November 2023
GET TO KNOW NADIR’S SUCCESS STORY AT FIT2LIVE BELOW!
This month’s spotlight is on the consistently hard working, active and focused super dad Nadir Makhlouf!
Nadir started his Fit2Live journey with our Masters program in May of 2022.
As soon as he started at Fit2Live a year and a half ago he hit the ground running, or rather speed walking around us all and hasn’t looked back since.
His consistency has certainly paid off with more fitness and recent amazing news from his cardiologist.
Nadir shows up to the Masters classes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and now knocks out a 3rd or 4th workout at Fit2Live most weeks. He even competed in his first Fall Brawl competition last weekend!
He’s a proud member in our 100 class club and is well on his way to the 250 club.
Lastly, and maybe most importantly, he is the awesome dad to Maya and Nina, our members of the month for May of 2023!
For these reasons and many more, Nadir has been chosen as our member of the month for November!
Tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, what you do
outside of Fit2Live, family, hobbies, etc.
I am from Algeria, North Africa. I was born in a small village in the Djurdjura mountains about 200 km east of the capital Algiers. Upon finishing my undergrad school in the 80’s, I earned a full scholarship for a master’s degree in any university of my choosing in the US. After spending one year in Oakland California learning English, I elected to pursue my master’s studies at the University of Michigan. After graduating from U of M Architecture school, I worked for about a year here in Ann Arbor at my professor’s Structural Engineering firm in Ann Arbor before moving to Palo Alto for another year and worked as a Junior Architect. With the type of visa I had, I was required to leave the US for a minimum of 2 years. I went back to Algeria and served my mandatory 2 years of military services. After my honorary discharge and part of my payment for the scholarship I received, I was required to teach at a university in Algeria. During this time, I met my beautiful wife. Shortly after we got engaged, a civil war started. I called my professor from U of M, and he agreed to sponsor us. The working visa was approved a couple of days before our wedding. It was the best wedding gift you could ever ask for. As for hobbies, Maya & Nina were very active in their schools, and I was very involved. I took them to all their various activities (Taekwondo, Ice skating, swimming, basketball, softball, soccer). Now that they are big kids, I golf in my free time.
When and why did you get started at Fit2Live?
Maya and Nina have tried to get me to join the gym after they joined numerous times. I was stubborn and just said that I am not interested for many months. One day, they brought me a flyer for the 6-week master’s class. I decided to give it a try and I’m glad I did. Sharon has done a wonderful job easing us into all the movements at the gym.
You’ve recently been given full clearance from your cardiologist to “not come back” because you have one heck of a healthy heart. Can you tell us a little about your previous cardiology outlook and where you are at now, your results from kicking so much butt at Fit2Live essentially ;).
I was a heavy smoker when I was a student. One day I was at a bar downtown and a gentleman next to me wanted to start a conversation with me, however every time he wanted to talk, he stuck a microphone to his throat so that I could hear him. He told me that he has throat cancer from smoking. I decided to quit smoking right there and then. Cold turkey. I am glad I quit as I found out years later that I have coronary heart disease. I discovered it when I was playing soccer one day and felt chest pains. When I went to a cardiologist, they found one of my arteries was blocked at 95%. I was very very close to having a heart attack. I had a procedure to have stents placed. After I recovered, I began speed walking for an average of 25 miles a week. Since then, I’ve done numerous half-marathons and paid a visit to my cardiologist once a year. At my most recent visit this year, I shared my Whoop data with the doctor. I also shared that I was going to the gym at least 3 days a week and playing 18 holes of golf walking at least twice a week. She said that if I continue these activities I no longer need my annual visit. Fit2Live has improved my health tremendously.
You are a regular in the Masters class on Tuesdays and Thursdays and are kicking some serious butt. What do you like most about the masters classes?
I am very grateful for Sharon’s ability to manage each one of us based on our individual capabilities.
If you could make the workout “Nadir”, what would it look like
(movements, repetitions, etc.)?
4 rounds of:
-15 calories rowing
-10 shoot throughs
-10 Bar muscle ups
-15 Sit-ups
-100-meter Farmer carry
Favorites!
Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption
TV Show: Mash and Taxi (80’s)
Song: All Bob Marley songs
Book: The Da Vinci Code
Quote: “Age is just a number”
What daily habit has changed your life for the better?
I feel like something is missing if I don’t go to the gym at least 3 times a week.
You seem to enjoy traveling with your family and girls (shoutout to the SWOLEXSISTERS). What is your favorite trip that you have taken over the years?
We just came back from a trip to Zion National park, Bryce National park and Grand Canyon. I don’t think I would have been able to climb Angels Landing (where you have to pull yourself up with chains) without the strength I acquired in the gym. A true display of functional fitness.
What is at the very top of your bucket list currently?
Hike the Grand Canyon from rim to rim (18 miles hike)
Here are two more BONUS questions from your daughters Nina and Maya.
Since joining Fit2Live you have become a regular in class. What keeps you so consistent with coming to get your daily dose of fitness?
I feel better every day since I joined Fit2Live. I look forward to the Tuesday & Thursday morning Masters Class. I avoid scheduling work meetings or doctor appointments on the same mornings as I don’t like to miss any Masters Class.
Who is your favorite daughter?
I love both my daughters Maya and Nina. I feel blessed having them in my life. They made me a better person and I am glad I made the decision to move back to the US to provide them a better future. I can’t pick one favorite, so I select Emma their pet dog as my favorite. Sorry girls.
THANKS FOR BEING AWESOME NADIR, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!
NEXT UP: Maya and Nina May Members of the Month!
