DUBAI // After 14 years spent behind a desk crunching numbers, Fahad Al Hammadi knew the time was right to make a change for the better.
The former banker, who had watched his weight balloon to 145 kilogrammes, decided to give up the comfort of a monthly salary, pension and the other benefits that come with a government job and put his health first.
The 32-year-old Emirati now works full-time as a personal trainer and fitness coach and weighs in at a much trimmer 92kg.
His lifestyle change began when he joined the UAE boxing team in 2009.
“It was the only place I could let out my energy,” he said. “It taught me a lot of discipline and this was the thing I really committed to.
“I would turn up on time, wouldn’t go out with my friends.
“It was the first thing I was really good at and it made me feel good about myself,” said Mr Al Hammadi, who went on to gain qualifications in strongman training and personal training in 2013.
But his decision to quit the office job was not without its doubters, with many of his friends and family critical of his choice of career even to this day.
“My family still don’t see this as a proper career and think I’m crazy, that I’ve lost it,” said Mr Al Hammadi.
“Even from close friends, I still have a lot of negativity and I don’t have the support I’d like.
“I’m in a constant war with my passion and convincing my community that I want to do this. Life isn’t about a pension or security, but about doing what we truly want to do.”
He said working in the health and fitness industry is still perceived as low career by many people in his community.
“It comes from an egoistic culture.
“We’ll never see an Emirati taxi driver or someone pumping petrol like you see in somewhere like Oman or Bahrain.
“For the family, it affects their pride that I’m training the people I train like it’s a service industry job and I shouldn’t be doing it because I’m local.
“My dad said this is a job for expatriates, and to the family, a bigger, better thing is a government job.”
But Mr Al Hammadi is used to doing his own thing and not being swayed by the opinions and desires of others.
His choice to study sound engineering at university in Canada, where he waited tables and took several service industry jobs to fund his lifestyle, created problems with his family in the UAE.
“I was sent to study business, but my passion was music, so I did sound engineering. My father wouldn’t speak to me for months when he found out,” he said.
Such attitudes put pressure on young Emiratis when it comes to them choosing a career path. “Many of them are working for the government just to maintain their lifestyle – the car, the travel. They’re not happy. If you’re doing something you don’t like, you’re not going to work hard or work well. There’s a big difference between a job and a career.”
Despite not earning a banker’s salary, Mr Al Hammadi said the money he earns, although meagre in comparison, means so much more. “Now, I value every penny I’ve worked for,” he said.
mswan@thenational.ae
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
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Rating: 3/5
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Tips for entertaining with ease
· Set the table the night before. It’s a small job but it will make you feel more organised once done.
· As the host, your mood sets the tone. If people arrive to find you red-faced and harried, they’re not going to relax until you do. Take a deep breath and try to exude calm energy.
· Guests tend to turn up thirsty. Fill a big jug with iced water and lemon or lime slices and encourage people to help themselves.
· Have some background music on to help create a bit of ambience and fill any initial lulls in conversations.
· The meal certainly doesn’t need to be ready the moment your guests step through the door, but if there’s a nibble or two that can be passed around it will ward off hunger pangs and buy you a bit more time in the kitchen.
· You absolutely don’t have to make every element of the brunch from scratch. Take inspiration from our ideas for ready-made extras and by all means pick up a store-bought dessert.
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