“Unleashing the Power Within: Join Menna Yousri on Her Remarkable Fitness Journey and Empowering Others to Thrive.”
We had the pleasure of interviewing Menna Yousri, a dedicated fitness trainer who has transformed her own life through the power of fitness. Born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt, Menna’s journey began with a desire to change her body after struggling with unsuccessful attempts at weight loss. Her determination led her to embrace a well-balanced diet and eventually incorporate weight training into her routine. As her body transformed, so did her passion for fitness. Now, Menna uses her personal experiences to empathize with her clients, understanding their needs and struggles on a profound level. With a focus on long-term lifestyle changes, Menna empowers others to achieve their fitness goals and embrace a healthier, happier life.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Menna Yousri. I was born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt. I am a Fitness Trainer. I am married and have 2 kids, Emma 12 and Youssef 10 years old.
I currently live in Kuwait. Before Kuwait I lived in Thailand for 6 years.
Tell us about your education.
I hold a bachelor degree in Electrical and Communication Engineering. Right after I graduated, I worked as a Wireline Field Engineer in Schlumberger. I left the job after 5 years when I got pregnant with my first child.
My fitness education and certificates came later.
Tell us about your childhood, what were you like growing up?
Growing up in Alexandria was actually quite fun; being in a small community and close to the beach. I actually liked school a lot and enjoyed getting high grades, lucky for my parents I guess. I hardly committed to any sports growing up or even when I went to college. I loved performing on stage and I used to join School choir, plays and poetry competitions.
Please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
15 years ago, if you told me that I would be in professional fitness training and having it as a job I would be laughing at you! But fitness literally changed my life and helped me become a better version of myself from all aspects.
My journey with fitness started early on, before I got pregnant with my first child. One day I just looked at myself in the mirror trying to squeeze up a pair of skinny jeans and at this exact moment I really decided that I want to change my body.
I have had many years before of unsuccessful trials of yoyo dieting ever since I was a teenager. I always failed to reduce my weight or even maintain a small loss.
In addition, I never really fully understood the concept of lifestyle change. With my mind focused to lose the excess weight, I stuck to a well-balanced diet for months which helped me loose over 10 kilos. I think this time was successful because I was determined, so I really stayed consistent. It was great as well in helping me have a system, meal structure and more awareness of being healthy not just skinny. But unfortunately, when you lose such an amount of weight without doing exercise your body does not look quite as expected. You look frail with loose skin and skinny fat love handles. That is when I started researching and decided to start working out and doing weight training. At this time, my life turned upside down. Just being consistent to go to the gym every day, finding yourself getting stronger, seeing the results on your body shape; this is the best feeling ever!
I loved it so much that I really wanted to know and understand more and the nerdy student in me jumped right in and I decided to get my first personal training certification.
Because of how much my life was better when I committed to fitness and a healthy life style; I had the urge to spread this knowledge and this amazing feeling to other women like myself who are struggling and looking desperately for solutions to change their bodies or feel more comfortable in their own skin.
How long do you train an average client?
On average, I would train a client for 3 months, though I have clients that have been working with me for over 8 years now.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I believe a big part of my success with my clients is that I really relate to them and understand how they feel because I simply went through it all. I was the chubby girl who desperately wanted to lose weight. I was the mom who would do anything to get rid of the pregnancy pouch. I have been skinny, I have been bulky, I was the lost one in the gym not knowing what to do or the one who would cry after a couple of burpees. I am a person who has tried everything and anything really! 🙂 I know exactly how my clients feel and I totally understand their needs and struggles. So, through my coaching and support they do reach their goals.
Can you give us some guidelines a person should follow when choosing a personal trainer?
I think that a person should above all feel comfortable and at ease with his/her personal trainer. I think it is quite a relationship that can have great benefits to the person. Then comes the expertise and whether the personal trainer understands your needs, goals and lifestyle.
Your trainer doesn’t have to have a six pack or a stunning body but he/she should lead by example and everyone’s results are different.
What keeps you motivated?
Results and Specific goals set.
What’s the biggest challenge in your work?
Clients staying consistent for a good amount of time to maintain their results.
What do you find is the biggest obstacle to people adhering to an exercise program long term?
The biggest obstacle is not making exercise an important part of their daily or weekly routine. In other words, didn’t build a habit.
What’s your diet like?
I am not a big foodie and I genuinely like healthy food!
I do eat carbs and all kinds of food really but I watch my portions.
What are some of your other hobbies?
I enjoy creating healthy recipes.
I do animal flow which is another kind of exercise. I also adopted recently transformational breath and using Audible to read books. Oh, and I love fashion and shopping!
Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Why does that resonate with you so much?
When a door closes or life doesn’t give you what you want, it is because better things await you.
It means so much to me because I do believe and trust that when a door closes a better one always opens, we just need to be patient.
I was upset when I quit my job at Schlumberger. I had a stable job with great income but God had better plan for me. I am now able to help people lead better lives while having the time to raise and spend time with my children and I couldn’t be more grateful.
How to deal with fatigue?
Sleep is the best thing.
What is your life motto?
I have a couple actually:
-Love for others what you love for yourself.
“لَا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ”
-Trust and depend on God.
What are your plans for the future?
Helping as many as I can adapt a healthier lifestyle and bettering their health and mindsets.
What’s your daily exercise advice, in general?
Don’t think too much. It doesn’t matter if you exercise for 5 minutes or 60. Just get up and do something. The right time is now.
Your message for our readers?
Good health is a huge blessing and after God’s will we have the main hand in bettering or ruining our health. So, take baby steps every day and trust me you will notice a difference. Also, Exercise is the secret factor for longevity.
Your message for us at CP magazine?
I really wish you all the best and I enjoy your diversity.
Creative Director: Jameel Arif (@jameelarif)
Photographer: Riyaz (@riyas.photokw)
