I am an 18-year-old girl from Ghana, a student at the University of Education Winneba.

Growing up as a child, I loved pageantry and modelling, but anytime I told my dad about it, he would impose certain career ideas in order to become a prominent person in the future and the importance of concentrating on my studies. He wanted me to forget modelling and pageantry. I used to feel bad about that, but I never gave up. I used to tell my friends I wanted to become a model, and they would laugh and consider it a joke.

One day, I gathered courage and told my dad I wanted to become a model, but he got angry and threatened to disown me if I ever tried it. He asked if I wanted society to laugh at him as being a model is shameful and a disgraceful profession because models show their nakedness to the whole world; he threatened that he would rather die than see his only daughter embark on the modelling journey. I cried so much that day and thought of giving up my passion for modelling.

When I got into the secondary phase, I still had a passion for modeling, though I was now admiring and loving the lifestyle of the Rev. Sisters at my school. I attended one of the best catholic girls’ schools in Ghana. With the exposure to Rev.Sisters, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to become one because being a Rev. Sister meant that I’ll have to give up my passion for modeling which I was not ready to do so. During my third year in senior high, the economics student had a fashion show in my school where they displayed several dresses at the runaway. I loved the idea and imagined myself being on the runway. That is when the passion deepened, and I told myself I would become a model no matter what. I had an issue: I’m not a tall girl, and the belief that models are of a specific height was a worry, and my passion faded.

On 24th March 2024, I met a man called Mr Versatile, CEO of the Versatile Agency. A professional model, pageant coach and a choreographer at my school, the University of Education. I was thrilled because I have heard a lot about him. It was a privilege to be in his presence. I went to him and told him I wanted to become a model and I would be very happy if he helped with my passion. He smiled and said he loved my confidence and would help me be more significant than him. He gave me all the information about his agency and asked me to come for rehearsals the following Saturday morning for rehearsals with no fee expectations; I was thrilled. I know In Ghana, when one is to join an agency, you need to pay 80%or 100% of your fees before you can start rehearsals, but with a Versatile agency, it was different. He gives you the opportunity to start training before paying for the tuition. I was happy and sad at the same time because I was going against my dad, though I am happy that my dream was finally being fulfilled.

At first, modelling was just about modelling, but I realised after a day with a Versatile agency that there was a whole lot in modelling; after one month of training with the Versatile agency, the CEO, Mr.Versatile organised a fashion show where I was given a chance to be part of it and was filled with joy. That was my first runway show, and I enjoyed it. Since then, I have walked on many shows and am still looking forward to being greater. I later joined a pageantry in my school, Face of Guss, where I emerged Miss Catwalk and Miss Personality. Mind you, my dad knew nothing about it. My daddy is still in the dark about my modeling career, though I know someday I will tell him.

I’m a student at the University of Education, Winneba, pursuing Human resources management. I take my studies seriously, as well as my modelling career, and I will encourage the youth never to let anyone stop them from reaching their full potential. I would love to emphasise that modelling isn’t about being naked, as a narrative my dad has. As a model, you command respect, and anyone can be a model. It is not entirely about your physical appearance. My height is 5’0, and I call myself the petite model. I’m a runway, commercial, photo, and fashion model.

Please feel free to contact me for business.
– IG: Shar.n2000
– Tiktok @pognaba_a
– Facebook: pognaba.

The post Sharon Agana’s Modeling Journey: Breaking Barriers. appeared first on Sheevolves.world.

Once upon a time, in my youthful school days, I found myself entangled in the intricate web of love. Love, they say, is a beautiful thing; it’s the sweetest experience one can ever encounter. However, my journey through love was anything but conventional. It all began during my junior high years, where I faced betrayal, insults, and disgrace at the hands of my ex-lover due to a breakup instigated by a classmate and a lingering misunderstanding left unresolved.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane, revisiting the story of my life post-junior high.

My name is Queen, and I’ve carried the weight of body-shaming since the tender age of nine. I also faced discrimination because I struggled academically. I knew I had to take my studies seriously, but in the midst of it all, I found love within the walls of my school. I met a brilliant, handsome young man who happened to be my classmate and, surprisingly, the school’s brightest intellect. Yes, I know it sounds unusual, but he became my boyfriend, and I loved him dearly. In my mind, I was already his wife. I had grand plans for our future together.

However, there was another handsome and charismatic fellow in our class who had set his eyes on me. He was also intelligent, but what truly captivated me were his charming eyes and his infectious smile. Now, back to our story—let’s call the brilliant guy I was dating “E,” and the charismatic rival was “R.” Our story unfolds.

After a late-night discussion with E, I was faced with a dilemma. R, the school heartthrob, had shown interest in me, and our interactions had come to a brief halt. He wanted to rekindle our connection. Fueled by a desire for revenge, I confided in E about R’s return to my life. That very night, after our conversation, E proposed to me, and I was overjoyed. I wanted to keep our relationship under wraps to execute my plan to get back at R. You see, R was notorious for being a bit of a ladies’ man, so my scheme was to date him briefly and then leave him hanging.

On the day following E’s proposal, I retreated to my room in tears when I spotted R’s twin brother’s girlfriend approaching me. I had to pretend that I wasn’t interested in E so she wouldn’t suspect my ulterior motive, fearing she would inform R of my intentions.

Our conversation went like this:

R’s Twin’s Girlfriend: Hello, Queen, why are you crying? Don’t you love Mr. E?

Me: Yes.

R’s Twin’s Girlfriend: Aww, tell him it’s Mr. R you love, right?

Me: Yes.

And with that, she left.

This was all part of my plan to make her inform R of my interest in him.

Days passed, and I found myself enjoying my time with R, forgetting my vengeful agenda. Our school exams were over, and it was time to leave. My relationship with E had been beautiful until one day when a friend of his, also a classmate of mine, named Mr. A, told me that E had another girlfriend and wasn’t taking me seriously. I was shattered, and that day, I couldn’t eat. It was my first heartbreak, and the pain was unbearable. I decided to break up with E as well.

I continued to high school, but I couldn’t let go of my feelings for E. I was willing to apologize and do anything to get him back, so I sent my best friend, to talk to him. She knew him well, and I instructed her to fabricate a story that would make E listen to her and reconsider his feelings for me.

Let me tell you, it was a spectacular plan!

E not only disrespected me but also insulted and called me names. When my friend sent me screenshots of their conversation, I wept like a child. However, that marked the turning point in my story. I emerged as a strong, bold, intelligent, and hardworking woman. I realized that no words of body-shaming or discrimination could quench the fire within me.

I want you, the reader of this story, to know that you are special. Don’t let anyone bring you down. If you’re going through a tough time, remember that you can overcome it. This is my new story, one of resilience and strength, and it’s a story I hope inspires you to face your challenges head-on and emerge victorious.

Written by Asem Martina Biankie.

Instagram: queen_biankie 

The post This is a story of self-love appeared first on Sheevolves.world.

When people talk about fitness and being healthy, more often than not, one starts to picture rigorous sweating, strenuous workouts and many different equipments. But I am here to tell you that you do not necessarily need all of that. Not only because workouts have come so far in the past couple of years, but also because I generally think that we are not all keen to jump, run and skip our way to better health (or at least not all the time). Which is why I have compiled a list of three workout programs and applications that can get you the results that you want in the comfort of your own home with little or no equipment. 

1. FitOn: I’m pretty sure I’ve spoken about this app before. This app has become a staple in my workout regiment. Not only is the app free, but it also has a number of top fitness enthusiasts. This app has a variety of workouts to suit a variety of people from those who love to sweat it out to those who prefer a much slower and slow paced workout. Personally, I love the yoga workouts by seasoned yogi Vytas. Not only are his sessions sure to get your body moving (without all the jumping of course), but he has words of wisdom, and he provides great advice and tips on how to live a healthier life. 
2. Tracy Anderson Method: When I first tried the Tracy Anderson method some years ago, I was convinced the workouts were not for me. I used to think that her specialized and well designed movements were somewhat hard to understand and adjust to. They can leave you thinking “is this really a workout”. But after the first session or two you start to realize the genius of the whole program. Not only is it actually working your body in ways other workouts don’t, but there is also a sense of accomplishment when you finish one of her workouts. 
3. Melissa Wood Health: Similar to the Tracy Anderson Method, Melissa Wood Health’s workout program is a whole lot of “bang for your buck”, without actually banging or jumping. Which is why it is a must try for those of you who want a good workout without all the jumping. I must say, even though you wont be doing much jumping, you will feel the workout during and after.

The post Bite Size: 3 Wonderful Workout Apps and Programs I Would Recommend  appeared first on Sheevolves.world.

I always like to say that working out and “living healthy” is not always a linear path. As someone who enjoys a good sweat session, as well as eating well. I can tell you that some days and even weeks, I am less concerned by these things than I am by the idea of being happy. With that in mind however, I wanted to share some ways I like to plan my workouts. Whilst these are in no way set in stone. They do help to ensure that I workout my whole body instead of one part.

• Saturday & Sunday: Active recovery – On weekends I like to focus less on doing targeted or planned workouts.  Instead I like to take walks in our neighborhood. Stretch and just take care of myself WHILST ensuring I move even if it is for 10 minutes to go get a coffee around the corner.
• Monday: Light cardio + Leg day –  Mondays are great for doing leg days as I can rest my legs (and thighs) the rest of the week as I work from my computer. I also like that like most people, leg focused workouts inspire me to workout the next day and the day after that. Along with my leg day workouts I like to add in a light cardio session. This can be skipping, running or even just some jumping jacks to get me sweating.
• Tuesday: Yoga or Pilates – After a tough Monday workout, my Tuesdays I mainly for doing some yoga or pilates.  But don’t be fooled, whilst these workouts may seem easy, they can in fact be demanding on the body depending on the intensity level you choose.
• Wednesday: Light cardio + abs – Once a week i like to focus on ab based workouts that help torch my midsection. The great thing about these is that most abs workouts for me anyways also include a bit of back workouts. And as always I like to mix in a bit of cardio as well.
• Thursday: Freestyle – Thursdays are what i like to call my freestyle days. If I am up to it I will do an intense high interval workout, or if I am feeling run down, I opt for some yoga or meditation. Sometimes even a little dance session is in order to get my heart rate up and move my body.
• Friday: Arms + back – Fridays are the best for moving my arms and back muscles. Again depending on my mood I might throw in some cardio. The most important thing to note however is that throughout my week I am making sure I hit all the major muscle groups.

Irregardless of how you chose to use this schedule. The most important thing is to listen to your body and not do workouts that hurt you in any way. If they do, consult a DR or trainer to ensure you are doing certain moves correctly. Also ensure that you are getting plenty of rest and water to help your body recover. And remember that even just a walk counts as a workout.

The post How to plan your workout week appeared first on Sheevolves.world.

It seems not too long ago, when your fitness level was measured by how many high powered machines you had access to. That was of course until COVID 19 hit the world and gyms around the world closed down in quick succession. As countries chose to close gym deeming them high risk environments for COVID spread. The health and wellness space had to take a step back and change a few things.

What started was a serge of at home workouts provided over various social media platforms. Followed by apps and workout programs that anyone anywhere could subscribe to and follow. What all these things had in common was the minimum amount of equipment needed. No longer did you need a treadmill, various weight machines to reach your peak fitness. Instead dumbbell, resistance band and kettle bell became all you needed for a full body workout. As someone who had recently signed out of gym but still looking for a way to get they benefits of a full gym workout. This pulling back was a welcome change for my wallet, but also my space.

As someone who lives in a small apartment, I didn’t have the luxury of having a variety of workout equipment at my disposal. Not to mention the money to buy it all. So instead, as the fitness videos and workouts relied less and less on these things that sometimes felt like barriers. More and more of us felt like we could actually partake in the health and wellness space. Even now as the promise of things getting back to a new normal. I am excited to continue on my less is more approach on fitness equipment.

The post Bite Size: How COVID changed the health and wellness space for good appeared first on Sheevolves.world.

No one knows about pushing their body beyond what seems normal than I do. As a workout junkie, I love nothing more than a good sweat session. Which is why when it comes to working out, I am always looking for the best ways to get through particularly difficult workouts. And after a few years of trial and error, I think I have just the solution. Whilst I never believe in a one size fits all approach. I do believe that you will be able to find something that works or helps even just a little bit.

1. Foam rolling: I cannot stress the benefits of foam rolling enough. Personally I like to foam roll both before and after a workout. And whilst foam rolling isn’t for everyone as it can be a bit intense. It does help stretch out muscles and ease sore muscles.
2. Hydration: Hydration is important to all our lives wether we workout or not. But if you are getting a sweat session or two into your week, then it is even more important. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids, before, during and after. This will help with your recovery and any aches and pains.
3. Stretching: If you’ve had a personal trainer or been to any workout class. Then you know how important stretching is. Personally I almost always feel too tired to stretch, but after missing this important step one too many times. I now know and can see the difference when I actually do stretch.
4. Warm up: Like stretching after a workout. Getting a good warm up is very important to ensuring your muscles are able to handle the stress of an intense workout. While it may not seem necessary. A good warm up can help protect muscles from any undue stress and harm.
5. Sleep: The more you workout, the more you need to rest and sleep. For every hour I workout, I like to add another hour to my sleep. Sleep helps the body to recover quicker and prepare it for what is to come.

The post Bite Size: How to get through a difficult workout appeared first on Sheevolves.world.

As a somewhat professional at home workout junkie. It seems only natural that all spheres of working out and staying fit interest me. Which is why ahead of the week when I was planning my workouts, I started to wonder about my workout gear. That is my workout mat, weights, resistance bands, clothes and anything else I use when working out. Unlike most people, I have been a fan of at home workouts for a while now. After years of working out at a gym, I decided to try some at home workouts when my family and I moved top France. Mainly because the nearest gym was a bus ride away. And whilst I may enjoy getting a workout in everyday. Getting myself pumped for it takes some work. Which is why I didn’t want to have an excuse to not work out. And taking the bus to workout seemed like a recipe for disaster.

With so many workout options for every level and need it seemed like the perfect way to get fit and save money. But with at home workouts comes the dreaded at home cleanouts. Which begs the question, how often should one clean up their gear? Personally I like to clean my mat, weights and all other equipment at least once a week. I do so by mixing vinegar with lemon, lavender or tea tree and water in a spray bottle and wiping everything down.

As for my workout clothes, I love a cute workout outfit. And since I have saved so much money on gym fees, I like to get a couple of cute workout outfits that double as at home lounge wear. For these I like to wear one outfit per workout unless I am doing a very easy workout like yoga and don’t feel the need to. But generally I tend to feel better if I wear my workout gear only once. I then wash them together in one load on a gentle wash with cold water and a splash of white vinegar. The white vinegar I find helps with removing ant sweat from my workout gear. And because most of my workout clothes are made from stretchy fabrics. I have found that a gentle wash makes them last longer.

How often do you wash your workout gear and equipment?

The post Bite Size: How often do you need to clean your workout gear and how to do so effectively appeared first on Sheevolves.world.

Lockdown has seen our lives changed in many ways in the past year or so. And the biggest change has been how we workout, or don’t workout. If I am being honest I hadn’t worked out much before the first lockdown because I was pregnant. But after giving birth and resting a bit (ok a lot). I started missing the endorphines from a good workout. But with all manner of gyms and workout spaces closed. I started working out at home using various apps. One thing I quickly realized is that unlike a gym. Working out at home requires a little bit of innovation, and a few tools to help you get the best results. Here are 5 tools I rely on for my at home workout.

1. Resistance bands: The best thing about resistance bands is the multitude of ways you can use them. From lower body to arm workouts, I enjoy using a variety of them. From low to high resistance.
2. Weights: Weights are a must for at home strength workouts. From my experience having at least three different sizes is a must. Try some light, medium and heavy ones. But starting off with some light ones is a good place to start.
3. Foam roller: I love my foam roller and think of taking it with me where ever I go. It’s not a workout tool per-say. But it is something I like to use before and after my workouts. It helps with sore muscles and tenderness. Its also a great way to stretch out muscles before an intense workout.
4. Sliders: Sliders are not the first thing most people buy when looking to start working out at home, but they should be. These useful and compact circles help to tighten up cores and get the heart rate going.
5. Skipping rope: Unlike most people, I am not a fan of cardio. But if you know anything about working out then you probably know by now that cardio is the best way to shed some unwanted weight. Which is why having a skippi,g rope is not only handy, but necessary.

The post Bite Size: 5 tools to buy now if you are working out at home appeared first on Sheevolves.world.

Getting physical is important now as it has ever been. Even with most gyms closed to the public due to COVID19. Moving your body is a great way to get away from the global anxiety we are all currently under. When you give yourself and your body some space to grow and move. And take your mind off of what is going on (COVID, deaths, unemployment etc). It becomes clearer that moving our bodies is one way we can all get a little breathing room. And whilst working out with friends light be off the table. It doesn’t mean you cant workout with your partner or family member. Below are 6 fun physical activities to do with any partner or person you are staying with.

1. Running: This is an oldie but goodie, and a great way to get out of your house or apartment. Making the time to see your neighborhood, breathe in some fresh air and workout your body is just one of the many benefits of running or jogging. Thanks to apps like the Nike running app (which is free) and so many more. You can focus your running and slowly and safely build up your stamina.
2. Online workouts: As a fan of various online workout apps and videos. I am often trying to rope in my husband or sister to workout with me. It does make things a big more enjoyable when you are working out with someone and even have someone to hold you accountable.
3. Dancing: My sister is a big fan of tik toks and one of the many videos that people post on tik tok is dancing video. Which often means some nights we find ourselves standing in front of our phones trying to learn choreography. The videos are usually short but the hours spent practicing and trying to get them right are enough to help you break a sweat.
4. Trampolining: If you are lucky enough to have a garden then this might be the time to invest in a trampoline. Known to help tone your body and get your heart rate going. Jumping on a trampoline for a few minutes a day is a fun way to spend with the little people or big people in your home.
5. Sport: Whilst most of the world does not have the luxury of a tennis or basketball court at home. There are some of these open to the public around the world even during COVID. If the above mentioned do not tickle your fancy then try something else to help get you going.

The post 5 Fun physical activities to do with a partner appeared first on Sheevolves.world.

The world of influencers can have adverse and toxic behaviors attached to it. Which is why we like to mind who we follow and why we follow them. In part because if you surround yourself with certain images or ideas that are not in line with your values or needs, then it can be easy to fall into the trap of trying to be something you are not. Or worse yet, forming unhealthy ideas of who you are and who you need to be. And whilst these influencers are not for evryone. We hope you can find someone in our list to inspire you to live your best positive and healthy life.

• @HannahBronfman: I don’t know many of my friends who don’t follow Hannah. As an adidas ambassador, and one of the OG fitness influencers, Hannah is always willing to try new things. As a new momma, Hannah has also been a great source of inspiration for other women. Especially when it comes to embracing and even accepting your new body and the hurtful effects of snap back culture.
• @SashaExeter: Canadian fitness influencer Sasha may have flown under our radar for some time. But now that we know of her, we love her. Sasha shares cute pictures with her daughter along with lifestyle and fitness posts that always inspire us to move our bodies.
• @ValeriaLipovetsky: Valeria is one of those rare influencers who will make you feel like she is your best friend. As a mom of three boys and bad ass boss lady. Valeria likes to document her life through youtube videos whilst sharing fashion and beauty content. But If theres one thing we think she does better than most is remind us that we are beautiful just as we are as she shares body positive posts.
• @Yoliswa_mqoco: If high fashion is what you are after then look no further than Yoliswa’s instagram. This South African influencer is all about reminding us all to keep good mental health practices and donning the latest threads in fashion whilst enjoying the arts and culture scene in South Africa.

The post Bite Size: 4 influencers we are following this year appeared first on Sheevolves.world.