Sport is Life - Fatma Al Shamsi

SPORT is LIFE

FATMA AL SHAMSI, AL AIN BASED EMIRATI TRANSFORMATIONAL COACH AND SPORTS ENTHUSIAST SHARES HER SPORTIING JOURNEY AND HOW IT CHANGED HER LIFE

Meeting in a popular coffee shop, Fatma stands as I approach and greets me warmly. Her enthusiasm is infectious as she shares that she has just been notified that she has won a Golden Heart award from Expo for her volunteering efforts.

“I love making a difference and really touching people’s lives. No matter who it is I meet during my day, I want to leave them feeling better after I leave. This is my passion. This is my goal, to spread happiness and help people realise their own value no matter what thier job or income. I loved being at expo and interacting with people from all around the world. It was such a privaliege to be part of something of that magnitude and have a platform to share our Emirati culture and to show the world that we can make a difference by working together.”

Sport is clearly a very big part of your life and philosophy for living.

“Sport for me is key as a catylist for change. As a transformational coach I work with people that are stuck in a particular area of their life. I find using sport in these situations help break through that barrier. Of course I am not suggesting that everyone starts competing at a professional level, but it is the physical movement that is key in moving forward in your life - literally.”

I am an avid follower of your instagram account @f.a.alshamsi and I see you compete a lot with a team of girls. “Yes, we are all Emirati girls that come from Al Ain. Friends first, that’s why we make such amazing team mates”

LIFE AS A TEAM

How did you get together as a sporting group?

“We started as cousins and our other friends joined us”

Tell us about your experiences at the Gov Games. What was the highlight?

"Gov games was one of our dream challenges. We never thought it would happen though as it was only for government employees. Under the vision of Sheikh Hamdan there was a community category added that we were elligable to compete in.

I can honestly say that we were not ready to compete at that level but we made it through the qulaifiers and ended up finishing 14th overall at the actual games so it was an incredible achievement for us. Now that we know what to expect we will train hard and we will be ready for next year."

Tell us about your experience at the recent Al Salam 109km Cycle Race through Dubai Desert.

"Cycling was a challenge for me because I was new to the sport. To be ready in only a few months for a race that far was really tough. We prepared and trained very hard for it. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. The wind was so strong in places we could not even see the track there was so much sand but we made it and I finished in the top 20 as an individual and came 4th in the race as a team which was a very proud achievement for all of us."

Do you feel that you are role models for other girls to join sports?

"I can say yes we are, as we inspiring many girls to join different kinds of sports. Specially when we post our achievements on social media. It is a way to make people know more about how you can add sports into your life."

What would you say to people that have never done sports before or don’t feel that they are sporty people and believe they cant do it?

"You are missing out. It may be hard in the beginning, but the effort is worth it. Not having sport in your life means missing out on a lot of happiness, a feeling of freedom. Sport becomes a kind of meditation to recharge your energy for the rest of the day."

"The support you get from your team, always there for you, shouting, wanting you to be your best. It is a special feeling, a special community. I hope that as many people as possible will join us."

For other Emirati girls that want to start doing more sports - what would be your advice?

"Just start and do it - you will love it. It is a challenge at the beginning to continue, but you will be proud of yourself in the end. And you will find it is a kind of addiction that you can’t stop doing it for rest of your life".

What are the biggest challenges you have faced so far in sports?

"Injuries. I injured my leg through over-training and had to stop doing what I loved for 6 months. That was my hardest challenge, to stop doing what I love to do everyday."

But it made me seek out other kinds of sports so in hindsight it was a positive thing.

So my suggestion is always to listen to your body and give the right rest and recovery. I was crazy to ignore the pain - I thought I would be fine but it only got worse. Love your body as much as you love the sports.'

Do you think the Al Ain community is ready to have more Emirati women sporting heroes?

'Sure we are all from Al Ain so if we can do it then any one can do it.'

How often do you train together?

'Everyday sometimes twice a day'

What are you biggest achievements so far as a team?

'Honestly there are too many to count now, but certainly two of the biggest are the Gov Games and the Al Salam Desert Cycling race.'

What do you hope to achieve for 2022 as a team and beyond?

'First to break our own records, we aim to get the podium in NAS challenge, and to do better in Gov Games. For me personally I would like to challenge my self and do the full ADNOC marathon in Dec as I just recently completed my first half marathon.'.

You have spoken a lot of sporting life as a team, I would like to know more about you presonally.

INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS

What made you start out in sport ?

'I have always been a sporty person but started getting more serious about it through team encouragement.'

What are your biggest achievements so far as an individual?

'My 109km cycling at Al Salam champion And my 21km RAK marathon.'

Have you always liked sports and been active?

'Yes when I was a kid I loved gymnastics and volleyball.'

Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of sports?

'My speaking career takes up the remainder of my time. Inspiring others to achieve their goals.'

Which strengths do you believe you have that make you a great athlete?

'To achieve anything in life you need determination and perseverance. It is no different in sport and I have both of those qualities. Once my mind is made up there is nothing I cannot achieve.'

What does your daily routine look like?

'I get up at 6.00 am and run between 5 and 10km before work. Afternoon training is either cycling or a gym workout. What time is left I devote to family and friends.'

Which sport is your favorite to play?

'Running, cycling and volleyball will always be high on my list.

I also love cross fit as it has many movements and challenges that never end and does not have a fixed routine.'