For Shayen Capaima, fitness is not just a profession. It is a deeply personal calling shaped by her own journey of healing and transformation.
As a teenager, this impressive young businesswoman struggled with low self-esteem and body image. Despite appearing strong on the outside, she battled many insecurities that slowly shaped the way she saw herself. What started as a simple desire to lose a few kilograms and “feel good” gradually turned into overtraining and unhealthy restriction. “By Grade 10, my health had deteriorated significantly. I was physically weak and emotionally drained. What I believed would build confidence had instead led me into one of the most difficult seasons of my life,” says Shayen.
But it was in that fragile space that everything began to shift. Instead of continuing down that destructive path, she made the decision to seek help, not only physically, but spiritually. “My church community prayed consistently for my healing, and I began seeking God for restoration myself. During that time, I came across a worn and broken Bible containing Psalms 119. Looking back, that broken Bible felt symbolic, a reminder that even in my most fragile moments, resilience was still present within me. As I read and meditated daily, my mindset slowly began to change. My relationship with food and my body began to heal. Most importantly, my identity shifted from being appearance-driven to purpose-driven.”
Today, she teaches fitness very differently from how she once approached it. “For me, movement is not punishment. It is not control. It is not about shrinking the body. It is about building strength from the inside out, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.” Her company, Mindful-Fit-Ness Club, was born from that redemption story. It is a wellness platform that integrates mindful movement, nutrition education, and community-based initiatives designed to promote sustainable health rather than harmful extremes. Her work focuses on helping people build healthy relationships with movement, confidence in their bodies, and discipline rooted in balance rather than fear. “Starting a business with limited resources was one of my biggest challenges. I had to build everything from the ground up, taking on multiple roles at once—from trainer to administrator, marketer to strategist. My greatest support has come from my husband and close family. But above all, my faith in God has anchored my entrepreneurial journey.”
Being professionally trained in psychology and certified in fitness practice allows her to approach wellness with structure, safety, and emotional intelligence. Their services include holistic, sustainable fitness through strength, Pilates, and mobility classes, supported by wellness consultations and counselling-informed tools. Personalised training, retreats, corporate wellness, and pre- and post-natal sessions offer tailored support that builds physical, emotional, and mental resilience. While most clients are based in Cape Town and nearby areas, the virtual component allows her to work across South Africa and increasingly with international clients. “In the next five years, I envision Mindful-Fit-Ness becoming a globally recognised wellness brand integrating physical fitness, mental well-being, and spiritual alignment through expanded programmes, digital platforms, and community initiatives,” says Shayen, with a sense of confidence and steadfastness that is hard to ignore.
**The company can be reached via its website (https://mindfulfitness.fit) or on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
