Meet Ethel: 6am regular, MC, and the glue holding her family together

Strong Isn't Just How We Look. It's How We Live.

Meet Ethel Makovah, 6am regular, Partnerships Manager, professional MC, podcast host, and the backbone of her family. Ethel's mornings start with an alarm she still negotiates with, but by the time she's finished a class at False Bay Fitness, she's ready for whatever her day throws at her. We sat down with her to talk about the lesson that changed how she trains, the women who inspire her, and why she believes strength is about more than how you look.

A day in the life

My alarm goes off at 5am, and if I'm being honest, I question my life choices for a few minutes before heading to the 6am class at False Bay Fitness. By the time training is over, I'm home for a quick shower, then it's off to the office in the city centre.

I currently work at Innovation City, a tech hub and community, as the Partnerships Manager, which means no two days are ever the same. My work revolves around building relationships with founders, investors, corporates and entrepreneurs, securing partnerships, creating opportunities, and bringing people together through events. I spend a lot of time networking, hosting, connecting people and helping grow South Africa's innovation ecosystem. Some days I'm in back-to-back meetings, and others I'm on stage with a microphone in my hand as an MC. Many evenings are spent at networking events, launches or panel discussions.

Outside of work, I'm also the guardian of my family. Not a mom in the traditional sense, but I often describe myself as one. My mom suffered a stress-induced stroke 11 years ago at just 46 years old, leaving her paralysed on one side with impaired speech. Since then, my younger sister Elsie and I have become her caregivers while building our own careers and lives.

Life is wonderfully full. Between home, work, family, speaking engagements, church, friendships and training, there isn't much downtime - but I genuinely wouldn't have it any other way.

The turning point

My relationship with health changed long before I ever joined a gym.

11 years ago, when I was just 16, my mom suffered a stress-induced stroke. My little sister Elsie, who some at False Bay Fitness will recognise, was only 9 years old at the time. Overnight, everything changed.

Watching your sole provider and caregiver suddenly lose mobility and speech at such a young age changes the way you see health forever, and it forces you to live life intentionally. My mom wasn't unhealthy, she was overwhelmed. She was a single mother carrying the weight of providing for her children while supporting so many other people around her and working like crazy. Eventually, the stress became too much.

Needless to say, the experience has stayed with me every day since.

Needless to say, the experience has stayed with me every day since.

Now, as a young woman living a very busy and intense life, one that's fast-paced and sometimes high-stress between work, home and life. I'm incredibly aware that everything connected to my life should never come at the expense of my health. In the back of my mind, there's always a little voice reminding me to take care of myself, because I've seen firsthand what happens when you don't.

Thankfully, movement has always been part of our lives. Growing up, my sister and I tried almost every sport imaginable - netball, tennis, girls' soccer, hockey, athletics (hurdles, javelin and all), rowing, diving... honestly, if there was a sport, we probably signed up for it, especially if we weren't very good at it! Before moving to Cape Town nearly three years ago, we boxed together for four years, and Elsie is also a qualified swimming instructor.

Fitness isn't something I do because I have to. It's something I choose because I understand how precious good health really is.

What keeps her showing up

I wish I had some incredibly inspiring answer... but honestly? Some mornings I still don't know how I get myself out of bed!

I think what's changed is that motivation has slowly been replaced by discipline.

I've realised that every decision has a cost. On the days I don't show up, that's okay, but I also have to own that decision and accept the consequences, because it came at a cost. That's what discipline means to me.

My biggest motivation, though, lives at home. Every day I see my mom navigate life after her stroke. Something as simple as getting into the car or climbing stairs requires time, planning and assistance. Watching that, and living that as I help her, reminds me that being healthy isn't something I'm entitled to, it's a privilege.

I'm able-bodied today. Tomorrow isn't promised. If I want to give myself the best chance of living a long, healthy life, I need to look after the body I've been given.

That thought gets me to the gym more often than any motivational quote ever could.

Who she's becoming

I'm becoming someone who genuinely believes I can do hard things, or at least harder things.

Of course, I love the physical changes. Watching your body get stronger is exciting. But the biggest transformation has happened in my mindset.

My job involves hearing "no" a lot. Partnerships don't always happen, sponsorships fall through, opportunities disappear. Training has taught me that progress isn't instant, and that showing up consistently will eventually yield results.

It's also given me an unreasonable amount of confidence... to the point where I genuinely believe I could become a bodybuilder one day 😂. I have no idea why I think this is possible, but it's there now!

Being part of an all-female household has also made strength incredibly practical. My sister and I move furniture, carry boxes, make a fire, braai the meat, do the garden, clean the gutters, take out the trash, fix the toilet, change light bulbs, push cars when they refuse to start, and help lift and care for our mom.

Training reminds me that we are totally those girls. No man here (yet), but here we are, slaying. We are fully capable.

Strong isn't just how we look. It's how we live.

Her people

I've been incredibly blessed to have amazing people in my corner; family and friends who are forever speaking greatness into my life.

My biggest inspiration is my mom. Despite everything she's been through, she is still our biggest cheerleader. She celebrates every gym session, indulges us when we fill the cupboards with protein shakes and get rid of the biscuits and milk, lovingly comments if our waistlines are expanding, entertains our friends when they visit, feeds our furry grandkids Nala and Mika (our dog and cat), criticises our fashion when we push the boundaries, and stays up late no matter what - she won't go to bed until Elsie and I are both home. Every year she fights for her life and overcomes death when the doctors give us a scary report, all just so she can be with her girls. Our Tembelina, my nickname for her - is the heart of our home.

My sister Elsie has always believed in me too. She's the person who listens patiently to every excuse, every crazy business idea, every ambitious dream, and then simply tells me, "Do it anyway."

At the gym, Nathalie Romeo has been an absolute game-changer. At 6am, I'm barely awake, yet she's constantly encouraging me to lift heavier, move faster and believe I'm capable of more than I think.

And then there's Tessa Symmonds. We met at False Bay Fitness, but she's become one of my closest friends. She's the ultimate girls' girl. Every woman deserves someone in their corner who makes them feel like they can conquer the world. Around Tessa, I genuinely believe I'm an Olympic athlete... even when I'm very much not. I'm blessed to be surrounded by the best.

The biggest lesson

The biggest lesson I've learned is that almost everything worthwhile takes longer than you think.

Like many people, I came into training hoping certain goals would happen quickly. Some have, and some haven't. There are still things I'm working towards that I thought I'd have achieved by now. But somewhere along the way, I stopped obsessing over the finish line and started enjoying the process.

It's such a cliché, but patience and consistency really are everything. One workout won't change your life, but hundreds of them will.

I've also completely fallen in love with lifting. I've always enjoyed exercise, but strength training has become something different altogether. The more I learn about it, the more fascinated I become. Now I joke that I just want to lift weights for the rest of my life and hopefully keep lifting heavier for many years to come.

What used to be hard

Joining the 7-Week Challenge at False Bay Fitness completely changed my daily habits.

Things that once felt like a chore have become part of my lifestyle. Drinking enough water, reading every day, planning my meals, and being more intentional about when I have a treat or a cheat meal no longer require much thought, they've simply become part of who I am.

The 5am alarm? Well... let's just say we're still trying to become friends.

That said, I'm still praying that one day burpees, handstand push-ups and wall walks will feel "normal." At the moment, those movements still feel like they were invented by someone with a personal vendetta against me!

Where it's made the biggest difference

Without a doubt, my overall quality of life.

Physically, I've loved watching my body get stronger and healthier. There's something incredibly rewarding about seeing your body composition change, not just losing fat, but gaining strength and muscle too. Every small improvement reminds me that consistency works.

Training has also given me one of my closest friendships. I met one of my best friends, Tessa, through False Bay Fitness, and that's become one of the greatest unexpected gifts.

The gym has also given my sister and me another way to spend time together and encourage one another. Honestly, it's become another topic to talk about. We love going on about the new movements we tried at the gym and then trying to replicate them at home.

Advice to her younger self

I'd tell her: "You're going to unlock a really incredible version of yourself that you know is already there, you just haven't met her yet. There are going to be lots of wall walks, burpees and handstand push-ups, and no, you won't be able to do them at first. Actually, you'll probably fail. Quite a lot. But it's going to be good, and you're actually going to love it. So just show up and keep going."

What "being healthy" means now

My definition of health hasn't changed, it's always been the same, but hopefully I'm learning to practise it better.

Being healthy is about making sure my own cup is full physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually before trying to pour into everyone else's.

As someone who helps care for my family, works in a demanding career and naturally loves serving people, I've realised I can't keep giving if I'm constantly running on empty.

Health is what allows me to show up well for the people I love. It's what gives me the energy to pursue my dreams, care for my mom, support my sister, build meaningful relationships, and still have something left to give at the end of the day.

Proud beyond the scale

I've learned to back myself.

For a long time, I thought being humble meant playing small. I would downplay my abilities, shy away from my achievements, and hope opportunities would somehow identify me and my capabilities.

Today, I've realised that confidence and humility can exist together, and that false humility isn't cute for anybody.

I'm proud to say I know what I bring to the table. I know I'm a hard worker. I know I have a strong mind, a resilient spirit and a tender heart. I know I care deeply about people while still getting the job done.

Ethel a year ago, or even six months ago, wouldn't have been brave enough to say those words out loud. Today, I can. And I'm incredibly proud of that growth.

A habit that changed everything

I take creatine every single day, and I take all my vitamins every single day. I'm also on a year-long alcohol sabbatical, which has been amazing, it feels like I've been this person forever.

It's funny how one habit, showing up to train, has had a ripple effect, improving other areas of my life, my general wellbeing, and even my training itself.

Her perfect day

If I'm being completely honest, my perfect day starts with sleeping in maybe until 9 or 10am. That would feel like luxury!

But before I give myself the chance to negotiate with my discipline, I'd still head straight to the gym. I've learned that if I leave training until later, I'll find at least ten convincing reasons to abort the mission.

After a great workout, I'd spend some time running errands for my family, get a little work done, and then enjoy one of my favourite things in the world, a guilt-free afternoon nap.

Later, I'd take our dog for a long walk, come home, spend time reading my Bible and praying, then cook dinner and enjoy a slow evening with my mom and sister. Those quiet moments at home mean more to me than people probably realise.

But the day wouldn't be over. To end it off, I'd either attend or host an event, a big summit or a small gathering. I genuinely love bringing people together, having meaningful conversations and creating spaces where people connect. It's work that fills my cup.

For me, the perfect day isn't about doing something extravagant. It's about finding a rhythm where faith, family, fitness, purpose and community all have a place. When I think about it, that's actually the life I'm working towards.

Something you might not know

Most people at the gym probably know me as the girl fighting for her life during burpees at 6am!

But outside the gym, I love hosting people - dinner, movie nights, tea, parties, you name it. Professionally, that love of hosting carries through too, I'm a professional MC and spend a lot of time on stage hosting conferences and summits.

I love a good conversation, and as a result, I've launched my own podcast called Conversations with E, a platform that shares ordinary people's extraordinary stories.

I'd like to believe I'm a decent connector. If you need something, I might not know it myself, but I know someone who does.

And last but not least, I like to dream big, very big. I've learnt that fitness and dreaming actually have a lot in common. Neither happens overnight. Both require showing up consistently, trusting the process, and believing in a version of yourself that doesn't quite exist yet, but will one day.

Thank you, Ethel, for sharing your story with us. If Ethel's journey resonates with you, come say hi at one of our 6am classes! We'd love to see you there.