Dishwasher to Marathoner

When Hamza Masmoudi arrived in the UAE in 2019 at the age of 22, his challenges were significant—he spoke no English, had limited education, and started life in the country as a dishwasher at a restaurant in Ras Al Khaimah.

At the time, even finding a stable place to live was difficult for him.

Fast forward to today, Hamza is a driven, globe-trotting athlete who thrives on pushing boundaries with extreme sports and ultramarathons.

Just last Friday, he completed the 42km Doha Marathon in an impressive 3 hours and 13 minutes.

"I started running just two years ago," Hamza told Khaleej Times.

"By 2023, I switched to long-distance running. I always seek to test and stretch my limits—I even ran five marathons in a single month.

Now, with a sponsorship from New Balance, I’m exploring incredible opportunities. I will be traveling to numerous countries for marathons and sporting events in 2025."

Hamza’s accomplishments include running 80km barefoot in March 2023, enduring a grueling 90km run in 45°C heat last July, and successfully completing the world’s hottest marathon in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, afterward.

From Dishwasher to Cook

Hamza’s first job in the UAE involved washing dishes—an exhausting role that required him to stay on his feet for hours.

However, his sharp observation skills helped him pick up the basics of cooking. "One day, the restaurant got incredibly busy, and the chef was struggling," he shared.

"I offered to prepare a dish myself and told him to serve it only if he was satisfied. He was so impressed that he promoted me to cook the very next day."

Hamza spent two years working as a cook but felt a strong pull toward something greater. "I always believed I was meant for something bigger," he said.

"I’m passionate about sports and wanted to help people through it. I also wanted to gain more knowledge about fitness. So, in 2021, I left my job and relocated to Dubai."

However, the move to Dubai brought its own set of hurdles. "At one point, I didn’t even have a permanent place to stay," Hamza recalled.

"Without the money for a gym membership, I started exercising in a park, practicing activities like parkour.

One day, a man approached me, impressed by my routine, and asked me to train him. The money he paid allowed me to rent a space and finally secure a place to live."

Turning Things Around

After landing his first client, Hamza’s career in personal training grew quickly. "At one point, I had over 20 clients," he revealed. "But I realized that pace wasn’t sustainable.

Now, I work with just five clients and devote the rest of my time solely to my own fitness."

Hamza’s current fitness routine includes two hours of stretching every morning and evening.

"I want to make sure I avoid injuries, so stretching is crucial," he said. "I also do daily ice baths and sauna sessions."

Hamza’s achievements have made his family incredibly proud. "It’s not just my family; my entire city takes pride in me," he shared.

"Last summer, when I visited Morocco, one of the country’s major TV channels invited me for an interview. Watching that episode with my family and neighbors was such a special moment."

Looking ahead, Hamza is collaborating with a former client to develop a home workout app. Through this project, he hopes to inspire and guide others on their individual fitness journeys.

Source: khaleejtimes

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.