In a makeshift tent, stitched together using nylon sheets and pitched by the sea, Mohamed Hatem kneels on the sand to begin his daily push-ups. He has no gym, no home, no electricity and little to eat, but his discipline endures.
Amid war, displacement, destruction and famine in Gaza, Hatem is still training – not for aesthetics, but for strength, survival and maintaining his sanity.
The 19-year-old began his fitness journey in April 2024, just days after learning his family home had been destroyed in the Israeli bombardment of the enclave. He began filming and posting clips of his daily routine on Instagram as a way to "deliver our suffering and our struggles with the world, in a way you wouldn't expect to see", he told The National.
Hatem, who goes by the name "Gym Rat in Gaza" on social media, has amassed 355,000 followers who react to his fitness content with “love and support”, he said.
Among the wreckage and the rubble of Gaza, the Palestinian bodybuilder has posted videos of himself doing pull-ups on metal rods protruding from destroyed buildings, as well as push-ups using discarded water containers. He has documented his attempts at achieving a bench press personal record and learning new calisthenics skills such as the back lever. "With discipline, everything is possible," he said with a smile.
Apart from aiming to inspire people to work out, his fitness content has also helped to change the public perception of Palestinians in Gaza, he said. "When they see how dedicated I am to this, they know for a fact that Gazans are ambitious people who are not giving up what they love or want to pursue in life, despite the circumstances," he explained.
Hatem hopes his efforts have a lasting impact on people's lives beyond social media. He runs an online coaching business and creates personalised fitness plans for his clients, who are based in Switzerland, France, Germany, Spain and even Australia.
With no reliable internet service at the displacement camp where he lives, he also documents his daily treks to charge and connect his phone so he can send messages to clients and upload new videos.
"Whenever I get internet, I text everyone I'm coaching to check on them. Then I go back to my tent, review their answers and set their plans," he explained. "It's very challenging, but I still give it my best to help my clients make progress."
Hatem's own progress has been affected significantly by the dire situation in Gaza. Israel's blockade on the enclave has led to severe food shortages and starvation, with more than 190 people dying of hunger since the war began in October 2023.
Most food items are either too expensive or simply unavailable. "I haven't had chicken or meat in months," he told The National.
The little aid that enters the embattled enclave is either "stolen or stopped in the danger zone and people have to go and risk their lives to get it", he said. "Everyone I know has significantly lost weight, including myself."
More than 1,700 Palestinians have been killed while waiting to receive aid in Gaza – at least 850 of them near distribution sites run by the US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the enclave's Health Ministry said.
I'm here to make people aware that, despite all of this going on, we're still ambitious and hard-working people
Mohamed Hatem,
Gazan fitness trainer
Without proper nutrition, Hatem said he had to reduce the volume, intensity and frequency of his training.
"I went from five days per week to three to none for a few weeks," he said. "I didn't have enough energy with the amount of food I ate, but I went back to exercising for my mental health. It's been a challenge, but I'm trying to not give up no matter how hard it gets".
His resilience has earned him praise from fitness enthusiasts all over the world, including one of his idols, Jeff Nippard. The prominent Canadian fitness influencer has reached out to Hatem to show his support.
"Talking to him and asking him questions was a dream come true. Truly unbelievable," Hatem said. "I followed him over two years ago, he always had the answers I needed for my fitness journey."
Beyond fitness, he dreams of an end to the war in Gaza and "for all this to be over". He hopes for a future where he will be able to follow his fitness dreams, build the physique he always wanted, grow his online coaching business and inspire millions to pursue a healthier lifestyle. Until then, he will keep pushing against the odds.
"I'm here to make people aware that, despite all of this going on, we're still ambitious and hard-working people," he said. "I'm still out here working out, making videos, coaching people and sharing the journey."
Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Monster Hunter: World
Capcom
PlayStation 4, Xbox One
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
MATCH INFO
Champions League last 16, first leg
Tottenham v RB Leipzig, Wednesday, midnight (UAE)
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Honeymoonish
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Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPurpl%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKarl%20Naim%2C%20Wissam%20Ghorra%2C%20Jean-Marie%20Khoueir%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHub71%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%20and%20Beirut%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E12%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%242%20million%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Barbie
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Jumanji: The Next Level
Director: Jake Kasdan
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas
Two out of five stars
Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
The biog
Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi
Age: 23
How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them
Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs
Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing
