Yusuf Bodiat, head of finance and investment for African Risk Capacity, shares how committing to regular exercise has helped him build better habits and improve his overall wellbeing.
Yusuf has become a firm believer that small, consistent steps can lead to meaningful change. A few months ago, he decided to make a change. What started as “a bit of CrossFit here and a run there” turned into a commitment to exercise regularly and consistently.
And eight months in, he’s taken on yet another challenge, Hyrox - a fitness competition that combines running with functional exercises like rowing, sled pushes, and burpees.
He shares how the discipline of exercising regularly has forced him into building better habits. Here’s what he has learnt on his journey:
- Exercise isn’t a luxury - it’s a necessity: It’s not just about physical health; it’s about mental clarity, resilience, and energy, he explains. For Yusuf, focusing on his overall wellbeing became essential, not because he had to, but because he wanted to get the most out of the efforts he put in.
- Good habits build on each other: Exercise became the catalyst for other positive changes. “Sleeping better and eating healthier didn’t feel like sacrifices - they felt like natural next steps to support the effort I was putting into my workouts.”
- Work-life balance isn’t about perfection: Exercise has become the foundation that helps Yusuf thrive in all areas of his life, it’s also about making intentional choices that support his well-being. He understands all too well that being “too busy’ can make one’s health a low priority. “But I’ve learnt that investing in yourself isn’t selfish - it’s essential. When you feel your best, you perform your best.”
- Exercise is about more than physical strength: It’s about showing up for yourself, even when it’s hard, he says. “There were moments during Hyrox when I wanted to slow down or stop, but I kept going because I knew I was capable of more than I thought.”
- You don’t have to look like an athlete: “We often fall into the trap of believing that our physique needs to look a certain way and our fitness levels need to meet specific standards to participate in certain sports,” he adds. “Social media often influences these perceptions, especially at gyms. I may not be fast, strong, or have an athlete’s physique, but I am consistent and enjoy what I do.”
- Work-life balance is about making intentional choices: Ultimately, for Yusuf, taking time to invest in his health isn’t selfish - it’s a necessity. Apart from being a personal milestone, completing Hyrox was a reminder that feeling strong and energised can have a knock-on effect in all areas of one’s life. “You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be consistent.”
