The story

A place to train

I became Muslim in 2009, at twenty-seven. I was already training, and I wanted to keep going. But I couldn't find anywhere women-only, somewhere I could take my scarf off and just work.

So I left my job, earned my black belt in Muay Thai, and opened the class I couldn't find. It became Safari Kickboxing, the UK's first women-only martial arts club.

One class became eleven locations

Women came from every background, Muslim and not. Over the next decade the club grew into Safari MMA, with eleven locations across London, Milton Keynes and Birmingham.

What I learned in those years wasn't really about fighting. It was about what happens when a woman realises she's stronger than she was told, and how that changes the way she carries everything else.

When lockdown closed every gym in 2020, we moved our members online so nobody had to stop.

Recognised for opening the door

I was awarded the British Empire Medal for diversity and inclusion in martial arts, presented by the Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire.

The work has been covered by The New York Times, the BBC, The Telegraph, The Guardian, Sky News and ITV, among others.

• British Empire Medal New Year Honours
• UK Coach of the Year Muslim Women's Sport Foundation
• The Movers List Lucozade Sport & The Independent
• Gymshark Changemakers Gymshark
• Inspiring Sportswoman MK Inspiration Awards

The same thread, a different platform

Today my work spans martial arts, health and business. Through Safari Systems, we build AI systems inside existing businesses, so the owner stops carrying everything alone and gets her time back.

I also host Beyond Borders: Business & Faith, a podcast of honest conversations about faith, work and building something that lasts.