Your Coach

Technical Background

Amanda Lan is not just a businesswoman, multifaceted artist, or martial artist; she’s a visionary whose journey has been shaped by resilience, triumph, and a relentless determination to rewrite her narrative. Born of mixed ethnicity and moulded by the challenges of apartheid, Amanda’s roots in Cape Town gave her a unique perspective on life. From an early age, she displayed exceptional talent, securing top awards in the art world and excelling as a Western Province athlete during her schooling years. Transitioning into the corporate realm, Amanda continued to excel, earning accolades as a textile designer and worker relations officer for an international Swiss-German company. For 28 years, she thrived in the clothing industry, climbing the ranks from colour separator, textile designer to factory manager. Amanda’s journey took a transformative turn when she embraced martial arts at 17, eventually earning a 7th dan Kung Fu martial arts rank as a student, mentor, and business partner. However, her story didn’t end there. Training was never her sole objective; she played key roles in the registration process, politics and promotion of Kung Fu and Chinese medicine in South Africa, earning her stripes on various governing bodies. She also created awareness through locally presented competitions, international events and exchange programs, working tirelessly in the background while raising her children. All the while, she observed the lack of advocacy for women’s wellness and roles in all facets of life, from work and training to family, while preserving her sanity and well-being. Her international travels to expand her training knowledge led her to earn a 4th dan Health Qigong Technical Coach rank in China. This journey enabled her to present on women’s wellness and fitness at the BRICS International Health Qigong Federation in Beijing for three consecutive years, reaching audiences across 87 countries. Today, she is regularly invited to the Silk Belt Road Initiative to provide feedback on wellness issues commonly found while teaching and interacting with clients. Her main focus remains advocating for the well-being and nurturing of women. The significance of women’s wellness cannot be overstated, yet it often remains overlooked in general social discourse. Inspired by the proverb “Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo” (You Strike a Woman, You Strike a Rock), these Zulu words from the famous resistance song have come to symbolize the courage and strength expressed at the Women’s March of 1956, when South African women refused to give in to increasing oppression without protest. Amanda is passionately committed to assisting women in reconnecting, healing, and rediscovering their purpose. Thus, she initiated the BalanceHER Journey – Harmony Flow Wellness Practices, aimed at nurturing women of all ages through life’s transformative stages with acceptance and grace. She seamlessly merged her artistic prowess with strategic business acumen, becoming a trailblazer and setting new standards in cross-cultural communication. Despite lacking a university degree initially, Amanda’s thirst for knowledge remained unquenchable, culminating in her obtaining a national certificate in generic business management, and a MBA Diploma in business, in her late 50s. Since the mid-1990s, she pioneered the fusion of digital technology, design, and martial arts, redefining success both in South Africa and beyond. Amanda Lan embodies resilience, creativity, and a commitment to rewriting the narrative of success.