To say that health, wellness and fitness have been a part of her whole life is an understatement. Candice De Mendonca’s journey began at the tender age of five when she started running. It was there that her lifelong adventure of self-discovery took root, teaching her the importance of cultivating herself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. From that early age, she realized that health and wellness are holistic and that achieving meaningful goals requires dedication across all aspects of life. Her first coach, Mr Scott, left an indelible mark, instilling in her a principle that continues to guide her today. “Quitters never win, and winners never quit” became more than a motto; it became a compass for her journey.
Her early life was punctuated by achievement across multiple disciplines. By the age of eighteen, she had earned South African colors in cross country, Gauteng colors for hockey, athletics, and swimming, specializing in breaststroke. These accomplishments reflected not only talent but a disciplined approach to training and personal growth. University offered a new horizon, and Candice pursued a degree in Sports Development at the institution now known as UJ. Driven by a desire to foster development programs for young athletes, she immersed herself in personal training studies and sports massage courses through the Health and Fitness Professionals Association. During her forty shadowing hours, she found herself drawn completely to learning the craft.
Her first professional opportunity came at Xtreme Fitness under Dorian Cabral, where her dedication and passion for training earned her a full-time position after completing her shadowing. Later, as Xtreme Fitness merged with Planet Fitness Village Walk, she expanded her scope, balancing training with media opportunities, modeling work, and collaborations with agencies such as 3D Model Management and Abstrakt Model Management. This period marked the beginning of her multifaceted career, blending fitness, wellness, and a growing expertise in nutrition. Eventually, Candice moved through private gyms including Wellness in Motion and Splice Gym, refining her philosophy before founding The Fitness Hybrid. Alongside this, she created GI Jane, a low-GI meal prep brand, aligning nutrition with training for herself and her clients.
Let’s explore how Candice is transforming wellness in South Africa and redefining what it means to live a balanced, empowered life!
Passion Meets Frustration
The Fitness Hybrid was born from both passion and frustration. Candice’s love for movement, science, and human potential drove her vision. Simultaneously, she grew frustrated with a superficial health culture that emphasizes extremes over sustainability. Her early experiences in endurance sport and sports nutrition exposed her to both the possibilities and the costs of pushing too hard. “I wanted to create a space that merges the science of fitness with the art of living where people could train intelligently, eat intuitively, and thrive without obsession.”
She sought a model that valued balance and long-term health over fleeting aesthetics. Candice observed a gap between scientific evidence and what individuals were actually taught. The Fitness Hybrid became her response, a place where people could train intelligently while understanding the reasoning behind each action.
Early Influences
Candice’s approach has been shaped by mentors and role models who prioritize truth and integrity. She draws inspiration from physiologists, doctors, and coaches who view health through both physical and psychological lenses. From a young age, her brothers impressed upon her the importance of movement as a holistic pursuit. “My brothers influenced me initially growing up from a young age; they made an impression on my developing mind that movement with its multifaceted layers is everything.” These influences reinforced the idea that health encompasses more than appearance; it includes knowledge, resilience, and self-awareness.
Philosophy of Health
Candice’s core belief is simple: “Health should enhance your life, not control it.” This principle informs everything at The Fitness Hybrid. The company emphasizes education, balance, and sustainability, teaching clients why they do what they do, not just what to do. Candice calls this the integration of science, psychology, and practicality into daily life. Fitness becomes not a rigid prescription but a flexible, informed relationship with the body. “It’s about integrating science, psychology, and practicality so people can actually live well, not just ‘look’ well.”
The Hybrid Sustainability Model
Recognizing the limitations of traditional approaches, Candice created her Hybrid Sustainability and Longevity Model. She explains, “I created the hybrid model because I saw a gap between what science tells us and what people are actually being taught.” In South Africa, fitness culture thrives yet remains caught in outdated ideologies, extreme diets, and short-term fixes. Her model bridges endurance, strength, nutrition, and recovery while merging data with humanity. It is tailored to each individual rather than promoting a single methodology. “It’s not about pushing one method; it’s about finding the right blend for each individual.”
Mission and Vision
The mission of The Fitness Hybrid is to redefine what it means to be fit. Candice focuses on cultivating a culture where movement, intelligent nutrition, and critical thinking intersect. The vision extends beyond physical transformation, aiming to empower individuals to reach optimal physical and mental performance without sacrificing joy or balance. “When someone says, ‘I finally feel in control of my health,’ or ‘I’ve stopped fearing food,’ that’s everything.” Growth is measured not in metrics but in the lasting impact on people’s lives. “Growth for me isn’t measured in numbers or followers; it’s in the impact we leave on people’s lives and how they carry that forward and pass or share that knowledge with those around them.”
Confronting Industry Biases
Candice has faced challenges in an industry that often prioritizes appearance over knowledge, especially for women. Early on, she had to prove her approach was rooted in exercise physiology and nutritional science. She reflects, “I learned to stop apologizing for being both feminine and educated and instead lead with authenticity and evidence as well as stern foot down on ‘I don’t settle for anyone’s crap attitudes,’ so people respect me a lot more because it’s important to call out people when they are wrong.” This quiet rebellion reinforced her credibility and set the tone for leadership based on clarity, consistency, and authenticity.
The Human Side of Leadership
Her leadership style emphasizes empathy and honesty over control. “Leadership isn’t about control, it’s about clarity and consistency. You can’t pour from a burnt-out cup, and you can’t inspire people with perfection.” Candice believes that vulnerability, empathy, and honesty are powerful tools for guiding individuals and teams. She nurtures a culture where education and accountability coexist, allowing clients and team members to grow with both discipline and support. “Vulnerability, empathy and honesty are far more powerful.”
Transformational Stories
Some of the most profound experiences at The Fitness Hybrid involve transformations that go beyond the physical. One client in his nineties came to her after a stroke, unable to walk. Progress was gradual: therabands in bed, sitting and standing, walking with a walker, and eventually full mobility, returning to work as a doctor for years. Candice recalls, “He always thanked me, and we had a sweet connection and love for one another. I felt kind of like a granddaughter too.” This story epitomizes her philosophy of change beginning internally and extending outward. “That’s the type of transformation we celebrate: the kind that starts internally and ripples outward.” The mind is central to goal achievement, a lesson reinforced through such experiences. “The mind plays a pivotal role in one’s goals and their attainability.”
Education, Women’s Health, and Recovery Science
The Fitness Hybrid emphasizes bridging research with practical application. Areas of focus include recovery science, performance nutrition, and women’s health. Candice plans for the brand to expand into partnerships with wellness products that align with ethical and scientific standards. “The Fitness Hybrid brand will continue to grow beyond just training into teaming up with substantiated, scientifically sound wellness products that actually align with our ethics.” Every decision reflects the integration of evidence-based science with real-world practicality.
Movement as Empowerment
Candice is transforming narratives around fitness, promoting empowerment over punishment. “We’re shifting the narrative from ‘fitness as punishment’ to ‘movement as empowerment.’” The Fitness Hybrid challenges misinformation, teaches critical thinking, and prioritizes sustainable habits. Candice envisions a preventive approach to health that she calls Medicine 3.0: “We’re not chasing trends; we’re building sustainable habits, teaching critical thinking, and helping people reconnect with what being well and disease-free truly means—Medicine 3.0, we need to prevent the conditions before they arise.”
Personal Passions and Broader Purpose
Beyond her professional work, Candice pursues initiatives that reflect her values. She hopes to climb Kilimanjaro to raise awareness of gender-based violence in South Africa. She extends an invitation to partners and sponsors to join in these causes, saying, “So if there are any potential sponsors reading this, please get in touch.” Her commitment to using movement as a vehicle for social change demonstrates how fitness can intersect with purpose.
The Future of Wellness in South Africa
Candice sees a transformative future for wellness in South Africa. “I see a massive shift toward personalization and education. People are starting to question quick fixes and demand transparency.” She anticipates that hybrid models integrating physical, nutritional, and emotional health will become the norm, accessible across socio-economic households. “Hopefully this application will be available across all socio-economic households. It’s not the privileged that need the most help.” The shift she envisions is from reactive healthcare to a preventive, holistic approach that addresses well-being before illness arises.
Truth, Integrity, and Grace
Candice’s guiding principles emphasize authenticity, consistency, and mindful action. “Know your ‘why,’ stay rooted in truth, and don’t chase noise.” For women navigating the fitness industry, she reminds them that quiet confidence and integrity are more impactful than any marketing campaign. “As women, we often feel the need to prove ourselves, but your quiet confidence and integrity will speak louder than any marketing campaign ever could.” Health, she says, is a daily relationship: “Health is like a bank account—compound interest over time—KEEP SAVING.” Balance, discipline, and kindness coexist in her philosophy: “Discipline and kindness can coexist, and true strength is found in balance, not in extremes. Everything in moderation. Even moderation needs moderation at times.”
Legacy and Continuing Evolution
Under Candice’s leadership, The Fitness Hybrid has grown into a true beacon for evidence-based wellness. Success is not measured in awards or accolades but in the lives she touches, with people reclaiming control over their health, finding joy in movement again, and building habits that last. The company sets a new standard for wellness, blending science, empathy, and integrity. Through her work, Candice is driving South Africa’s wellness revolution and showing that health is not a destination to reach but a way of living anchored in knowledge, care, and balance.
