As a fitness instructor, you already know the value of strength, discipline, and resilience. You spend your days guiding women through workouts that build their bodies and boost their confidence. You empower your clients not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, teaching them that fitness is a holistic journey.
But there’s one challenge that may take your understanding of empowerment to a whole new level: the Trials & Tribulations challenge.
This isn’t your typical fitness event. It’s a muddy, gruelling challenge designed to simulate the hardships faced by refugees. But here’s the twist—participants are encouraged to take on the challenge in full Muslim dress. I can imagine your initial reaction might mirror mine: scepticism, reluctance, maybe even outright dismissal.
But let me tell you why this challenge will change your mind—and your perspective.
Breaking down reluctance
At first, the idea of tackling a physically demanding obstacle course while wearing an abaya seems impractical, even counterintuitive. After all, as a fitness instructor, you understand the importance of appropriate sportswear for mobility and safety.
But this challenge isn’t about optimising your performance or showcasing your athleticism. It’s about stepping outside your comfort zone, not just physically but emotionally, to empathise with the struggles of women who don’t have the luxury of choosing their attire or circumstances.
When you approach the Trials & Tribulations challenge with an open mind, you’ll begin to see it as more than just an obstacle course. It’s an act of solidarity, a chance to symbolically walk in the shoes of women who carry their dignity and faith through unimaginable hardship.
Strength redefined
As a fitness professional, you know that strength is often about pushing your limits. But this challenge will redefine what strength means to you.
Imagine trudging through mud and scaling walls, not in performance gear, but in an abaya that you cherish. It’s not just physically demanding—it’s humbling. That abaya, heavy with mud and water, becomes a poignant symbol of the burdens refugee women carry daily.
This challenge will remind you that strength isn’t only about how fast you can run or how high you can climb. It’s about resilience, perseverance, and the courage to embrace discomfort for a greater purpose.
A journey of empathy
One of the most profound aspects of the Trials & Tribulations challenge is its ability to foster empathy. As you crawl through the mud and wade through freezing water, you’ll gain a glimpse—just a tiny one—of the struggles faced by women in crisis.
The women you’ll think of—Palestinian mothers in Gaza, Syrian refugees trekking to safety, or Rohingya women navigating flooded camps—don’t have the option of functional sportswear or a clear finish line. They carry not just their belongings, but their families, their faith, and their hope for a better future.
Participating in this challenge isn’t about replicating their experience but about honouring their resilience. It’s a reminder that fitness and strength extend beyond gym walls—they’re about standing in solidarity with those who endure unimaginable trials.
Why you’ll be glad you joined
If you’re still on the fence, I’ll tell you this: the Trials & Tribulations challenge will change how you see yourself, your work, and your community.
When you take part, you’ll discover strength you didn’t know you had. You’ll feel a deep sense of connection to the women this challenge is meant to honour. And most importantly, you’ll inspire others—your clients, your colleagues, and your community—to embrace challenges that push boundaries and build empathy.
So, will you step outside your comfort zone? Will you trade your gym trainers for muddy boots and take on a challenge that will leave you physically exhausted but spiritually uplifted?
I believe you will. And when you cross that finish line, covered in mud and smiling through the aches, you’ll realise that this wasn’t just another event. It was a journey of transformation.