Believe you can, & you’re halfway there
An Engineer, a fitness athlete and a sports influencer from Kuwait.
Maryam Khajah is an Engineer , a fitness athlete and a sports influencer from Kuwait. She is also acting as a board member in the Kuwait Federation of Sports for Alland is an active member of the competition committee in the Kuwait Federation of Triathlon. Maryam has qualified for many championships across the world and came back with several gold medals. She was nominated and awarded by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Youth as a Kuwaiti successful achiever and held the first ever qualification for the OCR World Championships held for Kuwait in the USA. She also received the prestigious TOYOTA – CP Youth Achievement Award for the year 2021.
We sit with Maryam this month to know more about her and her passion for sports and fitness.
Hi, please introduce yourself in a few words?
Hello, my name is Maryam Khajah. I’m working as an Engineer in the Oilfield sector (Schlumberger). I’m also a fitness athlete and sports influencer. Acting as a board member in the Kuwait Federation of Sports for All & an active member of the competition committee in the Kuwait Federation of Triathlon. I’m a proud Leader of Thunders GYM, an Ambassador for ASICS Frontrunners team, a Global Ambassador for Spartan and OCR Buddy and Part of Aura Athleisure Circle. I’m usually very active in work and in sports; I run at 5 a.m. in the morning, work from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. and workout 7 p.m. this is my routine. Sports became a big part of my life since I got all my family into sports; with my family support I was able to grow more in sports. Thunders GYM motivated me to start a healthier life journey; from the day I started growing more. My love for Obstacle course races is endless; this is where I started. I attended many OCR races locally and internationally; also qualified for many championships across the world and came back with golden medals. I was nominated and awarded by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Youth being a Kuwaiti successful achiever. I hold the first ever qualification for the OCR World Championships held for Kuwait in the USA and other championships. Moreover; I always like to motivate people into sports and a healthier life as this will be a great advantage for each person in the long run.
Tell us about your education:
I’m holding a bachelors degree in engineering. I graduated back in 2017 from the American University of the Middle East. I participated in the International conference of Industrial Engineers with my group & awarded the first place between many countries. I started multiple internships in Equate Petrochemicals, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Zain telecommunications, Albabtain group for Automotive & etc. for 2 years until I was offered a job at Schlumberger Oilfield. I believe that a person can start from scratch to build their career; as this will help us learn to appreciate our job & earn our position with our own hands. I’m searching for my passion & seeking new challenges always.
What got you interested in what you’re doing?
I’ve never thought pf being into sports ever. A friend of mine asked to join a free class in a GYM and that’s how it all started. Thunders GYM provided me with everything I need and supported me all the way to reach my goals. My coaches (Ali Al Daihan, Mohamad Bagheri, Hussain Boushehri & Ahmed Al Rshaid) invested in me since day one; they got me into something I never expected I could reach. When I started to progress, I loved the journey because I enjoyed it. it was my stress relief sport.
The day I joined my first ever OCR (Obstacle Course Race); I didn’t expect to finish it at all. But because my coaches believed in me; I did finish it with a big surprise. I completed the race and got my first medal & covered in Mud; I looked around the whole course and said to myself ” I did this?” “this whole race; I was able to do this?”. I had mixed feelings between happiness, achievement & success (I also wanted to cry). The feeling was amazing I said to myself ” okay that was fun, can I do it again please?”. The story didn’t end here; I went back home full of Mud and had my father waiting for me and surprised of all the Mud. I told him ” Baba, give me 30 minutes I will wash and come back to explain”. I told him everything; my dad was surprised & amazed of what I did. The next race my father joined me and we had a blast. After that my next family members started joining. I was happy to leave a good impact and influence my family into sports and a healthier life style.
What are some of your top achievements?
My top achievements are:
•Second Place AG in Spartan Jabel Ali- UAE Super Race 2018
•First place AG in Spartan Jabel Sifah- Oman Beast Race 2018
•First place in the International Conference of Industrial Engineers Bandung- Indonesia 2018
•Qualified & First place AG in Spartan championship of the Middle East & Africa Meliha-UAE Beast Race 2019
•Qualified & Top 10 in Spartan World Championship North lake Tahoe-USA Beast Race 2019.
•First Kuwaiti Participation & Qualification for the OCR World Championship Stratton Mountain-USA 2021.
•Nominated as Top 3 Kuwaitis Achievers by the Ministry of Youth.
•Awarded as a Kuwaiti Achiever by the Ministry of Youth.
•several other gold medals in some local races in Kuwait.
Who are your top 3 heroes and why?
My Dad Haroun Khajah, my Grandma Qamar and my Coach Ali Al Daihan. Because they taught me that nothing is Impossible and believed in me since day one. They were always there for me supporting and guiding me. I learned a lot from them and I’m still learning.
Tell us your journey to where you have reached today.
I graduated in 2017 and wanted to find my passion. I didn’t want to choose the easy part. I wanted to prove myself until I reach a point where I find the place that makes me able to wake up go to work happily and perform very well; the struggle was to find my passion. I worked in many places as an intern; Equate Petrochemicals, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Zain telecommunications, AlBabtain group for Automotive and etc. for 2 years until I was offered a job in Schlumberger Oilfield. People say you wasted two years just to find your passion; but for me those two years I learned many things between many different departments and companies. I still didn’t find my passion though; but I’m happy to where I’m going and building up my career. On the other part of my life I started when a friend asked to join a free class in GYM; today I’m an athlete with many achievements across the world. I started in Saracen race (located in Kuwait) from there I started to work on myself more until I reached the world championships for OCR races. I never thought I would take this path actually; it all began when my coach told me you can’t; I just wanted to prove him wrong, while in the process I enjoyed it and took it far than expected and loved it. today I’m an athlete holding multiple medals from gold to bronze from local to international. This is all because I surrounded my self with positive people and eliminated toxic people. Today I seek to motivate more people into sports and a healthier life style as it has a great influence in their lives currently and in the long run. Helping people to start this journey it self, brings joy to my life.
Tell us about a dream that you would like to fulfil or make it a reality:
My dream is to reach the Olympics, motivate more people into a healthier lifestyle, leave a good impact on the environment around me and make Kuwait a better healthier sport friendly environment.
You recently received an award from TOYOTA AlSayer & CP magazine. Tell us about it.
I would like to thank TOYOTA AlSayer and CP magazine for initiating this award as it’s a big motivation for many people across Kuwait. These Kind of awards will keep us going, happy to give more and also motivate other people to start achieving in their passion. It is a great initiative and shows how much AlSayer and CP magazine care and support such great influencers and achievers in Kuwait. I am honored to achieve this Award and it means a lot and at the same time motivated me to do more. I believe there are also many people out there that are amazing and achievers that deserve this award. We are doing this for Kuwait.
How do you manage the balance between being an Engineer and your passion for sports?
If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.
I love my job; I enjoy it. At the same time, I have a passion for sports. I always say if its important to you? You’ll always find a way. I believe that life is a balance; I manage between three things in life: my job, my passion for sports and my family. I always find a way to balance these main three things and still enjoy my life.
Quote” If it’s important to you, you will find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse” My Advice to the reader; find your passion and do what you love. Trust me with time management you’ll always have time for what matters to you.
Another Quote “People with Passion can make the impossible happen”
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
Easy ways are not appreciated and valued like the hard ways which has a lot of failures. Yes, I failed a lot in my life; in many aspects in different ways. But I always believe that my failures are only lessons learned. I always make sure that I learn every day. I strive to learn more and challenge my self more.
Each failure taught me things I wouldn’t have learned in any other way if it wasn’t for this failure. Today I can say that I’m not afraid of failures, I search for failures to make sure I’m in the correct direction; where I can learn and achieve my goal at the same time.
What is the biggest challenge that you face and how do you overcome it?
I faced a lot of challenges in Life. Mentally, physically, socially, etc. Let me tell you about my challenge between my Engineering job and passion for sports. I have a full-time job of 9 hours + which is challenging by itself; who would think someone with this job can enjoy their life and pursue their passion? The day I got the job I said okay no more sports. But then I realized that this was the biggest wrong decision I have done in my life. I said to my self I can make time for both because I love both. This is my Challenge I wake up 4 a.m. have my breakfast and go for any cardio workout (run/walk/bike/workout) , get back home shower and off to work (9 hours+) , after that I go directly to the GYM for my normal training (any workout with weights), later on I head back home have my dinner and rest. This is on repeat except for weekends where I prioritize my family. Imagine doing this everyday; trust me its challenging I could’ve done it the easy way; but this is me, I love what I do and I love to challenge my self. I won’t say it’s a routine I face challenges everyday tbh. These challenges are my extra spices that keeps me going.
Message to the reader; at any time, you think you are afraid of failure remember these two Quotes: “Don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid of not trying” “Stars cannot shine without darkness”
What are some of your other hobbies?
I love to try new things and explore more. Specially in sports; water sports, extreme sports, easy sports, etc. I run, walk, bike, hike, workout, paraglide, triathlon, swim, ski, jet surf, etc. and I’m still on going for more activities. I love to keep myself active and try different things.
Note: I enjoy Being active, it’s part of my lifestyle.
Your favorite quote?
“Believe you can, & you’re halfway there”
How do you relax?
I relax by self care (Spa, massage, hair treatments, nail treatments, shower, etc.) , a walk by the beach and travel.
Name 3 things you cannot leave home without?
My phone, my water bottle and my great positive spirit.
Your messaage for our readers.
My message to all is to believe in yourself, surround yourself with positive people, find your passion and invest in it. last but not least always follow your dream and never give up.
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