Jesse Akister’s fitness journey began when she injured herself in 2008 and a doctor told her that it would happen again if she did not strive to become fit.
The strength and rehabilitation coach from Australia was a flight attendant at the time, and what began as an attempt to stay healthy for work turned into an insatiable quest for knowledge on strength training, functional movement and holistic wellness, especially for women.
The “obsession”, says Ms Akister, 37, co-founder of The Shero Life, a membership-based women’s holistic fitness community in the UAE, changed the course of her career.
After gaining several coaching certificates and teaching group classes part-time, while also flying for seven years and holding an office job thereafter, she quit her corporate role in 2019 to focus on building her own practice.
“When I started coaching 10 years back, there was a shortage of female coaches in the UAE, so I found an opportunity to create and lead women’s programmes at gyms. I would train in the morning and after my day job, train clients in the evening,” says Ms Akister, who moved to the UAE in 2007.
“I was working so hard in two places when I could have made the same money if I just dedicated my entire time to coaching and that is when I made the transition.
“The Shero Life is an extension of what I was trying to create with my programmes at the gyms, but make it more accessible and help women make sustainable lifestyle changes.”
When not training her clients or developing new initiatives for The Shero Life community, Ms Akister spends time with books and podcasts at her apartment in Damac Hills, Dubai.
How did money feature in your childhood?
My family did not have a lot of money. We were never hungry and always had a roof over our head, but we could never take extravagant holidays or own fancy things.
I grew up with the belief that you must work very hard all your life to get by. My father is in his early 60s and still works just as much because he cannot afford not to.
Did you start working at an early age?
I moved out of home when I was 18. My first job was at a supermarket and then I worked at a fashion retail shop. My pay was enough for food and rent.
For several years, my meals would be pasta with a little olive oil and garlic. I would put some tuna in it if I had some extra cash.
My mother paid the tuition for make-up school but I was responsible for all the other expenses. I managed to live frugally then. But when I moved to the UAE, my lifestyle changed drastically.
How did your new lifestyle affect your expenses?
A credit card was the worst thing that happened to me because I did not know how to budget and was spending beyond my means and not saving anything.
I had seen so much hardship before this that a credit card made me feel like I could buy anything. I racked up a massive debt. It was only when I started being harassed by debt collectors that I woke up to my scary reality.
I had also decided to quit flying in 2013 and knew I would be earning less. I was forced to change the way I lived.
How did you manage to overcome that financial adversity?
I sold everything that I had and rented a room in a friend’s villa. A few friends bailed me out of debt and I went back to living a more measured life.
It helped that I had shifted my focus to fitness, so I spent most of my time training and coaching. I was surrounded by people who did not consider materialistic possessions and expensive outings a priority.
How did The Shero Life come about?
I met my business partner, Ray Lilani, when I was a coach at a Dubai gym and we connected instantly. I joined his fitness gear and media services company Generation Strong and within a few months proposed the idea of The Shero Life.
I spent many years becoming technically good at what I do. However, I lacked the business acumen to start my own venture and had no money. Teaming up with Ray helped to fill that gap.
Was The Shero Life affected by the pandemic?
In 2019, we started as an educational platform, and ran events, workshops and seminars with experts in holistic living, movement and nutrition.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, it created a lot of pent-up demand for in-person, community classes. So, we started eight-week training camps in February 2021. Our coaches lead small-group strength, conditioning and skills classes for women every day.
The programme is tailored for women so that they achieve maximum results with three hours each day and live pain-free. We also organise community events every month that range from a book club and nutritional challenges to discussions with experts on emotional eating, breathwork, pelvic floor issues and topics that affect women.
Members also receive a Shero card with exclusive discounts at more than 25 partners, including medical clinics, supplements and physiotherapy. The aim is to make holistic and sustainable living cheaper.
Did you have any financial concerns when you decided to start this venture?
We set this up in a way that I was earning enough to cover my rent. I had kept on some of my private clients and had some savings in the bank.
I knew I would not be earning a lot in the first few years of the business as all profits had to be reinvested for business development, staff and diversification. It did make me nervous because I could have been comfortably earning in a full-time position.
But then I would remind myself that I did not have the commitment of a family and children, so I did not have anything to lose either.
How is the business doing now?
This year has been good and I am finally at a place where we are making a profit and seeing growth every month. This affects how much I earn, and I can save and think about investing.
I had seen so much hardship before this that a credit card made me feel like I could buy anything
Jesse Akister,
co-founder of The Shero Life
How has your financial outlook changed over the years?
For the longest time, my relationship with money was not great. Financial literacy was not part of my upbringing and I started learning about investments and making money work for you in my 30s.
I don’t live with a scarcity mindset any more. I know money comes when I need it and I can work less and earn more. I have worked hard to grow as a coach and continue to do so, and have learnt how to ask for what I deserve.
What investments are you considering?
I am working towards my financial independence. I am currently learning about diverse investments so that even during challenging times at work, I will be able to live comfortably. I am also looking into buying property.
What was your last big spend?
I look to spend on experiences with family and friends and making my home warm and welcoming.
My last spend was a ticket back to Australia to see my family, and it was worth every penny.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%C2%A0Francis%20Lawrence%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3ERachel%20Zegler%2C%20Peter%20Dinklage%2C%20Viola%20Davis%2C%20Tom%20Blyth%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
What is the Supreme Petroleum Council?
The Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council was established in 1988 and is the highest governing body in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry. The council formulates, oversees and executes the emirate’s petroleum-related policies. It also approves the allocation of capital spending across state-owned Adnoc’s upstream, downstream and midstream operations and functions as the company’s board of directors. The SPC’s mandate is also required for auctioning oil and gas concessions in Abu Dhabi and for awarding blocks to international oil companies. The council is chaired by Sheikh Khalifa, the President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is the vice chairman.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic
Power: 375bhp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh332,800
On sale: now
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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'Lost in Space'
Creators: Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Irwin Allen
Stars: Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Maxwell Jenkins
Rating: 4/5
Sunday:
GP3 race: 12:10pm
Formula 2 race: 1:35pm
Formula 1 race: 5:10pm
Performance: Guns N' Roses
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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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
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWest%20Asia%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Bahrain%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Jebel%20Ali%20Dragons%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%201%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Harlequins%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%202%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%20III%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDubai%20Sevens%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Sweet%20Tooth
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Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
