Tell me something about yourself.
Well as many of you already know, I am from Peshawar, Pakistan. I like to call myself both Pakistani and Australian as Pakistan is my home country, and Australia has given meaning to my life. I am an accounting graduate with a full time job working for the Big 4, and passionate about different things, mainly fitness. I am an animal lover and love spending time outdoors and socialising with different people.
What does fitness mean to you?
Fitness means everything to me. It’s the most important part of my life. Nothing stresses me like not going for my workout does.
Fitness in other words does not mean to have a perfect body and to look like a model. In real life it’s impossible to maintain perfection not just in fitness but in other aspects of your life too. It’s a process that you can improve on with every passing day.
Fitness to me means being strong than you were before; eating right; having the energy to carry out your day-to-day activities; and Feeling great and positive about yourself. Different people have different fitness goals, and we should respect that. Not everybody wants to look skinny or muscular.
Nothing gives me more pleasure than when an Australian says ‘oh I didn’t know women from that part of the world are working in this industry'
How does it feel to represent your Pakistani identity in the mainstream Australian community?
Nothing gives me more pleasure than when an Australian says ‘oh I didn’t know women from that part of the world are working in this industry’. It shows and means that there is more to Pakistan than what is portrayed in the media. I represent modern Pakistani women, living independently away from their families, fulfilling their dreams and trying to educate and help people.
What are your future plans?
Honestly, I take one day at a time. I have learned not to talk much about my plans as who knows what the future holds. But I would love to compete in a fitness competition. That would be like a dream come true.
Any word of advice?
Well, whatever you want to do, do it purely. Forget what others are doing or saying. It does not matter. Follow your heart; be crazy in your imagination and dreams. Set goals and work day in and day out to achieve them. Most importantly, make sure what you know where your true passion lies, because you will never give up on that!
