TAKE 10: LE’CHELLE ALDRIDGE

Words: Nhlanhla Masemola | Photography: Nadia von Scotti | Videography: Maxime Thaysen

This Body Moves is our sport campaign celebrating all of the big and small ways that our bodies carry us. This body adapts, struggles, learns. This body endures, it accomplishes, it has what it takes. This body soaks up the stories that make up a lifetime of living with its own identity, heritage, failures, capabilities and wins. This body sets its own pace. This body sets its own terms.

Meet Le’Chelle Aldridge, the content creator who’s learning to love and embrace her body. She shares the challenges of this journey earnestly and sometimes light-heartedly through how she lives her life, with an appreciation for beauty and fashion. Le’Chelle lives in Cape Town with her husband and loves coffee, people watching, listening to podcasts, Saturday morning markets and parallel parking.

My body is a good place to be because...

It’s gotten me this far in life and, let’s be honest, women’s bodies are amazing.

What do you like to wear while being active?

High-waisted leggings that don’t need to be folded at the ankles (I’m short), a crop top or sports bra that keeps the sisters in place and a big baggy tee.

What do you eat before you work out?

I don’t usually like to eat before I work out, but if I do it’ll probably be a cup of coffee and an apple with macadamia nut butter.

What or who has been your biggest inspiration in life?

My sister is my biggest inspiration. She taught me to care for people, to ask the right questions and to be kind. Plus she’s the best mom to my favourite tiny people.

What does healthy mean to you and how do you define it?

Pursuing balance in mental, physical and emotional health and redefining my idea of what a healthy body looks like. Healthy also means being kind to myself and listening to my body and what it needs. My health is not defined by society, but rather a feeling of inner contentment.

What misconceptions do you think people have about fitness?

That it’s reserved for those of a certain size or fitness level, but it’s more about just getting up and moving your body in a way you feel comfortable.

What was your favourite moment while shooting the Superbalist Sport 2019 campaign?

In the beginning, I felt awkward and out of place. Then there was a moment when I realised that I wasn’t doing the shoot for myself, but for the women and girls who need to be represented in media. I’m so happy to be a small part of showing women that health isn’t only defined by having rock hard abs and being a size 6. It can also look like a soft belly, stretch marks and strong legs.

When have you felt your most beautiful?

I hate sounding like a cliche, but I felt the most beautiful on my wedding day, surrounded by my favourite people and laughing. Not for one second did I think about sucking in my tummy or tucking my arms slightly, I was just happy.

What do you love most about your body?

I love that my body is strong and resilient.

And the least?

Probably my upper arms (...still working on loving that bit).

8 songs perfect for working out?

It’s Like That

Run-D.M.C

Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It

Will Smith

Peaches & Cream

112

Dames

Biggy

Truth Hurts

Lizzo

It Runs Through Me

Tom Misch featuring De La Soul

Let Me

Matthew Mole

You Say

Lauren Daigle