Fitness expert Johno Meintjes and his family have pioneered Johno’s eFitness Faculty (JEFF), which has helped South Africans keep fit throughout the lockdown.
South Africa’s national lockdown has proved a life-changing event for many, and has led thousands of South Africans to seek new and innovative ways to keep fit and healthy. For fitness expert Johno Meintjes, the lockdown brought with it its own anxiety and worry – primarily about his well-being and that of his loved ones.
As the lockdown compelled gyms as well as fitness and health centres to close, the change meant that Johno could no longer operate his own coaching and training enterprise.
Johno, who has trained several of South Africa’s top athletes, adapted his practise to perform online training sessions – but it wasn’t until a congenial family moment, where his daughters interrupted his live stream, that Johno’ next big innovation took off.
“The first sessions were so chaotic. The kids were running around, we didn’t really know what we were doing from a technical point of view and we were still figuring this out” says Johno, who later found that his this new and authentic approach resonated with his audience.
“Prior to lockdown, we used to offer the one-on-one coaching programme as our primary product, with great success, but when Covid-19 hit, we saw the opportunity to help keep South Africans fit and healthy in a supportive and fun way”, adds Johno.