Flexing his way to a world title

Balancing a business, a bodybuilder’s schedule and being a world winner is a lot of work, but for Stellenbosch’s Jaco Jonker its all in a day’s work.

In November the 31-year-old travelled to Thailand for the United World Sports & Fitness federation (UWSFF) World Championship where he competed in the Mr Jean Model, Men’s Physique, and won the Overalls Line-Up, earning his UWSFF Pro Card.

“Competing at the UWSFF World Championship in Pattaya, Thailand, was an unforgettable experience. The international standard was extremely high and earning my Pro Card on a world stage was a proud moment – not only personally, but also as a South African athlete,” he says.

Jonker started competing in bodybuilding four years ago. It was the discipline and structure it required to succeed that first drew him to the sport. Now, bodybuilding has become the way he taught himself to have consistency, mental strength, patience and self-belief.

It is also these characteristics he helps his clients of FitNation Academy develop. As founder and owner of the fitness and lifestyle coaching brand, he offers hands-on coaching, personal training and structured guidance for both competitive athletes and individuals working toward a healthier lifestyle. “I am not only a competitor but also the founder and owner of FitNation Academy. At the world championship, I coached and prepped four athletes, all of whom placed in their respective categories, with the youngest being 19 years old and the oldest 33. While competing myself, I coached each athlete throughout the entire process, ensuring they stayed focused, on plan and mentally prepared.”

The Stellenbosch High School alumni says despite the challenges of competing, which includes managing business and bodybuilding, the physical strain, and balancing his own competition goals, his perseverance and passion keeps him going forward. “A common misconception people have is that bodybuilding is only about physical appearance. In reality, it requires mental resilience, discipline, education around health and nutrition, and long-term commitment.”

To qualify for the world championship Jonkers and his fellow team members had to stick to the demands and highly structured way of preparing for the competition. “It includes detailed nutrition planning, intense training schedules, posing practise, recovery management, and constant mental focus. Preparation can take several months and requires complete commitment,” he explains.

The local Shaye Best Classic has become one of Jonker’s favourite competitions. The competition is one of the biggest cash-prize bodybuilding events in the country.

“I have competed at the Shaye Best Classic for three consecutive years, and I plan to compete again next year. At my most recent Shaye Best Classic, I received sponsorship for my flights and accommodation in Pattaya, which made competing at the world championship possible. The Shaye Best Classic also served as the qualifying platform that allowed both myself and my athletes to compete internationally. I would highly recommend the Shaye Best Classic to first-time competitors. It is exceptionally well run and offers an incredible experience while still exposing athletes to a high-level competitive environment.”

Jonker says bodybuilding, when approached correctly, can be a powerful tool for personal growth and he would especially recommend it for younger people.

About his own journey Jonker says he looks forward to growing further as a mentor. “I want to show others what this sport can offer both physically and mentally. I am also focused on expanding the FitNation Academy brand, which will soon branch into broader nutrition- and sport-focused offerings.”