This month, I met with Fimanekeni (Fima) Hamutenya, a Special Olympics Namibia athlete, whose experience as a Fitness Captain and Health Messenger helped him rebuild his confidence and inspired him to help his fellow athletes live healthier, more active lives.
Fima has been participating in Special Olympics since 2014 and competes in athletics and floorball. He is passionate about helping others prioritize their health and well-being.
Life hasn't always been easy for Fima. After losing his job, he struggled with his confidence and self-esteem. However, with the support of his coach, Susan David, and his involvement in Special Olympics, he found a renewed sense of purpose. In 2024, that journey led him to become a Fitness Captain.
As a Fitness Captain, Fima found an Athlete Leadership role that not only helped him rebuild his confidence but also gave him the chance to motivate his fellow athletes to stay active and build healthy habits. Fima shared, "Being a Fitness Captain gives me confidence, and I can do what I like to do... [which is] being a leader, staying active, and motivating others so they improve."
Fitness Captains are athlete leaders who promote health, fitness, and healthy lifestyle habits within their Special Olympics teams and communities. Today, more than 2,200 Fitness Captains are represented across all seven Special Olympics Regions and 80 Programs worldwide.
When asked about what he enjoys doing as a Fitness Captain, Fima mentioned leading warm-ups and cool-downs. He believes that both are important for athlete health is they help to prepare the body for physical activity and recovery. Fitness Captains are trained to lead their sports teams in fitness activities, including warm-ups, cool downs, and exercises that enhance overall health and sports performance.
As Fima grew more confident in his role as a Fitness Captain, he realized he wanted to make an even greater impact on the health of his fellow athletes. That led him to become a Health Messenger.
Fima became a Health Messenger in 2024 and expanded his focus beyond physical activity to teaching others about nutrition, hydration, mindfulness, and other healthy habits that support overall health and well-being.
Health Messengers are athletes who are trained to serve as health and wellness leaders, educators, advocates and role models within their Special Olympics communities, as well as the community at large. They lead their teams, families, friends, and communities to pursue healthy lifestyles.
Fima says his favorite part of being a Health Messenger is helping athletes better understand how small, healthy habits can improve their daily lives. He also mentioned that he enjoys helping his fellow athletes learn how to improve their health.
"[I like] to teach other athletes about nutrition, hydration, and staying fit. How important it is to eat healthy foods, drink enough water, exercise and stay active every day."
Since the Health Messenger program launched in 2016, nearly 5,000 athletes have been trained to be health leaders and advocates.
Together, Fima’s roles as a Fitness Captain and Health Messenger have transformed not only his own life, but also the lives of those around him. Through leadership and encouragement, Fima is helping others build healthier, more active lives while continuing to grow as an athlete leader himself.
"I believe in myself and have more confidence. My coach believes in me and has encouraged me to keep going."
Fima shared some words of advice to athletes who are interested in becoming a Fitness Captain, a Health Messenger, or both, saying, "Keep learning, believe in yourself, and you can do it. It may not be easy at first but listen to your coach, you can do it!"
Interested in learning more about Fitness Captains? Check out the Fitness Captain webpage and email Gwendolyn Apgar for more information on how to offer a training.
Learn more about Health Messengers by visiting the Special Olympics website.
