Angella turns struggle into strength

FOR Angella Michael, a former television news anchor, the wake-up call came with a painful realisation, her health and confidence were slipping away. Weighing over 100 kilograms at her heaviest, Angella no longer recognised the woman staring back at her from the screen.

“I never thought I would hate how I looked. But when no clothes fit, I looked older than I was, and being on TV only magnified everything. I just didn’t like what I saw and that’s when I knew something had to change,” she said Instead of giving in to frustration, Angella chose a different path.

She embraced a healthier lifestyle through exercise and nutrition. What began as a personal journey turned into a passionate mission to help others across Tanzania live better, more active lives.

At the time, Angella was already managing the demands of her career at the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), motherhood, and later her current position as Public Relations Officer at the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE). With such a packed schedule, finding time for fitness wasn’t easy, but she made it a priority.

“I wake up early to work out for at least 50 minutes at home, if I miss it in the morning, I make sure to do it in the evening. It’s part of my daily life now. I don’t negotiate with that time,” Ms Angella said That unwavering discipline reshaped more than just her appearance it restored her self-esteem, boosted her energy, and ignited a powerful desire to make a difference in other people’s lives.

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Angella realised her story could help others struggling with similar issues, so she turned to social media to widen her reach.

Through platforms like Instagram and Facebook, she began sharing home-based workouts, practical nutrition tips, and messages of encouragement.

She offered a space where people could learn, ask questions, and feel supported on their own health journeys. So far, more than 100 people across Tanzania have benefited from her online guidance. Some follow her routines. Others message her for advice. Many just draw strength from her story.

“I never imagined I would become a fitness motivator, but every time someone tells me, ‘Because of you I started moving my body,’ it feels like a small victory against something much bigger,” she said For Angella, this “something bigger” is not just about losing weight or fitting into smaller clothes it’s about tackling the growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Tanzania and beyond.

“We are fighting more than just weight gain. We are battling the silent killer’s diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and heart conditions. These are illnesses many people live with, but they are often preventable. That’s what breaks my heart,” she said.

Her concern is well-founded. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs are responsible for 41 million deaths every year, which accounts for 74 per cent of all deaths worldwide.

Shockingly, 17 million of those deaths occur in people under the age of 70, with the majority happening in low and middle-income countries like Tanzania. The main risk factors are familiar and preventable physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption.

These lifestyle choices are fuelling diseases that take lives prematurely, drain families emotionally and financially, and strain national healthcare systems. Angella’s message is simple; prevention starts with movement and mindset.

“You don’t need to go to a fancy gym. You don’t need expensive shoes or equipment. With the smartphone most of us already have, you can follow guided workouts and get moving from home. It’s not about having everything it’s about starting with what you have.” Backed by scientific research, Angella often shares facts with her followers to show that fitness is more than a trend it’s a life-saving practice.

One example she often quotes is a 2007 study showing that regular physical activity can help reduce breast cancer risk by lowering oestrogen levels, especially in postmenopausal women with higher body fat.

“Fitness is about survival. It’s not just for aesthetics,” she said.

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“People need to know that their daily choices can affect their longterm health.” But Angella’s vision doesn’t end online.

She dreams of establishing a physical health and wellness centre a dedicated space where Tanzanians can receive holistic care. She imagines a place where trainers, nutritionists, and health educators work together to offer personalised support, especially to those who feel left behind by traditional healthcare systems.

“We need to normalise exercise. We need to make it part of our culture, not just something you do to lose weight before a wedding or a holiday. We need to move well, eat well, and live well for ourselves and our families,” she said.

In a country where preventable diseases continue to claim thousands of lives, role models like Angella are more important than ever. She is stepping in where formal health systems often struggle, reaching people directly in their homes, on their phones, and in their daily routines. Her message especially resonates with women, many of whom juggle careers, family, and caregiving, often putting their own health last.

“If you want to feel better, sleep better, live longer start with just 30 minutes of movement a day,” she said She added, “The more time you spend sitting, the higher your risk for diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. It doesn’t matter where you start. What matters is that you start.” Angella’s journey is not just about personal transformation it’s about public service.

Her story proves that even one individual, with commitment and compassion, can inspire a wider movement toward better health.