Twenty years of coaching bodies. Cancer taught me why.
Christilee Jansen
Founder & head coach, Barbells & Co — Cape Town
Former South African representative athlete — SA champion over 400m and 800m six years running, with U/23 Springbok colours in both track and duathlon. A BA in Sport Psychology, two postgraduate honours and diplomas in exercise science. Twenty years coaching one-on-one. Stage-3 lymphoma survivor, in remission — which is where the "before you're forced to" comes from.
Built on the track
I started competing in athletics as a child and went on to represent South Africa in athletics and duathlon. I never really stopped — these days the racing happens on a mountain bike. Movement was never a chore to me — it was identity. That love led me to exercise science, then to a BA in Sport Psychology and two postgraduate honours — because I wanted to understand not just how bodies work, but why people do.
Twenty years, one at a time
For over two decades I've coached people of every age and starting point — executives, parents, runners, retirees. I learned early that the workout is the easy part. The real coaching is in the accountability, the nutrition, the psychology, and in genuinely caring whether someone shows up for themselves next week. My longest-standing clients have been with me for years, not weeks. That's the only metric I care about.
Stage 3. Theneverything changed.
Fighting stage-3 lymphoma — and now living in remission — rewrote my relationship with health. I learned what our bodies are truly capable of, and how precious the strength we take for granted really is. I don't coach so people look better in photos. I coach so you invest in your health before you're ever forced to.
Hands on · coaching a client through a plank
The road here
The study
Exercise science first, then a BA in Sport Psychology and two postgraduate honours — the science that still underpins every plan CJ writes.
The athlete
Six straight years as SA champion over 400m and 800m, and Springbok colours in two sports — which taught her what bodies can do, and what pushing too hard costs.
The coach
Twenty years, one-on-one: professionals, parents, runners, and everyone who'd "tried everything".
The diagnosis
Stage-3 lymphoma. The fight of her life — and the education no degree could give.
Remission
Living proof that strength built before the storm is the strength that carries you through it.
Barbells & Co, today
Whole-person coaching in Cape Town and online — so you invest in your health before you're forced to.
Qualifications & honours.
Qualified
- 2001Diploma in Exercise Science — University of Potchefstroom
- 2008Diploma in Exercise Science — HFPA
- 2008Certificate in Child Development — HFPA
- 2008Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy — HFPA
- 2010Lifeguard qualification
- 2008–10BA Sport Psychology — University of Johannesburg
- 2011Postgraduate Honours in Psychology
- 2014Postgraduate Honours in Further Education & Training
On the track
- 2003–08South African champion, 400m & 800m — six years in a row
- 2006Junior African champion, 400m & 800m
- 2006Represented South Africa in Namibia and Madagascar
- 2006Sportswoman of the Year
- JNRSouth African representative — World Track & Field Games, 400m
- U/23Springbok colours — Duathlon
- U/23Springbok colours — Track & Field
My clients don't become another number. They become part of a community — and my goal isn't to help you lose weight. It's to help you become stronger, healthier and happier for the rest of your life.
She trains the way she coaches.
Twenty years in and still on a start line most seasons — which is why the programming reads like it was written by someone who still has to do it too.
Your story next.
Wherever you're starting from, you don't have to start alone.