Meet Wené & Andrew: From “This Might End Us” to 100kg Deadlifts
If you’ve trained at False Bay Fitness for a while, you’ve definitely seen Wené and Andrew putting in the work. Recently engaged (congrats again, you two!), these two have become part of the fabric of the gym and their journey is one worth sharing.
Nervous Beginners to Fully Hooked
Wené and Andrew first heard about False Bay Fitness through close friends, Miles and Anne who had apparently been encouraging them to join for a long time.
But there was one small problem:
They were both convinced they were too unfit to start.
“We felt too unfit to join,” they admit. “We thought the workouts might completely wipe us out.”
But they eventually decided to take the leap and they’re incredibly grateful they did.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
A Little About Them
Wené grew up in Caledon and is currently in her final year studying Audiology at UCT (fourth year and nearly there). Her journey with fitness is deeply personal.
When she was younger, she went through a difficult season where her body would almost shut down - extreme fatigue, withdrawal and feeling disconnected for weeks at a time. After many attempts to find answers, her family worked with a holistic practitioner who helped her explore the impact of early experiences and emotional safety on her wellbeing.
One of her biggest breakthroughs? Learning how to create a sense of safety and strength within herself.
“Training became a powerful part of that journey,” she shares. “Lifting weights, pushing my limits and seeing progress reminded me that I’m capable of hard things.”
The growth hasn’t just been physical, it’s been emotional and mental too.
Andrew, on the other hand, owns a tree-felling company called Trees By Beans, working in residential areas all around Cape Town. He’s been in the industry for nine years and running his own business for the past three.
Right now, life is busy because wedding planning is officially in full swing! They’re excited for this next chapter and hoping to get married as soon as possible.
What Makes False Bay Fitness Different?
Wené hadn’t had much exposure to structured strength training before, but what stands out to her is the variety and support.
“I love the exposure to different movements and exercises that challenge me. All the coaches genuinely want to see us succeed and are always willing to help.”
Andrew had tried other gyms before but struggled with consistency.
“For some reason, I could never find the motivation to go regularly. The difference here is the environment and the vibe and seeing familiar faces every day.”
Even during open gym sessions, he says coaches are always around, willing to help and share advice.
“It makes training simple and makes me want to come back every time.”
So… Who’s More Competitive?
This one sparked some playful disagreement.
Wené says she doesn’t compete with Andrew mainly because he tends to skip a few numbers when he’s counting reps, which makes it unfair.
Andrew admits he’s probably the more competitive one… but “as a guy, I mostly let Wené win.”
We’ll let you decide.
The Physical Wins
Wené’s proudest achievement? Deadlifting 100kg, up from 60kg when she started.
“That helped me get through the mental block of adding more weight and not being intimidated by a loaded barbell.”
Andrew has lost just over 20kg since joining, which is seriously impressive, but for him the bigger win is consistency.
“I’ve formed a habit I don’t think I’ll ever lose.”
He jokes that he can’t stand being away from the gym now even when it’s for a holiday.
The Changes Beyond the Barbell
For Wené, the biggest shift has been mental strength.
“It’s helped me realise I can do hard things and push through difficult times.”
Andrew says he has more energy for his business, more flexibility than he ever expected and feels fitter all round.
And together? Training has become quality time.
They often train side by side and no matter how hectic the session is, they always get in the car afterwards and say:
“Sjoe, we’re happy we did that.”
Why They Keep Coming Back
The friendships.
“The socials and the friends we’ve made,” says Wené. “It’s a super fun environment but with great structure.”
Andrew adds that he’s made friends who’ve become family and continues to learn more about himself through the challenge of training.
Balancing Life, Work & Gym
Fortunately, both have flexible schedules. Andrew runs his own business and Wené is studying which makes fitting in the gym easier.
But more than that, they simply see it as something they enjoy.
“It’s easier to prioritise because we know it makes us feel good.”
For Wené, the gym is a constant.
“No matter how crazy my day is, I know I can go to the gym and feel grounded afterwards.”
Looking Ahead
Their biggest goal right now? Getting married and building a long, healthy life together.
In the gym, it’s simple: just keep pitching up.
Outside the gym, Wené has a personal goal of starting pottery (she has all the equipment, just not the skill yet). Andrew casually mentioned that one day he plans to take over a few of Morne’s PBs on the board… whether Morne knows it or not.
We’ll be watching that space!
A Few Fun Facts
Wené bakes at least two sourdough loaves a week, it’s basically a household staple.
They braai at least once a week.
And yes, the competitive streak is very real.
Wené and Andrew remind us that fitness isn’t just about reps and numbers. It’s about resilience, community, consistency and sometimes just getting in the car afterwards and saying, “We’re glad we showed up.”
And that’s exactly what they keep doing.
