A local celeb – Daniel Wessels
It is good to meet someone that inspires you. Makes you feel that you can achieve more than you have. You know, the type of person that leaves you feeling like you have a spring in your step. Daniel Wessels is such a person.
His achievements are as diverse as they are impressive. He is currently a guest artist with three songs on Leon Schuster’s Rugby World Cup album and has performed at, too many to mention, events. He even made it through to the Top 30 Idols in season 6. Daniel was voted SA’s Hottest Man in the Heat Magazine and he is a KZN provincial swimmer.
Daniel is a through and through Durbanite. He was born at Parklands Hospital, went to school at Highbury, Kearsney College and Westville Boys High School. He still lives in Durban, so we caught up with him to ask a couple of questions.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was young I wanted to be a lot of things. It kept changing on a weekly basis. Firstly I wanted to be a Archaeologist then a vet, doctor, farmer. But my main focus was always sporting activities. So a professional sportsmen was always a goal. Never ever thought I would become a professional Fitness Model though.
Were you the shy child at school?
I was classed as the A.D.D child by my teachers. They couldn’t stop me from bouncing off the walls. I was a very deep thinker and would zone out at times, but I definitely loved the spotlight and being the class clown or focus of attention. My parents handled this by channelling my energy into as many sports and activities as I could possibly do. Think this is why today I never get stressed with everything I put “onto my plate” with regards to life. I learnt from a young age to juggle a lot of things at once while still being able to put all my energy and effort into it
Did you have any ‘heroes’ growing up?
My heroes used to be Henry Honiball and James Small as I was big into my rugby. Spending a lot of time on my grandpa’s farm in the Freestate I could relate to Henry. As for James, well I just used to get my haircut like him cause I thought it was cool. Haha.
What is your best Durban memory?
I think the thing about Durban (Home) that stands out for me the most is the vibe. People in my community (Westville) are very friendly and everyone knows everyone. There is a great sense of friendship and support here, which is why I love being in Durban so much. Other than that, playing computer games (LAN Party) with 10 of my friends over a weekend in my garage EVERY term break from school.
As a teenager, what did you like to do during holidays?
Most of the time I was always busy playing sport over the weekends. That was what I loved to do. Swimming for South Africa and KZN I had a gala nearly every weekend at times so most of my time was spent by the poolside half naked in a Speedo (and full body suits – when they weren’t banned). I didn’t really go out as I was focused on my THEN chosen career as a professional sportsmen aiming for the Olympics. Sundays I would usually just relax by playing computer games and spending time with family and friends.
What do you think was the biggest obstacle in achieving what you have?
The biggest obstacle in achieving what you want in life is yourself. Many times I thought about giving up after thinking I had failed. Any obstacle can be overcome. There is always a way around things. It all starts with your mindset on the matter at hand and how YOU are going to cope with it and make it work for you or against you. I have always had great support from my family and friends so that helped me a lot in situations that were difficult. Also my strong relationship with God. He has been at the forefront of my life and guided me in the right directions when at times I really didn’t know what to do.
Do you do community service?
I do quite a lot of charity work for Bobby Bear Foundation, Reach for a Dream, private charity events etc. Funny enough, leading up to this year I have done nearly everything for free or as a favour. I like to bless people and sow into the Kingdom of God. Give and you will receive.
Are there any goals the you still want to achieve?
Everyday there are new goals I set myself. Goals in a day. Goals in a week. But long term I have a few goals. I would like to compete at FITNESS OLYMPIA which is one level up from where I am competing in November (FITNESS AMERICA) in Las Vegas. I have just landed a supplement sponsorship with BETANCOURT Nutrition as a FITNESS MODEL ATHLETE and as the face of BETANCOURT Nutrition in South Africa. This has been one of my major goals for quite a few years now (to get a supplement sponsor), its every bodybuilders dream really, and to also go over to America. Never mind for Fitness Modelling, but just over to America in general has always been a dream of mine. I would also like to own my own business which I am also currently working on at the moment, being a brand of my own, an ambassador for a major company such as ARMANI, Calvin Klein etc.
If you could sit and have a cup of coffee with anyone, who would it be?
I would love to sit and have a cup of coffee with Arnold Schwarzenegger. One of my all time role models. He is the King of Bodybuilding and the pioneer really of making the sport so well known in the world. Besides that he is really wise and has a great sense of humour so I would really enjoy it. Also in terms of his other achievements today he didn’t just fade away as a body builder but made something of himself on a greater level, in politics.
What advice do you have for anyone wanting to become a model / sports champ / performer?
If you want something badly enough in life you will do whatever it takes to get it. Out of passion, happiness but most of all LOVE for it. Love is the biggest driving force of anything on this planet. It can fuel you to overcome anything and never give up. Not just in terms of love for what you do yourself, but love from your parents, family, friends and God. Like they say, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. Go for your dreams and goals. Don’t live a little, LIVE a lot ! Life isn’t about waking up and being unhappy in the position you in. Life is about putting yourself in THE position you WANT to be in. We all have choice in life. Every single one of us. We all have the ability to work hard and be the best at what we do. Whether it be washing cars, being an accountant, being a professional sportsmen or being a house wife. We all have the ability to give it everything that is inside of us. But it starts with YOU, your mindset, the smile on your face and the fire in your heart.
Click Here to view more photos of Daniel and see how you can help him attend Mr Fitness America, representing South Africa.