At just 25 years old, Alaa Bensalamah is building a life shaped by discipline, resilience, and self belief. A Kuwaiti woman living in Kuwait, she is a certified running coach, fitness motivator, and medical engineering graduate. Her journey stands out because it is honest and deeply personal, shaped by years of struggle and a strong desire for change. Today, Alaa Bensalamah uses her story to inspire people to move, stay active, and trust that transformation is possible regardless of where they begin.
Education and Academic Background
Alaa Bensalamah completed her bachelor’s degree in medical engineering in the United Kingdom. This academic path helped her develop a strong understanding of the human body, particularly how movement, performance, and recovery are connected. She is currently continuing her master’s degree in advanced medical engineering from Yorkshire in the UK.
Her educational background plays an important role in her fitness journey and coaching style. She believes training should be smart, structured, and safe. By combining science with real life experience, she focuses on sustainable fitness rather than quick results.
A Childhood Struggle That Sparked Change
The idea of living a healthy lifestyle entered Alaa Bensalamah’s life at a very young age. From the age of six, she struggled with obesity, which affected her confidence and daily activities. Diets felt difficult to follow, and simple things such as finding clothes in her size or walking for a short time became exhausting challenges.
The real turning point came when frustration turned into determination. While studying abroad and living alone, she realized that she was fully responsible for her own health. That moment of awareness changed everything. She began adjusting her habits slowly, accepting that progress would take time. The journey was not perfect, but consistency helped her move forward and eventually transform her lifestyle.
Why Running Became Her Safe Space
Running became much more than a form of exercise for Alaa Bensalamah. It became a personal escape and a place where she could reconnect with herself. Running helped her release stress, feel free, and clear her mind. It also allowed her to track progress in a very real way, whether through distance, pace, or endurance.
Each improvement, no matter how small, gave her confidence. Running brought her happiness, mental strength, and a sense of achievement that motivated her to continue.
From Treadmill Dislike to Outdoor Passion
Like many beginners, Alaa Bensalamah started her fitness journey on the treadmill, and she did not enjoy it. It felt boring and tiring, and motivation was hard to maintain. Everything changed when she decided to try running outdoors.
Her first outdoor run lasted only 15 minutes and covered around two kilometers. That experience completely changed her mindset. She felt energized, challenged, and inspired. From that point on, she focused on outdoor running, learning how to manage her pace and gradually increase her endurance. Her competitive personality soon pushed her to participate in races and set higher goals.
Becoming a Certified Running Coach
As her passion for running grew, Alaa Bensalamah decided to turn her experience into a way to help others. She became a certified running coach after completing an intensive online course with United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy.
This certification allowed her to combine professional knowledge with personal experience. She now works closely with beginners, helping them overcome fear, build confidence, and develop consistency in their running journey.
First Race and a Major Milestone
Alaa Bensalamah’s first race was a beach trail run organized in Kuwait. Running on sand required extra strength and balance, making the race both challenging and rewarding. Completing this race marked an important milestone in her journey. It proved to her that she was capable of far more than she once believed and encouraged her to continue racing and pushing her limits.
A Running Career Built on Inspiration
Alaa Bensalamah’s running career is strongly connected to inspiring others, especially in Kuwait. She noticed that many people rely on surgical options for weight loss and later struggle to maintain results. Her mission is to show that change can come through self trust, training, and patience.
Most of her clients are beginners. For her, success is not defined by medals or speed, but by seeing people believe in themselves, maintain a steady running pace, and build strength over time.
The Reality of Running in Kuwait
Running in Kuwait presents unique challenges. The weather can be extreme, and proper running tracks are limited. These factors make consistency difficult, especially during the hotter months. Despite this, Alaa Bensalamah believes the running community in Kuwait is supportive and encouraging. Runners motivate each other and create a strong sense of community that helps many stay committed to their goals.
Strength and Mobility as Essential Tools
Alaa Bensalamah strongly believes that running alone is not enough for long term progress. Strength training and mobility work are essential for preventing injuries and improving performance.
Her preferred strength exercise is leg extensions, which help strengthen the quadriceps and reduce knee pain. For mobility, she recommends the 90 90 hip exercise, which improves hip flexibility and reduces discomfort. She encourages runners to focus on balanced training rather than rushing progress.
Coaching Locations and Daily Work
Currently, Alaa Bensalamah works as a freelance coach. She conducts outdoor training sessions at Shaheed Park and also works as a freelance personal trainer at Flare Jabriyah Gym. This allows her to work with different types of clients and adapt her coaching methods to various environments and fitness levels.
Challenges as a Female Coach
One of the biggest challenges Alaa Bensalamah faces as a female coach is understanding how different clients respond to training. Some individuals enjoy being pushed, while others prefer a slower and more gradual approach. Learning how each client reacts takes time and observation, but she believes this understanding is essential for effective coaching.
Motivation Through Honesty and Reality
Alaa Bensalamah motivates her followers by being honest and transparent. She regularly shares her workouts and progress on social media, but she also talks openly about failure and struggle. By sharing her story of losing 40 kilograms through training and dieting, she reminds others that real change takes time and effort.
She believes people connect more deeply with authenticity than perfection, and this approach helps her inspire others to stay consistent.
Advice for Beginner Runners
For those just starting out, Alaa Bensalamah offers simple advice. Running will be uncomfortable at first, and pain is part of the process. Accept it, stay patient, and trust yourself. Everyone begins somewhere, and progress comes with consistency.
Future Goals and Vision
Looking ahead, Alaa Bensalamah hopes to run ultra marathons that exceed 50 kilometers. She plans to focus more on endurance rather than speed, believing that her mental strength is well suited for long distance challenges.
Life Beyond Running
Outside of fitness, Alaa Bensalamah enjoys fashion and styling outfits. It allows her to express creativity and balance her disciplined training lifestyle. Her favorite way to relax is sleep, followed by sports massage and ice baths for recovery. She never leaves home without her AirPods, Garmin watch, and a bottle of water.
Alaa Bensalamah’s journey is a powerful example of how determination and self belief can transform a life. Through running, coaching, and honesty, she continues to inspire others to take the first step toward a healthier future.
Do follow her on Instagram
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