Kindly introduce yourself. How did your start your journey into fitness coaching?
My name is Lilian Prima. I am a fitness coach. I train both men and women. I currently coach Simba FC, a men’s first division team, and I have coached Yei Joint Stars, a women’s team, for four years. Last year, I also had the honor of coaching the South Sudan Under-20 Women’s National Team. My journey began after retiring from playing football, I wanted to stay connected to the sport I love, and coaching gave me the opportunity to shape athletes and inspire others.
What inspired you to choose fitness as a career, and how did you overcome the stereotypes around women in sports and health?
For me, passion is everything. If you do not love it, you cannot do it. After playing football for many years, I knew I wanted to stay in the game, but in a different role. Some players retire and become referees, but I chose coaching and fitness because I truly enjoy it. I believe strongly that what a man can do, a woman can also do, and sometimes even better. Overcoming stereotypes has meant proving myself through hard work, discipline, and results. When people see the teams I coach performing well, they realize women belong in this space.
Growing up, what challenges did you face in pursuing fitness, and how did those experiences shape your determination today?
Growing up in South Sudan and partly in Congo, there were many challenges, including limited facilities, lack of proper equipment, and very few opportunities for women in sports. Sometimes even convincing families and communities that sports was valuable for girls was a struggle. These challenges taught me resilience. They shaped my determination to make sure that every player I coach is fit, disciplined, and confident, despite the obstacles.
What milestones or achievements in your fitness career make you most proud, and why do they matter not just to you, but to other women watching?
Coaching the Under-20 Women’s National Team was a huge milestone for me. It showed that women can lead at the highest levels of sport. I am also proud of the progress I have seen in Yei Joint Stars, watching young women grow stronger and more confident through fitness is deeply fulfilling. These achievements matter because they show other women that coaching is not just for men, and that women can lead teams successfully.
How has your work as a fitness coach impacted women and youth in your community?
My work has given women and youth a platform to believe in themselves. Through fitness, they learn discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Many young girls now see sports as a path to confidence and opportunity. I may not have an official mentorship program yet, but I am planning to start one because I see how much young women look up to me and want guidance.
Can you share a moment when you realized your coaching was inspiring others to embrace healthier, more confident lives?
One moment that stands out was when a young player told me she wanted to become a coach because she saw me leading Yei Joint Stars. She said, “If you can do it, I can too.” That was powerful, it showed me that my presence alone can inspire others to dream bigger.
Lilian (centre) during a training session supporting a top corporate team- Soccer Lives Forever (SLF) at Buluk play ground in Juba.
What unique challenges do women face in fitness and health in South Sudan, and how do you believe they can be overcome?
Women face cultural stereotypes, limited access to facilities, and sometimes lack of family support. Many people still believe sports are only for men. To overcome this, we need awareness campaigns, investment in women’s sports, and strong role models who show that fitness is for everyone.
How do you see fitness coaching empowering women, not just physically, but mentally and socially?
Fitness builds more than muscles. It builds confidence, discipline, and resilience. When women train, they learn to push past limits, and that strength translates into their personal and social lives. It gives them a voice, a sense of pride, and the courage to challenge stereotypes.
What advice would you give to young women who want to pursue fitness but feel discouraged by cultural or social expectations?
My advice is simple: follow your passion. Do not let stereotypes stop you. Sports and fitness are not just about competition, they are about health, confidence, and empowerment. If you love it, pursue it, and remember that you are paving the way for the next generation.
How would you describe your leadership style as a fitness coach, and how do you use it to empower others?
My leadership style is hands-on and motivational. I believe in leading by example, showing discipline, consistency, and respect. I push my players to give their best, but I also support them emotionally, because empowerment is not just about physical strength, it’s about believing in yourself.
What values guide you in your work, whether in training, mentoring, or community outreach?
Discipline, equality, and resilience. I believe every athlete deserves equal treatment, whether male or female. I value hard work and consistency, and I encourage my players to carry those values into their daily lives.
How do you balance the discipline of fitness with personal life, family, and wellbeing?
It’s not easy, but I have learned to balance through planning and discipline. Fitness itself teaches you how to manage time and energy. I make sure to dedicate time to family and personal wellbeing, because a strong coach must also be healthy and balanced.
What message do you have for South Sudanese women about the power of fitness in building confidence, resilience, and unity?
Fitness is more than exercise, it is empowerment. It builds confidence, resilience, and unity. When women train together, they support each other, break stereotypes, and show society that strength has no gender.
What gives you hope for the future of women in fitness and sports in South Sudan?
The growing number of women participating in sports gives me hope. I see more girls joining teams, more women stepping into leadership roles because we now have 5 women coaches , and more communities beginning to accept women in sports. That progress inspires me to keep pushing forward.
How do you envision your role in the next five years, both as a coach and as a mentor for the next generation of women in fitness?
In the next five years, I see myself continuing to coach at higher levels maybe internationally and officially starting a mentorship program for young women. Many already look up to me, and I want to create a structured way to guide them. My vision is to build a generation of strong, confident women who see fitness not just as sport, but as a way of life.
Utilities
“The growing number of women participating in sports gives me hope. I see more girls joining teams, more women stepping into leadership roles because we now have 5 women coaches.”- Lilian Prima, a fitness coach.