When Suzanne De Jongh enters her Body20 studio in Klerksdorp, the energy in the room changes. She is full of warmth, laughter and purpose – a woman who has not only built a thriving business, but a movement that is changing lives, starting with her own. Suzanne is living proof of what is possible when you decide to rewrite your story and become your own hero.
The key to fulfillment
On paper, Suzanne had it all – a dedicated mother, a loving wife and a successful professional. But beneath the surface, she struggled to find fulfillment and balance in her life.
“On paper, I had everything,” she remembers. “But I was exhausted and quietly unfulfilled. There was always another glass ceiling, another level of politics, and as a woman I felt that clearly.”
Her breaking point came after a difficult divorce – a breakup that leaves you wondering who you are and what comes next. “I realized that I had spent my life putting everyone else first: my colleagues, my family, my marriage. After the divorce, I was forced to look at myself and ask, ‘What do I actually want?’
READ MORE: They’re getting divorced. What happens to the pension fund?
Discover your turning point
The answer came unexpectedly when Suzanne happened upon a Body20 EMS demo. For the uninitiated, EMS involves 20 minutes of electrical muscle stimulation that promises the results of a full gym session. She was deeply skeptical but curious enough to give it a try. “I was blown away. That twenty-minute session did more for me than hours in the gym ever did,” she laughs.
She didn’t just sign up – she gave it her all. Suzanne has invested her pension, her time and her heart into opening her own Body20 studio in Klerksdorp. Many called it stupid, but for Suzanne it was the first step to reclaiming her life.
“I put everything I had into the studio. The early days were tough. I didn’t pay myself a salary, I worked seven days a week, but I finally built something that was important to me.”
“Most of my clients are women over 40 – perimenopausal, menopausal or just overwhelmed by the demands of life. What they need most isn’t just a workout. They need support, education and a community to get it.”
Her studio quickly became a haven for women who felt overlooked by traditional gyms. “We don’t just change the body – we change the mindset. Women think it’s too late for them and that their best years are behind them. But once they feel stronger, everything changes – their confidence, their relationships, even their careers.”
In her Body20 studio, the focus goes beyond efficient EMS training. Members start with an InBody scan, which measures muscle, fat, water and mineral levels. Certified trainers tailor sessions to each individual’s needs and nutritionists create personalized nutrition plans to support goals. The result? A holistic, community-focused approach that helps women thrive physically and emotionally.
READ MORE: “How I got healthy and fit by ditching the scale”
Why combining career and health is important
After months of spending 16-hour days building her business and starting a second business, Suzanne realized she was neglecting her own health. “I realized I couldn’t just tell my clients what to do, I had to do it myself.”
That’s why she began her own transformation together with her customers on August 1, 2024. “I wanted to go through what the members were going through,” she says. “Many women think it’s easy when you’re younger but harder when you’re older. I wanted to understand the process, especially eating, which is often the most difficult.”
She initially weighed 67.3 kg, had a body fat percentage of 30.1% and 26.3 kg of muscle. A year later she had lost 14kg of fat, weighed 59kg, had 30kg of muscle and only 10% body fat.
Her physical transformation is a symbol of something deeper – proof that life after divorce can be powerful, fulfilling and full of second chances for women.
A fitness journey to inspire others
Competing had always been a dream. And exactly a year later, she took the stage at the Puma Classic, followed by the Welkom Classic, shortly after earning her pro card at the Fire and Ice competition.
“The message is simple: you can do anything you put your mind to, no matter how old you are. I started when I was 50, and by 51 I was already on stage. It’s never too late to start.”
But Suzanne’s journey isn’t all about brawn and medals. It is also about healing emotionally, spiritually and mentally. The pain of divorce, years of pleasing people, and her own harsh inner critic forced her to confront herself and do the deeper work of self-love and acceptance. “Self-love isn’t about bubble baths and spa days. It’s waking up every day and choosing yourself, even when it’s hard. It’s about looking at yourself with compassion instead of criticism.”
She deals with the challenges openly. “Some days you will fall apart. But the beauty lies in getting back up, asking for help and finding your tribe.”
“When women start eating well and exercising intelligently, their bodies respond powerfully. It’s about success, not deprivation.”
READ MORE: “How I got fit and healthy after gaining pregnancy weight”
Suzanne’s 3 principles for successful strength transformation
1. Education is just as important as exercise
Suzanne is passionate about debunking nutrition myths, especially those aimed at women. “Diet culture tells us to eat less and do more, especially as we get older. That’s nonsense. Most women who come here are undereating, overworked and wondering why nothing is changing. We teach them to fuel their bodies, to eat for energy and strength, not just because of the scale.”
2. Start small
“Don’t wait for the perfect moment, it doesn’t exist. Find a community, ask for help and don’t be afraid of failure. Transformation is a journey, not a finish line. With every step you become stronger.”
3. Put yourself first
Not out of selfishness, but out of necessity. “You can’t drink from an empty cup. The best thing you can do for your family, your work and your future is to invest in yourself.”
There is life after divorce
Looking forward, Suzanne hopes her story inspires other women to take charge of their lives – at any age and in any circumstance. “You’re allowed to change. You’re allowed to want more. And you’re allowed to strive for it without apologizing.”
As Body20 Franchisee of the Year, bodybuilding champion and, by her own definition, a work in progress, Suzanne is proof that the best chapters can begin later in life. Her journey is a rallying cry for women around the world: strength lies not only in the body, but also in the courage to start again.
