How breast cancer made this expat take up Dubai Fitness Challenge

When the Dubai Fitness Challenge kicked off on Friday, Hassanie made it a point to change up her approach to getting fit.

After life challenged me, I chose to challenge life." That's what Natalia Hassanie told Khaleej Times when talking about her decision to accept the Dubai Fitness Challenge.
It was a breast cancer diagnosis in 2013 that saw Hassanie convert from gym virgin to a gym bunny. And after getting the "all clear" in 2015, her journey has been about inspiring other cancer survivors to get into fitness.
"I saw the Dubai Fitness Challenge as a perfect platform to spread my message of hope. Prior to my diagnosis I never did fitness. I had never been to a gym. But what I realised is that fitness is mentally and emotionally stimulating too. That is crucial when you are battling something like cancer."
Today, Hassanie is no stranger to pushing her limits. Just over a year after undergoing a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, she challenged herself to take part in 4km obstacle race. And since then, she hasn't looked back.
"In November 2016, I took part in the Spartan challenge and finished in 2.5 hours. That was my second challenge and that's when it became addictive. I then went on to do an obstacle race at Al Qudra Lakes which I completed in one hour, and then in February of this year I did my second Spartan race in Abu Dhabi. I finished in 56 minutes. My fitness levels have skyrocketed since my journey began."
When the Dubai Fitness Challenge kicked off on Friday, Hassanie made it a point to change up her approach to getting fit. In addition to her normal daily gym routine, she restarted some meditation sessions and adopted a clean eating approach to her nutrition.
"My advice to anyone going through hard times is try your best to change your mindset. Be around the right people and stop saying 'I wish I did this or that'. Just do it."
From that shock cancer diagnosis in 2013, the mother-of-three has battled anxiety and depression. But instead of taking pills to remedy her symptoms, she said it's exercise that has helped her most.
"I started my own initiative called 'Positive Performance', which incorporates all the elements of fitness, yoga, and mindfulness into one. It's helped me and many others, so I want to continue on that journey here in Dubai. The more you move, the more you oxygenate yourself and that helps with self healing. So there is no excuse not to get active."

Top five things to do today

1-A friendly game of beach cricket
What: Beach Cricket (friendly match)
Where: Kite Beach  Time: 5pm  Duration: 60min
Description: After a friendly game of cricket on the golden sands of Kite Beach, cricket enthusiasts can also learn cricket bowling, drills as well as polish fielding skills.
2-Get a kick out of football on the sand
What: Beach Soccer (children - skills workshop)
Where: Kite Beach  Time: 1pm  Duration: 90min
Description: Encourage children to learn the tricks of the trade when it comes to soccer on the beach. From footwork techniques to dribbling skills, this is a great workout, but fun too.
3-Setting it up for a game of volleyball
What: Beach Volleyball
Where: Kite Beach  Time: 1pm  Duration: 60min
Description: Join this warm-up session and learn how to master the art of 'volleyball overhead pass' as well as the best way to stretch before and after a game.
4-Animal Flow can unleash some great moves
What: Animal Flow;  Where: Main stage (Kite Beach);  Time: 2.45pm  Duration: 30min
Description: Animal Flow is an innovative fitness programme that combines quadrupedal and ground-based movement with elements from body weight-training for movements.
5-Watch creative football freestylers in action
What: Football Freestylers Show
Where: Main Stage (Kite Beach)
Time: 5.25pm  Duration: 25min
Description: Watch some of the most creative football freestylers in action and join the fun with yourself in action.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai Fitness Challenge