TikTok coach Kopano: Health is about more than curves or BMI
Fitness coach and TikTok creator Kopano Mokhele tells Don’t Hold Back why health can’t be reduced to weight, curves, or BMI alone.
In the latest episode of Don’t Hold Back with Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba, fitness coach and TikTok personality Kopano Mokhele opens up about his unusual journey of intentionally gaining weight, and what it taught him about health, body image, and identity.
Earlier this year, Kopano set himself a challenge: to gain around 30 kilograms in just a few months and then lose it again, documenting the process to better understand the mental and physical battles his clients face.
Kopano says too many people still rely on BMI charts and appearances to measure health, which don’t always fit African bodies or lived experiences.
For him, health is about how you feel: “If you have the brain fog, the sluggishness, the bloat, it does not matter how you look. So generally, I believe how you feel should dictate if you should maybe start the journey, continue the journey, adjust the journey.”
He also speaks candidly about battling cravings, food addiction, and the physical toll of his experiment - including sleep apnea, sore joints, and even elevated cholesterol. The result, he says, is a new empathy for his clients and a sharper understanding of how weight loss is as much mental as it is physical.
Kopano also breaks down five simple, practical habits you can start today to build a healthier lifestyle.
Watch or listen to the full episode of Don’t Hold Back below.
Meanwhile, in a previous episode of Don’t Hold Back, Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba shared that she will soon be turning 35 and was questioning if she was where she should be in life.
Her guest, media icon and leadership coach Elana Afrika Bredenkamp, shared lessons on money, mindset and milestones. From her father’s advice, “Don’t spend money you don’t have,” to her own mantra of gratitude, Elana reminded listeners that success is about comfort and contentment, not deadlines.
Watch or listen to the full episode below.
Don’t Hold Back is an internationally recognised podcast co-produced by Jacaranda FM, East Coast Radio, and Deutsche Welle. Each episode tackles taboo topics and real-life challenges faced by South Africans under 35 - from identity and culture to mental health and relationships.
MORE ABOUT NOZIBELE QAMNGANA-MAYABA:
Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba is an award-winning author, HIV activist, certified life coach, and TV presenter. She is best known for her bestselling book I Am Still Me and for hosting the groundbreaking docu-series #YesIHaveHIV, which earned critical acclaim for its impact on HIV awareness in South Africa. A respected public speaker and social commentator, Nozibele uses her platforms to challenge stigma, empower young people, and lead honest conversations about identity, health, and personal growth.
Don’t Hold Back has received international and local recognition, including:
- Bronze Winner - 2023 Anthem Awards (Education, Art & Culture / Podcast or Audio)
- Finalist - 2023 New York Festivals Radio Awards
- Shortlisted - 2023 Publisher Podcast Awards (Best Health & Wellbeing Podcast)
- Finalist - 2023 AIB Awards (Presenter of the Year: Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba)
- Spotlight of the Year (Podcast) - 2023 African Podcast and Voice Awards
- Gold Winner - 2024 South African Podcasting Awards (Wellness & Relationships)