinhle: I think that shift happened during a moment that felt both surreal and deeply confronting.
I had been invited to shoot for Woolworths alongside established runway models , women who, to me, embodied the industry’s definition of ‘perfect.’ I remember walking into the makeup room and instantly feeling out of place. I was noticeably shorter, and surrounded by women and men who looked statuesque and effortless. The thought crept in quietly but powerfully: I don’t belong here.
I stepped out and called my mom in tears. Instead of comforting me in the way I expected, she told me the story of Joseph from the Bible ; the brother who was rejected, outcasted, and underestimated, only to later become the one chosen by God. Then she said something that shifted everything for me: ‘When God places you in certain spaces, it’s because you belong there’.
That moment reframed how I saw myself. I stopped waiting for permission to feel worthy of the rooms I entered. I stopped shrinking internally before anyone else could project doubt onto me.Since then, I’ve carried a deep sense of trust that the opportunities, spaces, and platforms that come into my life are not accidental. That shift unlocked confidence, self-assurance, and the freedom to take up space fully, without apology.
Glamour: How has your understanding of strength evolved beyond the physical?
Zinhle: My understanding of strength has changed profoundly over the years. Earlier in my life, strength was something I associated almost entirely with the physical, pushing my body, building muscle, enduring intense training, and proving resilience through discipline. But life has a way of redefining things. I’ve come to realise that physical strength is only one dimension. True strength, for me, became emotional, mental, and deeply internal. It’s the strength it took to leave situations that were breaking me. The strength to rebuild when life felt uncertain. The strength to keep going when there was no applause, no guarantees, just faith and determination.Strength now looks like boundaries, self-trust, vulnerability, and the courage to evolve. It’s no longer about how much I can lift but it’s about how deeply I can endure, adapt, and remain grounded through change.
Glamour: What does showing up fully look like for you when no one is watching?
Zinhle: Showing up fully for me, especially when no one is watching, looks a lot quieter than people might expect. It’s in the discipline of my routines, the promises I keep to myself, and the standards I hold even without an audience. It’s choosing to train when motivation isn’t loud. It’s taking care of my mind and body in ways that aren’t always shared online. It’s doing the work, staying consistent, and honouring the life I’m building behind the scenes. It also means allowing myself to rest, to be human, to step away from performance. Because showing up fully isn’t just about productivity ,it’s about alignment, integrity, and self-respect. Who I am in private is very much who I strive to be in public: intentional, disciplined, and grounded.
Glamour: What does being unapologetic by design mean in the way you live, move, and lead?
Zinhle: It reflects how I’ve grown into myself over the years. It’s about living in alignment with who I am, rather than who the world expects me to be.I’ve evolved through many seasons (physically, mentally, emotionally) and I’ve learned to embrace my body at different stages of my life. There were times defined by performance, aesthetics, and external standards, and now there’s a deeper appreciation rooted in strength, functionality, and self-acceptance. Moving unapologetically means owning my journey, my pace, my changes. It means understanding that evolution is not inconsistency, it's actually growth.
Glamour: What makes this chapter even more meaningful?
Zinhle: What makes this chapter even more meaningful is continuing my story with Under Armour. Five years ago, that partnership represented ambition and training what is under the “armour”. Today, it represents something richer and deeper like alignment, authenticity, and the freedom to show up exactly as I am.It’s not just about apparel or campaigns. It’s about a brand that understands that strength has layers, that confidence evolves, and that my story didn’t stop, it simply deepened.
Glamour: Where in your life have you learned to soften without shrinking?
Zinhle: I’ve learned to soften in the way I relate to myself and to others, particularly in relationships. Earlier in my life, strength often looked like armour; being guarded, hyper-independent, and feeling like I always had to hold everything together. But growth taught me that softness is not weakness. It’s presence. It’s emotional openness. It’s allowing myself to be vulnerable without feeling like I’m losing power. In relationships especially, I’ve had to learn the balance between maintaining my independence and allowing myself to receive, to trust, and to be supported. Softening meant lowering unnecessary defences, communicating with honesty, and no longer equating gentleness with fragility. It also showed up in how I treat myself.Now I am giving myself grace, rest, and compassion instead of constantly operating in survival or performance mode. For me, softening without shrinking means staying fully expressed, fully grounded, and fully myself but just with more ease, self-awareness, and emotional depth.
Glamour: What part of yourself was once questioned that you now recognise as your power?
Zinhle: One part of myself that was once questioned by me was my smile. Lol! I remember at a beauty pageant in primary school being asked what I would change about myself, and without hesitation, I said my smile. For reasons I can’t fully explain now, I didn’t like it. It felt like something I was self-conscious about rather than proud of. Over the years, that changed completely. Today, my smile has become one of my most recognisable trademarks and genuinely my favourite feature about myself. It’s really funny how growth works, the very thing I once wanted to hide became something that represents my confidence, my warmth, and my presence. That shift reflects a larger journey of self-acceptance. Learning that sometimes our greatest power lies in the parts of ourselves we once misunderstood.
Glamour: What drew you to Under Armour beyond performance and product?
Zinhle: It was alignment. From the beginning, the brand resonated with my story, not just as an athlete or creator, but as a woman whose journey has been built on resilience, discipline, and reinvention. Under Armour has always represented more than apparel to me; it represents mindset, strength, and pushing beyond perceived limits. What makes this relationship particularly meaningful is that it isn’t new, it’s a continuation. Five years ago, the partnership symbolised ambition, momentum, and hunger. Today, it reflects evolution, self-assurance, and authenticity. There’s something powerful about a brand that grows with you, that understands your journey isn’t static. My connection to Under Armour is rooted in shared values ,performance, yes, but also courage, identity, and the confidence to show up unapologetically.
Glamour: How does movement function as a form of self-expression in your everyday life?
Zinhle: Movement, for me, is far more than physical activity , it’s a language. It’s how I process, how I reset, how I reconnect with myself. Whether it’s training, running, cycling, or simply being active, movement becomes an expression of my state of mind, my discipline, and sometimes even my emotions. There are days when movement is power, pushing limits, challenging my body, feeling strong and unstoppable. And there are days when it’s therapy ,softer, grounding, a way to clear my thoughts and regulate my energy. It's also deeply tied to identity. My body, my strength, my endurance, they tell a story of resilience, growth, and self-mastery. Movement allows me to inhabit that story fully rather than just speak about it. In my everyday life, movement is not just something I do, it’s how I express who I am.
Glamour: What does strength look like to you in moments of stillness or rest?
Zinhle: Strength in moments of stillness looks very different to me now. Funny enough, you mention the word stillness. During a period when I was undergoing therapy, ‘stillness’ actually became my safety word. It symbolised grounding, regulation, and the reminder that I didn’t always have to operate in survival mode. Earlier in my life, I associated strength with constant motion like pushing, performing, always striving. Rest often felt uncomfortable, sometimes even undeserved. But that chapter of healing reshaped my perspective. I learned that stillness is not weakness or stagnation; it’s awareness. It’s recovery. It’s emotional and mental recalibration. There’s a quiet strength in pausing, in listening to your body, in allowing yourself to reset without guilt. Today, I see rest not as stepping away from strength, but as embodying it. It’s where balance is restored, clarity returns, and sustainability is built.
Glamour: How does Under Armour support the way you train, live, and move through the world?
Zinhle: Under Armour supports me in a way that feels both practical and personal. From a training perspective, performance and comfort are non-negotiable. I move through different disciplines , strength training, running, cycling, golf and I need apparel that adapts with me, supports my body, and allows me to focus entirely on the work rather than what I’m wearing. But beyond training, the brand fits seamlessly into how I live. My days are multifaceted and dynamic, and I love that Under Armour pieces transition effortlessly between movement, work, and everyday life. There’s a sense of confidence that comes from feeling both strong and comfortable in your own skin. What resonates most is that the brand aligns with my mindset , resilience, discipline, and continuous evolution. It doesn’t just support how I perform, but how I show up. It feels less like something I wear and more like something that moves with me.
Glamour: What values do you share with Under Armour that make this partnership feel authentic?
Zinhle: Authenticity and evolution are the values that make this partnership feel natural to me. Authenticity, because I’ve always believed in showing up as I am, a real, growing, evolving human being. My journey has had many chapters, and I’ve never wanted to pretend otherwise. Evolution, because I’m constantly changing. As a woman, as an athlete, as a professional, as a person. I’m not the same version of myself I was five years ago, and I actually take pride in that. Growth is a big part of my identity. What makes Under Armour feel aligned with me is that the brand also embraces progression. It’s about performance, yes, but also about pushing forward, adapting, and redefining strength over time. It doesn’t feel forced or transactional but more like a shared mindset.
Glamour: How does the brand’s focus on performance and purpose reflect your own mindset?
Zinhle: I was actually just having this conversation with my best friend recently. I told her I felt like I’d fallen off the wagon a bit LOL, not in a dramatic sense, but in the way life sometimes pulls you in many directions. Reconnecting with Under Armour came at an interesting time for me. It naturally triggered a mindset shift, a reminder of the standards I hold for myself, the discipline I’m known for, and the version of me I feel most aligned with. The brand’s focus on performance and purpose mirrors how I approach my life. It’s not just about looking the part, but about embodying it and showing up fully, intentionally, and unapologetically. That rekindled partnership became more than a collaboration; it became a quiet reset. A reminder that growth isn’t about perfection, but about recalibrating and stepping back into your rhythm.
Glamour: In what ways does Under Armour give women permission to define strength on their own terms?
Zinhle: I think Under Armour helps women realise that strength doesn’t have to look one specific way. So often we grow up with these ideas of what ‘strong’ should be, how a woman should look, move, or even behave. But strength is actually very personal. It changes as we change. What I appreciate about the brand is that it embraces different expressions of strength. Whether you feel powerful, soft, fierce, rebuilding, confident, or still figuring things out, there’s room for all of that. It doesn’t feel like it’s telling women who to be. It feels like it’s supporting who they already are, and who they’re becoming. And that, to me, is real
Glamour: How do you see women defining success on their own terms today?
Zinhle: I love seeing how women are redefining success in ways that feel authentic to them. In the fitness space especially, there’s been such a beautiful shift. Women are showing up more unapologetically and embracing strength, muscle, power, and presence without feeling the need to shrink themselves to fit a trend. Years ago, when I was encouraging women to lift heavier and take up space, the look that’s now playfully called the ‘muscle mummy’ aesthetic wasn’t exactly celebrated or fashionable. It wasn’t trendy to be visibly strong. So it’s incredibly rewarding to see that evolution. To see women confidently flexing their muscles , literally and figuratively ,and owning their bodies with pride. Success today feels less about fitting into a mould and more about self-definition. And honestly, I love seeing the girls flex. It makes me smile.
Glamour: What do you think women are actively unlearning about confidence, power, or beauty right now?
Zinhle: I think many women are actively unlearning the idea that confidence, power, and beauty have to fit into a predefined mould. For a long time, we were taught ,directly or subtly, that there was a ‘right’ way to be confident, a ‘right’ way to be powerful, a ‘right’ way to be beautiful. And so much of that was tied to comparison and external validation.What I’m seeing now is women stepping away from that. There’s a growing shift toward simply being and showing up more raw, more unfiltered, more honest. Not constantly editing themselves to meet societal expectations.Confidence is becoming less about perfection and more about authenticity. Power is looking less like performance and more like self-assurance. Beauty is expanding beyond narrow standards.And I think that unlearning is incredibly liberating.
Glamour: How do you hope women feel about themselves after engaging with your story?
Zinhle: I hope women walk away from my story feeling empowered, seen, and reminded of their own agency. If there’s one thing I’d want them to take from my journey, it’s that change is not failure but an evolution. Just because something didn’t work out, whether it’s a relationship, a career path, or a version of yourself, doesn’t mean it’s the end. Sometimes it’s redirection. I hope my story gives someone the courage to leave situations that are harming them, whether that’s physical, emotional, or even financial abuse. To understand that choosing yourself is not selfish, it’s necessary.I want women to know they don’t have to limit themselves. You can pursue multiple dreams. You can reinvent yourself. You can be a parent and still prioritise your growth, your joy, your ambitions. Being a good mother and chasing your goals are not mutually exclusive.And most importantly, it’s never too late. To begin again, to rebuild, to redefine your life on your own terms.What is meant for you, what truly aligns with you, has a way of finding its way back
Glamour: What does it mean to take up space comfortably rather than performatively?
Zinhle: To take up space comfortably means showing up as you are, without feeling the need to prove, exaggerate, or perform for acceptance. Earlier in life, taking up space can sometimes come from a place of defence or trying to be louder, tougher, or more visible to justify your presence. But comfort is different. It’s grounded. It’s a quiet confidence. I remember being in the fitting room at the Under Armour Sandton store and seeing a quote by Trent Alexander-Arnold that read, ‘Focus on yourself and not who you’re up against.’ That message resonated deeply with me because a comfortable presence is exactly that ,self-focused, not comparison-driven. For me, it means no longer questioning whether I belong in certain rooms, conversations, or opportunities. It’s being fully present without overcompensating or shrinking.There’s a difference between occupying space and embodying it. Performative presence seeks validation. Comfortable presence comes from self-assurance.It’s the ease of knowing: I don’t need to announce my worth, I carry it naturally.
Glamour: How do you remain grounded in who you are while being highly visible?
Zinhle: Staying grounded while being highly visible has been a conscious practice for me. Visibility can be beautiful, but it can also be noisy. There are opinions, projections, expectations and if you’re not careful, you can start measuring yourself through the lens of others rather than your own truth. For me, grounding comes from my real life ; my routines, my work, my close relationships, my role as a mother. Those are the spaces that remind me who I am beyond social media, beyond perception, beyond performance.I’ve also learned the importance of boundaries. Not everything needs to be shared, explained, or consumed. Protecting parts of my life has been essential in protecting my sense of self.Ultimately, it’s about staying connected to my values, my discipline, and my inner world. Visibility is something I experience but it’s not who I am.
Glamour: What responsibility, if any, do you feel when your story is seen by other women?
Zinhle: I do feel a sense of responsibility, but not in a pressured or performative way. I’m aware that when women engage with my story, they’re not just seeing highlights, they’re connecting with experiences of resilience, rebuilding, growth, and evolution. That carries weight. For me, the responsibility lies in honesty. In being real about the journey, not presenting strength as perfection, but as something shaped through challenges, setbacks, and reinvention. I also feel a responsibility to reflect possibility. To show that there isn’t one timeline, one definition of success, or one way to navigate life as a woman. You can rebuild. You can change. You can start again.But I don’t believe in positioning myself as someone who has all the answers. I’m simply sharing my lived experience, hoping it resonates, empowers, or reminds someone of their own strength.If my story helps even one woman see herself differently, that’s meaningful to me.
Glamour: What kind of strength do you hope women feel permission to claim through this campaign?
Zinhle: I hope women feel permission to claim a strength that is entirely their own, not defined by aesthetics, performance, or external approval. The kind of strength I hope this campaign unlocks is multidimensional. The strength to take up space without apology. The strength to evolve without guilt. The strength to be powerful and soft, disciplined and vulnerable, ambitious and at peace. At its core, this is what being unapologetic by design means to me. It means owning every version of yourself with confidence and self-trust.
I want women to recognise that strength isn’t only found in endurance or achievement, but also in healing, in boundaries, in starting over, in choosing themselves. There is strength in leaving situations that diminish you. Strength in rebuilding your life quietly. Strength in embracing change even when it’s uncomfortable. Strength in honouring your body through different seasons. Most importantly, I hope women feel empowered to release the pressure of performing strength and instead embody it authentically, unapologetically, and on their own terms.Because real strength is not a look. It’s a relationship with yourself.
Glamour: Please speak directly to a woman who is holding back. What's your message?
Zinhle: To the woman who feels like she’s holding back… I see you.I know what it feels like to sit in a space where everything is uncertain, where fear, doubt, and exhaustion feel louder than hope. There was a time in my life when I didn’t know what my future would look like. I went from living in my car and sleeping in the basement of a gym, carrying not just physical fatigue, but emotional weight. It was humbling. It was painful. And at times, it felt incredibly lonely. But that season did not define me, it actually rebuilt me. In the smallest, quietest ways, I kept going. I chose to believe, even when nothing around me looked convincing. Step by step, I moved from survival to stability… from instability to buying my own home.
So if you’re holding back because you’re scared, because you feel behind, because life has shaken your confidence, please hear this: your life can change. Your story is not over. What feels like an ending may actually be the beginning of something you cannot yet imagine.Be brave enough to start, even if your voice trembles. Be patient enough to rebuild, even when progress feels slow.There is a version of you waiting, stronger, wiser, softer, and deeply proud that you didn’t give up.
Glamour: What sort of conversations are you hoping will emanate from this collab?
Zinhle: I hope this collaboration sparks conversations that go far beyond fitness or aesthetics. I’d love to see women talking more openly about identity, self-worth, and the many layers of strength. Conversations about embracing evolution instead of fearing it. About understanding that strength can look like power, softness, healing, boundaries, resilience and sometimes all at once. I hope it encourages dialogue around body image too. Moving away from rigid standards and toward appreciation for what our bodies can do, how they carry us through different seasons of life. And honestly, I hope it opens up conversations about courage , the courage to start over, to rebuild, to take up space, to choose yourself unapologetically. If this collab helps shift even a small part of how women see themselves or speak about their journeys, that would be incredibly meaningful to me.
Glamour: What can we look forward to as you continue to occupy space unapologetically?
Zinhle: More movement, more evolution, and definitely new challenges. You can look forward to seeing me push myself into new arenas — HYROX, cycling races, triathlon races, and expanding my relationship with endurance sports. I’m always drawn to spaces that challenge me mentally and physically. And… golf I’ve recently been flirting with the idea of stepping onto the golf course. Partly for the experience, partly for the discipline of learning something completely new but also, if I’m being honest, have you seen the Under Armour golf threads? They’re incredible.More than anything, this next chapter is about exploration. Continuing to take up space in ways that feel exciting, aligned, and unapologetically me.
Glamour: Your message for the month of love?
Zinhle: My message for the month of love is simple: stay open to love in all its forms. Romantic love, yes, but also self-love, growth, healing, and the kind of love that begins with how you speak to and care for yourself. I think we often associate this season with external relationships, but one of the most powerful shifts can be turning that energy inward. Showing yourself grace. Choosing yourself. Love yourself and the life you’re creating, the person you’re becoming, the standards you’re setting. And at the same time, allowing yourself to remain open to new love. Not from a place of lack, but from wholeness. From curiosity. From the belief that love doesn’t have to be forced or rushed, it can arrive naturally when you’re aligned and receptive. Love, in every sense, starts with you :)
Recent stories by:
Thobeka Phanyeko
These yoga poses can ease the symptoms of menopause
This is how you can start investing in your beauty routine to ensure affordable ageing
Women in Charge: Meet Nokuthula Mgwebile, Founder of Interactive Wellness Tool, AskThuli AI
Read yourself better with these wellness books
SA Shows Steal the Spotlight as SAFTAs Announce 19th Annual Nominees
GLAMOUR Recommends
Read yourself better with these wellness books
SA Shows Steal the Spotlight as SAFTAs Announce 19th Annual Nominees
Wellness Wednesday: Do you suffer from insomnia? This is what you need to know
South African women shine on Forbes Africa over 30 under 50 list
Filmmaker, Traveler & Tastemaker, Marcia Kimpton on living glamorously, jet-setting, and her love for SA
GLAMOUR's Features Editor's Top Picks: Level up with these transformative personal development books
Motivation Monday: Tune in to these inspiring podcasts to start your week strong
Women in Charge: Chief Marketing Officer at Metropolitan, Lindiwe Gumede on Leading with Purpose, Heart and Impact
