It's Chair vs Chair

November 24, 2017 | Campus | Author: Shaun Edmeston and Carel Nolte
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Mr Carel Nolte, chair of our Council, and Mr Shaun Edmeston, chair of our Old Stithian Association, are literally battling it out in our High Performance Centre (HPC) to see who will be the most fit two months. The "winner" of the #ChairvChair challenge will be decided at an event on 1 December 2017 at the Higher Ground restaurant.

The two alumni have been hard at work in the HPC and surrounds doing squats, running, and putting their bodies through some tough routines to ensure they are fit enough to take part in the challenge next Friday.

Below, in their own words, they write about their journey so far and why they undertaken this challenge.

Shaun Edmeston, Chair of the OSA

The #ChairvChair challenge was one of those ideas that just made sense to me for a few reasons: we have an amazing high performance centre which we need to use; there are amazing members of staff that can get you in shape; and if, through this process, we can raise some money for a cause on campus, then why wouldn’t we do it. Carel and I have been, and are, great friends who believe in our school and we would literally put our bodies on the line for the school. The team at the HPC have put together some amazing training schedules for us as well as an unreal set of challenges.

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Shaun Edmeston working out in the High Performance Centre

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Charl Kaschula is training Shaun Edmeston for the #ChairvChair challenge

The training has been hard, the eating program very doable, and I have lost nearly 9kgs since starting in September. I know I am up against it competing, fitness-wise, against a comrades runner but you never know what will happen on the day.

So, on the 1st of December it is all taking place and we are inviting people to join us at the Higher Ground restaurant to welcome in the festive season, see how the two of us fare in this little challenge, and basically raise some money for a good cause on our beautiful campus. There will be food trucks on the day and some entertainment. So, come down and welcome in the end of the year with us.

If you would like to offer your support by donating even R100 to the cause or by supporting one of us, you can get in touch with me for more details at shaun@youcalled.co.za. All the money raised will be put towards a cause on campus, chosen by Carel and I. Our goal is R100k and we already have nearly half of that, so help us get the rest of the way and be part of our project. All donors will be given serious recognition.

Carel Nolte, Chair of Council

I am doing this because I was challenged by a fellow alumnus, and our OSA chair. So, it is fun. I take what I do very seriously, not myself. So, as the older, fatter, weaker person going into the challenge, I needed a sense of humour!
This is a great opportunity to promote the High Performance Centre: showcasing one part of #SaintsExcellence. We have amazing people doing amazing things on our amazing campus, and our community doesn't always know about it. Anyone from Saints can join the HPC and it is conveninetly located. I love training there as the facility is top notch, the staff are superb (Robin van Ginkel, like many others there, has multiple Springbok colours) and some of South Africa's top athletes train there.

A healthy body and a healthy mind go hand-in-hand; anyone can and should train. No matter your fitness level or time constraints make time for your body – it's the only one you have!

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Carel Nolte working out in the High Performance Centre with his trainer Robin van Ginkel

People can back me by donating to Thandulwazi. The best way is to pledge R100 a month and set up a debit order. Click here for all the information you need on giving to Thandulwazi. If everyone in our community did this, it would be fantastic.

So many people give so much already and they deserve thanks: Robin has been superb. He is a busy staff member, husband, and father but he has been very dedcated to me and I appreciate it.
I've learnt a lot doing this challenge so whether I "win" or "lose", it's been fun.

Below are a few photos of the facilities at the High Performance Centre.