All About Noel Deyzel (Birth to Now)

Noel Deyzel, often called “Daddy Noel,” is a South African IFBB heavyweight bodybuilder, fitness entrepreneur, YouTuber, and social media influencer. Born on September 30, 1984 in Johannesburg, he went from being bullied for his skinny, tall frame to transforming his life through bodybuilding at age 21.

Full Name	Noel Deyzel
Born	Kempton Park, Johannesburg, South Africa (September 30, 1984)
Nationality	South African
Occupation	Bodybuilder, Fitness Influencer, YouTuber, Entrepreneur, Software Engineer
Education	Private College (Telecommunications)
Height	6’3” – 6’4” (190–193 cm)
Weight	Previously 310–315 lbs (140–143 kg), current approx. 260 lbs (118 kg)
Team/Brand	Rise (Co-Owner), Young LA (Athlete)
Pro Card	does not currently hold an IFBB Pro Card
Social Media	TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat
Years Active	Social media growth since ~2020
Residence	Moves between South Africa, USA, and Dubai
Business	Founder & Owner of a Software Engineering Company (16+ years)
Languages	Afrikaans (childhood), English (school/later life)
First Competition	Placed 2nd (Date unknown)
Second Competition	Placed 1st in class, 2nd overall (2019, South Africa)
Known For	Inspirational fitness videos, mental health advocacy, positive mindset, daily TikTok content, “Daddy Noel” pose

Before you read: This article is 100% accurate, based only on Noel Deyzel’s own words from podcasts and videos. No outside sources were used. All sources are listed at the end of the article.

Early Life and Family Background

Noel Deyzel was born in Kempton Park Hospital in South Africa a hospital now known for being abandoned and rumored to be haunted. At the time he was born, there were unusual events happening there. A man, pretending to be a doctor, was delivering babies without being qualified, and sadly, many children went missing. Despite the strange and scary stories surrounding the hospital, Noel’s life was spared.

His childhood was shaped by difficult circumstances. His parents separated when he was still young due to domestic issues, and his mother raised him and his sister alone. Life was financially hard. They lived with very little money and had to manage with hand-me-down clothes. Even though they faced many challenges, his mother did her best to support them, and Noel admired her strength and dedication. This early experience of struggle deeply influenced his mindset and later motivated him to work hard and build a better future.

Personality as a Child

As a young child, Noel first attended a preschool called Filant, which means “Fairyland” in Afrikaans. He found the name a bit embarrassing. Until the age of four, he only spoke Afrikaans, but after moving to an English-speaking primary school, he quickly adjusted and continued his education in English.

Noel was a bright, driven, and active child. He excelled in academics and sports, earning several honors and leadership roles. He was not just a participant but a leader becoming Head Boy, Fire Captain, Head of Scara Patrol, and even earning the title of Victor Lorum, which is given to the top all-round sports performer. These early signs of leadership and excellence were a clear indication of his inner drive and potential.

High School Life and Early Interests

During high school, Noel began to change his focus. He moved away from sports and started spending time with a different crowd. Wanting to be seen as “cool,” he shifted his interests to skateboarding. They started producing music and even hosted events at school, gaining popularity among their peers.

However, while skateboarding, Noel broke his arm badly and had to get steel plates inserted. Doctors warned him that he may never lift weights again. But being determined, he didn’t give up. In fact, he continued skating even with his arm in a cast, which unfortunately made the injury worse. This injury became a major obstacle, but it didn’t stop him in the long run.

Early Gym Experience

Noel’s first real introduction to the gym came through a high school friend whose dad also trained. He was around 16 or 17 years old at the time. Excited but inexperienced, he joined his friend for a full upper body workout. However, the session was far too intense for a beginner. Noel pushed himself too hard and ended up with extreme muscle soreness. For days, he couldn’t even turn his head to look at his teacher in class he had to move his whole body just to face people. The experience was so painful that it scared him away from the gym, and he gave up for a while.

Career Before Social Media

Alongside school, Noel took part-time classes at a private college, where he studied telecommunications. So by the time he graduated high school, he already had a qualification.

He then tried working with his father in a cellphone store, but it didn’t go well. He returned to Johannesburg and joined a family business. He started at the bottom as a technical assistant, moved up to technical manager, and finally found his path in field marketing, where he learned valuable lessons in sales and business.

Later, Noel founded a software engineering company, which he still runs today. The company builds custom mobile and web applications for businesses. With over 16 years of experience, he became known for problem-solving and creating smart solutions through technology.

Motivation to Join the Gym Again

At around age 23, Noel went through a painful breakup. He felt alone, had no friends, and suddenly had lots of free time. This emotional low point became the moment he decided to go back to the gym and take it seriously. From that point onward, he trained consistently, going six to seven days a week without fail.

His decision to return to fitness wasn’t just about looks it was about regaining control, building confidence, and improving his mental health. It was a turning point that started his real transformation, both physically and mentally.

From Bullying to Bodybuilding

As a tall but very skinny teenager, weighing just 140 pounds (64 kg), Noel often faced bullying. He was teased with names like “electric cord,” “ramen z,” and was regularly mocked for his small frame. These insults stuck with him and created a deep motivation to change.

As he trained hard and started gaining muscle, the same people who once laughed at him began calling him the “big guy.” This change in how others saw him gave Noel even more fuel to keep going. Fitness became not just a hobby but a way to build self-worth.

Bodybuilding and Competitions

Although Noel had no initial plans to compete, a friend involved in the bodybuilding world noticed his potential and encouraged him to try. He said Noel had great genetics and could benefit greatly from the experience. Wanting to earn respect from other sponsored athletes, Noel agreed to step on stage.

He competed in two shows:

1. First Show: He came second, despite being very lean and conditioned. However, he felt over-dieted and had lost too much muscle. The show was postponed, which meant his prep lasted even longer, causing him to become “flat” on stage.
2. Second Show (2019): This time, he won first place in his category and second overall. Even though he expected to weigh around 107–108 kg, he dropped down to 99 kg the day of the show after doing a water cut. It was a shock and disappointment, but he still performed well.

These competitions gave Noel new confidence and helped him take his fitness journey to the next level.

Beginning on Social Media

Before the pandemic, Noel had been posting on Instagram, mostly typical fitness photos. But during COVID-19 lockdowns, he began creating short educational videos on TikTok and other platforms. His content exploded in popularity.

People loved his:

• Foreign accent
• LED-lit gym background
• Simple fitness tips
• Strong, positive message
• Mysterious but calming style of speaking

Even his injury, which forced him to wear a sling, became part of his brand identity giving rise to the “Daddy Noel pose.”

He posted content every day for over 700 days straight, and his follower count skyrocketed, especially among younger audiences aged 16 to 25.

Mental Health and Positive Messaging

After gaining followers, Noel noticed a big interest in mental health, especially from younger people affected by the pandemic. Seeing the need, he started sharing messages about mental strength, discipline, and not being a victim of your past.

He believes:

“Strong mind, strong body. It’s all about choices — to stay down or to rise above.”

Noel often talks about his own struggles being raised poor, being bullied, and feeling unworthy. But he didn’t let those things define him. Instead, he used them as fuel to create a better life.

Sponsorships and Influencer Growth

At first, Noel was sponsored by a South African supplement company, but it only gave free products no salary. He felt pressure to fit in with other athletes, which helped push him to compete.

As his influence grew, he eventually became a co-owner of Rise, and also partnered with Young LA, working only with brands he truly believed in. Meeting his heroes like Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman were surreal moments for him. Jay, especially, was his childhood idol, and he described him as kind, humble, and exactly the role model he had hoped for.

Life in South Africa vs. the USA

Noel explained that living in South Africa came with serious challenges high crime, limited job opportunities, and low disposable income. People often live with constant fear, like being carjacked or robbed. These worries take up mental space and drain creativity.

In contrast, living in the United States allows him to focus, create freely, and live without fear. He feels much more productive and free to chase his goals.

Overcoming Fear of Cameras

Noel was once terrified of speaking in front of a camera. Even as a child, he would run away when a family camcorder came out. He had a fear of public speaking, and even when invited to speak on stage at The Arnold, he felt nervous and shaky.

But just minutes before going on stage, he reminded himself how far he had come and used that energy to fuel his excitement. Over time, with practice and pushing himself, he overcame his fears and became confident in front of the camera.

Surgery, Setbacks, and Recovery

Recently, Noel underwent surgery for a hernia and abdominal separation (diastasis recti). After recovery, doctors discovered that some of the internal stitches had come undone, and the defect returned. Around the same time, Noel also lost his close friend Joe, making it an emotionally heavy period.

Not wanting to go through surgery again, he researched and began doing core-strengthening exercises used by pregnant women. These helped tighten his waist and improve the condition naturally. Though there’s still some swelling, he feels better and continues to recover step by step.

Future Plans and Transformation Goals

Although his original plan was to compete again, Noel has now put that on temporary hold. Instead, he wants to focus on achieving the best aesthetic shape of his life not just size, but a balanced and healthy look.

He calls it a “mock prep” going through a full transformation without stepping on stage. His goal is to feel good, look great, and continue inspiring others with his content.

Summary

Noel Deyzel, a South African fitness influencer, was raised by his single mother in a poor household alongside his sister. Bullied in his youth for being extremely skinny, he found confidence through fitness after a painful breakup at age 23, leading him to train daily and transform his body and mindset. He first tried the gym in high school but quit after a bad experience.

Later, he competed in two bodybuilding shows, placing second in the first and first in the second. Before fame, he worked in tech and still runs his own software company. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Noel’s short, simple fitness videos went viral, gaining millions of young followers across TikTok and Instagram. He became known for his educational content, calm delivery, and inspiring messages about mental health, discipline, and self-growth.

Sponsored by major brands like Young LA and Rise (where he became co-owner), he has shared his journey of overcoming fear, surgery challenges, and personal loss. Today, he focuses on getting into his best shape ever and inspiring others to rise above challenges and build a stronger body and mind.

His powerful message:

“Life is full of hard times. But what matters most is the choice we make — to stay down or rise up. You are stronger than you think.”

Article Source:

• https://youtu.be/9zDxUUX-G94?si=suraZFyt-KhtsUxW
• https://youtu.be/9zDxUUX-G94?si=suraZFyt-KhtsUxW

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