Rebuilding Life at a Saudi Gym: A Martial Arts Journey

A New Beginning

At 4:50 in the morning I woke up tired but ready. This wasn’t just another workout; this was a pivotal moment in my journey. It was my first day back in a Saudi gym, and my first step toward rebuilding my life in a way that felt meaningful and fulfilling.

The past year had been brutal, filled with twists and turns that left me feeling lost. Divorce. Losing my job and the stability that came with it. My savings gone, a hard-earned safety net shredded overnight. Being told to leave the country, facing the uncertainty of where to go next, and spending months unemployed in Tunisia before finally landing a new contract felt like a chain of unfortunate events pulling me down. The weight of it all had become almost unbearable.

All of that brought me here, to this moment. To the gym, which felt like a sanctuary away from all the chaos. To martial arts, a practice that offered discipline and focus amidst the storm. To a fresh start, a chance to redefine who I was and who I could become. I recalled how I had once felt vibrant and strong, ready to take on the world, and I was determined to feel that way again.

The Training Session

By 6:00, the coach unlocked the doors. The smell of the mats and faint sounds of equipment being moved welcomed me. We started running, and I could feel my heart racing, adrenaline pumping through my veins. Then the jump rope came into play. I didn’t really know how, so I pretended until the coach handed me one and told me to try. I stumbled, laughed at myself, and kept going, my determination outweighing my embarrassment. Each jump was a small victory.

Shadowboxing came next, a moment that felt incredibly liberating. Moving. Breathing. Shaking the nerves off became my mantra; it allowed me to focus on the rhythm of my body, feeling the energy flow through me. I imagined all the negativity of the past year being reflected in the punches I threw.

When we hit the bags, the coach corrected my stance right away. “Elbows in. Protect yourself.” He tucked a glove under my arm to keep me disciplined, reminding me that the training was as much mental as it was physical. Jab after jab, slowly, it started to click, and I found myself falling into a rhythm, a dance of power and precision.

With a partner, I worked on simple combos: Jab. Jab. Cross. Hook. Add defense. Add movement. My partner was patient, encouraging me with each attempt. The coach was firm, pushing me to dig deeper into my potential. I started feeling something real, a sense of accomplishment that I hadn’t felt in a long time. Each successful move felt like a brick being laid in the foundation of my comeback.

The Struggle

We finished with high-intensity drills that challenged every fiber of my being. Punch, block, push-ups. Punch, block, squats. Punch, block, sit-ups. My body was on fire, my muscles screaming with every movement. My arms burned. Sweat stung my eyes, blurring my vision of the mirror ahead. Every muscle begged me to quit, to surrender to exhaustion.

But I didn’t; I pushed through the pain, channeling my inner strength. Because this wasn’t just training. This was me proving to myself that I could still rise. Each drop of sweat was a testament to my resilience, the embodiment of my refusal to back down.

The fight inside me ignited a passion I thought I had lost, a resilience that mirrored the challenges I had overcome. There was a voice inside yelling that I could surge ahead if I only kept believing in my strength. It felt empowering and invigorating.

The Lesson

In this journey of fitness, I've learned that it is only the surface. For me, training has become synonymous with discipline. Focus. Healing. Every punch is a reminder that I’m still standing, that I have the power to shape my own destiny despite the setbacks I have faced.

Looking Ahead

I took the bus home, my mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead, showered, feeling rejuvenated, and got ready for my evening jiu-jitsu class. Balancing teaching with training won’t be easy; it’s a challenge that requires dedication and perseverance. But this is the road I’ve chosen, a path that promises growth and discovery.

Day One Lesson

The first day is never about perfection. It’s about showing up, embracing the journey no matter how difficult it may be. Some days will be harder than others, but every effort counts. The progress may be slow, but as long as I keep moving forward, that’s all that matters.

Day One Morning Complete. The road starts. I step forward, with hope and grit in my heart.

👉 Do you remember your first day stepping into the gym or starting something new? It’s often a mix of anxiety and excitement, but those feelings are where our greatest strengths are forged.