FITNESS and bodybuilding has been a male dominated domain since time immemorial but "Boss Lady" fitness enthusiast Cathy Martin is one of the women who have made a huge impact.
Boss Lady is determined to complement efforts in the fitness and bodybuilding industry in her own special way and help change the landscape in Zimbabwe.
She owns the Fitness and Physiques UK Federation.
It has been running for six years now going into its seventh year but has since added an African arm, the Fitness Physiques Africa.
"I didn't really give this name (Boss Lady) to myself, but it's through all the work that I have done over the years. In 2021 I won an award as a fitness and health entrepreneur of the year in the UK. I was publicised in one of the magazines that recognises black people with African origin who are doing amazing work in the UK that I thought of looking back home and see what I could do," Martin told The Sports Hub.
"I realised that there was a gap in fitness and bodybuilding in Zimbabwe and the gap was really about being inclusive, few women were competing as bodybuilders and it wasn't something that women could really think of.
"Through that I thought to myself as an athlete and as somebody who has already stepped on stage that why shouldn't I go back home and try and inspire others and also help other women to gain confidence."
A woman of many hats, Martin runs a supplement brand called Transform Nutrition as well as gym wear for men and women under the name Body By Cathy.
Of interest is the fact that Martin’s fitness journey began when she transformed herself from a big woman to a body size and shape, which is an envy of many through her determination and hard work in the gym.
"I started my journey with weight loss, I was struggling with my weight. I used to be a UK size 24 and I managed to work my weight through over the years and came down to size eight," she said.
"During that period I became interested in fitness and bodybuilding. While I was going through my journey, I competed in the London Marathon in 2016 and completed in the 46km marathon within four hours. However, I felt that something was missing so I then engaged in fitness and bodybuilding.
“In 2017, I competed in the e-transformation class and I came second. It's something that I wasn't really hoping that I could actually do when I took this opportunity to step on stage for the very first time."
Her struggle with weight loss inspired her to venture into the fitness industry to assist women who have gone through a similar journey.
She hosted her maiden Fitness Physiques Africa contest at Avondale's Arts in Harare last December.
"It was a very successful event. I was quite surprised with the welcome and everything else. But what made me stand out was the fact that I came in as a woman who's involved in fitness and bodybuilding.
"My plan and what I have been doing over the years remains centered on being able to give young people an opportunity to have something to look forward to," she said.
Martin sponsors all her shows and this time intends to help tackle the scourge of drug and substance abuse that is rampant within the local youths.
"For me it's something that is really close to my heart, it's not only about running fitness and bodybuilding organisation. I also run a non-profitable organisation that helps quite a lot of young people.
"Our motto is: say yes to fitness and no to drugs, and that has been something that we have been doing since I started running these events in Zimbabwe and I have a very large team that I'm collaborating with," Boss Lady said.