Discover the mindset shifts and insights that fuelled the rise from Marine to fitness visionary as we explore the journey of life coach Cyrus, fitness entrepreneur and co-founder of Boxicar Gym in Dubai. From a challenging past to a near-death experience in Afghanistan, Cyrus’s journey is one of resilience and transformation. Understand how he built a thriving gym community, drawing hundreds of members each month.

Key Highlights:

•Cyrus’s journey to the Marines at 16 and the mental toughness he gained.

•Building Boxicar Gym: His path from CrossFit Sands to a thriving gym community in Dubai with over 800 members

•The Crucible Competition: The ultimate fitness challenge and his role in it.

•Keys to Success: The power of hiring right, adapting to trends, and growth mindset.

•Global Expansion: His vision for expanding Boxcar and innovating in the fitness industry.

You can watch the full video here:
https://youtu.be/qm_tmdnKLmM

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In this episode of Steps I Took, Emmanuel takes us on an inspiring journey, starting from his childhood in Napoli to establishing his own tailoring business in Dubai. His story emphasises hard work, calculated risks and opportunities. Emmanuel sheds light on his experience with top-end hospitality businesses and how his upbringing helped shape his entrepreneurial spirit.

Topics covered:

• ⁠Leveraging hospitality skills to launch a bespoke tailoring business in Dubai

• Navigating and pivoting through the global pandemic

• Using faith to guide and transform life and business fortunes with a purpose

• Having a clear plan, understanding the market, and taking calculated risks.

• The challenges of entrepreneurship, balancing time management, tough decisions, and personal well-being.

You can watch the full video here:
https://youtu.be/sMAF19r_txU

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In this episode, entrepreneur Matthew Bridgeman shares his varied journey through event organising, business startups and fitness content creation. Having started a clothing line company at just 15 & hosted sold-out events globally at iconic venues including Ministry of Sound and Jazz Cafe, this one is not to be missed.

Key take-aways:

• Matthew's collaboration with GymShark and his journey of reviewing gyms worldwide

• The journey of selling out major events, showcasing Matthew’s expertise in event organisation.

• How setbacks, like venue incidents, have fuelled his growth and creativity.

• The idea and process of Matthew’s well-known drinking game "Bottoms Up"

• Touching on marketing, content creation and creating new business ventures

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You can watch the full video here:
https://youtu.be/kAkY0sGpXbg

In this episode of Steps I Took, Kirsty shares her remarkable story of evolving from a teacher to the visionary founder of "That Dubai Girl," which she later sold for six figures. She opens up about her mental health struggles, revealing how therapy and self-care became her anchors. Tune in to discover how Kirsty built a thriving community in Dubai and the powerful lessons she learned along the way.

Key Takeaways:

- Kirsty’s journey from teaching to creating "That Dubai Girl" and organizing major events in Dubai.

- How a family focus on experiences over possessions shaped her outlook.

- Her candid reflections on mental health and the transformative role of therapy following suicidal thoughts.

- The importance of building authentic connections, especially among women.

- Valuable business insights, including the significance of self-care and asking for help.

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Watch the full episode and all other episodes on Youtube here:
https://youtu.be/B520k_mw6vQ

In this episode of Steps I Took, Chris, the founder of Practical, shares his bold leap from corporate food marketing into the world of meal delivery. Discover how he built Practical into a thriving meal plan service with over 120 macro-balanced recipes, designed to make healthy eating affordable and accessible. Chris dives into the challenges of scaling his business, balancing quality with cost, and expanding to meet the needs of both individuals and offices through Practical Executive.

Key Takeaways:

• Chris’s journey from corporate food marketing to founding Practical, inspired by a need for affordable, healthy meals.
• How Practical offers more than 120 calorie-controlled, macro-balanced meals in various portion sizes.
• The challenges and strategies of scaling from 500 to 10,000 customers.
• Introduction of Practical Executive, aimed at providing consistent office meals year-round.
• Chris’s insights on building a sustainable business model through personal connections and passion.


You can use discount code: STEPSITOOK20 for 20% off your Practical orders! Click the link to make your order!

https://practical.me


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Watch the full episode and all other episodes on Youtube here:
https://youtu.be/FLFNZBGNEO0?si=82LvIti3P0WR2whr

In this powerful episode Emaan shares her inspiring journey from a strict Egyptian-American upbringing in California to founding the feminine health brand, Ketish. Emaan opens up about her rebellious spirit, overcoming a cervical cancer diagnosis at 21, and the hard-won lessons of navigating cultural expectations, business challenges, and personal growth. She offers invaluable insights into balancing intuition, boundaries, and authenticity, while now dedicating herself to supporting other founders.

Key Takeaways:

• Emaan's fight with cultural expectations and how it shaped her rebellious drive.
• How a cervical cancer diagnosis transformed her approach to feminine health and life.
• The highs and lows of founding and closing Ketish, and lessons learned about resilience.
• Practical advice on navigating business partnerships, setting boundaries, and listening to intuition.
• The importance of kindness, balance, and authenticity in both business and personal life.
  
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  Watch the full episode and all other episodes on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/VdERR2GLIOg
  
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In this episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of Michael, a former Marine turned successful entrepreneur in Dubai's fitness industry. From his early love for sports to rigorous Marine training, Michael's story is one of resilience, dedication, and community-building. He opens up about his transition to civilian life, the challenges of starting Athlete Fitness, and the values that have driven his success. Whether you're an aspiring coach, business owner, or fitness enthusiast, this episode is packed with insights on hard work, networking, and staying true to your beliefs.

Key Highlights:

• Michael's transformative journey from the Marines to founding Athlete Fitness in Dubai.
• The importance of mental resilience during intense Marine training and in business.
• How Michael built a thriving fitness community in just a few months.
• Overcoming business challenges and fostering strong partnerships.
• Advice for aspiring coaches and entrepreneurs on staying true to your values and building a supportive network.

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Watch the full episode and all other episodes on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/Ebq7NHFUbl4

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In the first episode of Steps I Took, Achasah and Jevanni sit down with Tyra Shakil, a successful businesswoman in Dubai. They cover:

• Tyra’s journey from a party lifestyle to focusing on fitness and personal growth, and how this shift helped her become a strong leader.
• Getting rid of the distractions and finding herself and her calling.
• The story behind landing major clients like Fix Chocolate and the effort it took to make it happen.
• The challenges of starting a business in the UAE and how to find balance between work and life.
• Tips on effective leadership, including how to handle tough situations like firing someone with respect.
• Insights on how women can be more mindful in both their careers and personal lives.
• The power of storytelling in building a brand and personal development.
  
  

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