‘Nikki Bester’- South African Body Builder athlete

As a brand ambassador for Numzane Clothing, I have been asked to tell my story as a competing bodybuilding athlete.

My name is Domenique Bester, but my family and friends call me Nikki.  I am 56 years old, married with one son who is 28 and also married.  

Although my actual fitness journey began way back in 1989 when I qualified as an aerobics instructor in Johannesburg, Hillbrow, my bodybuilding journey began in 2019 at the ripe old age of 53 years old.

 I was approached by a PT at the gym I trained at in Durban and asked if I would consider entering a show again. “What show and what do you mean again?” was my response!! A bodybuilding show was the answer and she thought that I had competed before. Not a chance had I even considered that as body image had always been one of my biggest challenges and being seen on the stage in an itsy bitsy bikini and high heels, was definitely not how I envisioned myself. I went home that day and told my husband who had competed in his younger days, thinking that he would discourage me, knowing how I saw myself.  He didn’t!! In fact he said to me that considering how much I loved the gym and that I had always wanted to push my body to the extreme, why not give a try? At least train as though I was going to enter and if I got to the competition date and I decided that I didn’t want to enter, or if he thought that I wasn’t in his opinion, ready to stand on stage, he would completely support me. Well what could I say? Thinking that I would take the challenge of getting in shape but pretty much deciding that I probably wouldn’t be ready or confident enough to get up on that stage, I decided to “pretend” that I would be ready and told my coach that I would do just one show.

I started in January of 2019 to prep for my first novice IFBB show on the 27^th March of the same year. I gave it my all even ordering my bikini and shoes etc. and I think it must have been a week or so before the competition that my husband said to me that he knew that he had said he would support my decision if I decided to back out, but that he would be very disappointed, as I had done the work and was ready to stand on stage. I stood in my first novice show with all the support of my awesome family and friends cheering me on and I’m pretty sure that the people at the back of the hall could see my legs shaking I was so petrified. I placed first in open Body Fitness Division, much to my surprise and when I walked off stage my then coach said that I could go out and have a huge burger because Monday morning I would be back on my eating plan and prepping for a show that was to be held in 2 weeks’ time.

This show I would stand against ladies who had entered before so I would be able to see my progress. Needless to say I placed first in that show as well and went on to compete in the KZN IFBB Provincial show where I placed 2^nd and was selected for the KZN squad to compete at Nationals in Joburg, where I placed 3^rd and was selected to compete the following year in Arnold Classic.

Unfortunately, thanks to COVID that dream was not to be, but I continued to train at home all through Covid so that I would be ready if things changed.  They didn’t, however, I continued to train.  It was only in 2021 that we were able to compete again but I then was invited to compete at the IBFF Africa World Cup and was honoured to place 1^st in the Open Figure Division and also where I was selected to represent South Africa in Slovenia at the World Championship in 2022.

In December of 2021, I decided, due to unfortunate circumstances, I made the very difficult decision to part ways with my coach. With hindsight, it was a blessing in disguise because I was introduced to my now coach Warren Germishuizen known as “The Mad Scientist”.  With 5 months to World Champs, he completely transformed my body and this without even meeting in person because he lives in Gauteng and I live in Durban. As a test run and so he could assess my condition 4 weeks out from World Champs and meet me, we entered IBFF Pro Diva in May 2021 which I was again blessed to place first. Slovenia I was awarded BEST OVER 50 athlete in the World. I competed at the beginning of December in my first NPC Jozi Regional on the Friday and on Sunday stood in PRO Qualifier on the Sunday. I placed first in Regional Figure and First in Africa Masters Division. All in all, I took 7 golds, 2 silvers, a 4^th and 2 overall wins. 

My day begins at 4.45am. I leave for the gym by 5.30 wearing my Numzane active wear which, I might add, is comfortable and quick dry. My first training session usually lasts about 3 to 4 hours which includes 45 minutes of cardio.

Eating is a huge part of the sport and food prep is very important. It’s all about timing and ‘clean’ eating and requires a lot of self-discipline. It’s definitely not for everyone but, once mastered, is very rewarding. Between training sessions, when I am running errands and shopping, I am able to wear my Numzaneshirts as they are so sporty and trendy and basically, I’m always ready for the next workout session.

My husband usually partners with me for my first session and he too wears Numzane clothing. Like me he finds the active wear very comfortable and likes the darker colours that the men’s shirts come in. 

I have been very blessed to have achieved so much in such a short time, but it is mostly not without the love and support of my amazing family and friends. Staying focused and being consistent is the key to my success and the fact that I am able to inspire women my age to take the first step, not into competing, because that is not for everyone, but to living a healthy lifestyle, is one of the things that keeps me going.Early morning training sessions and 7 days a week of training, most days twice a day, pushing through exhaustion at times and staying on track when the wheels are about to fall off are all things you will have to endure. It is a hard lonely journey sometimes and especially for women, a sometimes nasty journey. Knowing that your hard work, discipline and passion is noticed and inspires others to achieve their dreams or goals, is just so gratifying. Consistency, passion, discipline and mind-set is the winning formula.