She takes the field by storm as she stands sternly and seriously before her small team. She doesn’t budge for complaints and won’t succumb to pressure. She’s known to be the girl with an iron fist, encouraging both men as well as women to hit the field with her unique mix of exercises and workout routines. If you train with her, you are definitely taken seriously amongst the greater crowd of athletes. Samira Khalil stands out on her own as a certified Cheerobics Master Trainer—only one in Egypt and the Middle East, Crossfit L1 trainer, Jumping Fitness instructor, and a certified group fitness instructor. Being a fitness nutrition specialist as well, she also makes sure you stay healthy while you work out. Samira knows her clients well, befriends them, personalizes their workout routines and makes sure that they don’t get injured. This is precisely why she can only train a small group of people; to offer them her undivided attention.

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Her life literally revolves around her work. Samira’s busy day is split up between training different groups for 5/6 hours a day, office work for 3 hours, and one hour of her own workout routine where she self-tests new combinations and moves before introducing them to her groups. Because of her continuous growth and increasing interest in learning new techniques and further developing her workout routines, Identity sought to interview Samira for the second time to catch up with her latest news.

WHEN DID YOUR JOURNEY TO BE FIT AND HEALTHY BEGIN?

My own life journey to be fit and healthy began when I was overweight and unhappy during college. I always believed that my genes and family history played the major role in how I look. However I came to realize that my eating habits, lifestyle and nutrition played the biggest part. I knew back then that it’s not easy to change my life, but I look at myself right now–it didn’t torture me either but on the contrary I have gained control and power in a way I have never anticipated.

WHAT DID YOU STUDY AND HOW DID YOU START YOUR CAREER?

I graduated from the faculty of Economics and Political Science in 2009 and worked for several companies including petroleum services, football merchandising and software development. I was never satisfied with what I was doing; I have always loved sports and knew that working out was my passion. Eventually, I decided to take the risk and quit the corporate world for good to follow my passion in fitness, health and wellness.

WHAT’S YOUR GOAL?

My goal is to help and teach every one around me how to be fit & healthy; my goal is to make people happy with their own lives. I want them to “focus” on their physical capabilities. Physical training is not only about weight loss and body shape, it promotes commitment, hard work, perseverance and integrity. My job is not a traditional one; it’s my passion. My clients are my main focus and I strive to make their life better everyday.

CAN YOU TELL ME WHY YOU CHOOSE TO TRAIN SMALL GROUPS AND THE REASON BEHIND THE WAY YOU ORGANIZE YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINES?

As a trainer, it’s my responsibility to give the best possible care to my clients during my workout session and that’s mostly why I prefer small groups instead of larger numbers. I also use myself, not my clients, as a test pilot to develop a sense of the limits of human performance.

LAST TIME WE INTERVIEWED YOU, YOU TALKED ABOUT CHEEROBICS. THIS TIME, WE LEARNED THAT YOU PRACTICE A ROUTINE CALLED BODY SHRED, CAN YOU BRIEF US ABOUT THAT?

Body shred is a small group private training. It is high intensity interval training within a circuit format. It incorporates dynamic, functional everyday movements to maximize every human potential to live a healthy, active life.

HOW DO YOU MARKET YOURSELF? HOW DO PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT YOU?

I plan, develop and teach my workout programs very well. Success stories and positive word of mouth are the best advertising I can ever get. I don’t have time for real marketing and advertising.

EVEN THOUGH THIS IS SLOWLY CHANGING,  TRAINING IS STILL PERCEIVED IN THIS SOCIETY AS A MALE DOMINANT OCCUPATION. DID YOU FACE ANY CHALLENGES OR SET BACKS WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED?

I struggled in the beginning as a female personal trainer to make a statement that women can actually train men and achieve great results. In our male dominant society,  I saw people looking at me thinking “Why is she doing this” adding to it “You shifted your career to become a fitness trainer, isn’t it too risky?” Or even worse “So all you do is make people run and jump.” Sadly enough these statements came from the closest people. On the up side of it all, those statements gave me a greater push to work harder and prove that there are female trainers who also happen to be beautiful strong successful women (Not manly or bulky).

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?

Having my own wellness hub offering top quality fitness classes coupled with nutrition programs. Through this wellness hub I am hoping to help my clients become “well-rounded athletes.”