Episode #36: From Hijab to Muay Thai: Nez Zakia's Brand Journey
If you're a fitness coach and you're curious about how your personal brand can really shoot your business to the next level, I'm going to share with you why this personal trainer is absolutely killing it in the fitness industry, and she's not what you think she is.
In my latest podcast episode (#36) of “The Fairy BOSSmother Show”, I shine a spotlight to Nasreen Dali, also known as Nez Zakia, on Instagram. Nez, what's up, my London sister? I see you. Yes, Nez is based in London, and I wish I knew this about her because then I would have gone to her gym, hung out with her, and do some Muay Thai. Anyone who knows me knows that I do boxing and Muay Thai training.
If you know Nez, you've probably seen her on Apple fitness. Yes, that's right. She is an Apple Fitness Plus trainer because she trains people how to do Muay Thai on a very beginner level. Now, the fundamentals about Nez's personal brand is this. Let's talk about what she does. Nez is a Muay Thai fighter, and she was determined to be the first Muay Thai fighter in Thailand to fight with a hijab. Why? This is a big deal because women, Muslim and fighting stereotypically don't go in the same sentence. And as someone who does all three, well, kind of hijab.
Nez wanted to break that stereotype. She wanted to show that it's possible for muslim women to do whatever they wanted within the realms of their faith and show off their passion and really dive deep into their area of expertise. With Nez, that was fitness. Her niche is Mutai. This is what she went really, really deep in, and she captured that market. She has a mutai gym in south London. She's now an Apple fitness plus trainer, and she's also a Nike brand ambassador, where she shows off the Nike brand but wearing modest clothing.
Here are 4 key takeaways you can expect from the latest podcast:
1. Break Cultural Stereotypes Boldly
As a Muay Thai fighter who proudly wears a hijab, Nez is breaking stereotypes left and right. Historically, women, especially Muslim women wearing hijabs, haven’t been represented in combat sports. Nez not only stepped into this challenging arena but made waves by becoming the first Muay Thai fighter in Thailand to fight with a hijab. How cool is that?
I have immense respect for her because she has shown that you can honor your faith, defy stereotypes, and passionately pursue your dreams all at the same time. Nez stands as a role model for many, emphasizing that it's possible for Muslim women to chase their passions within the tenets of their faith.
2. The Power of Niche: Muay Thai and More
Nez has captured a very unique market and has niched down in a way that makes her standout. Specializing in Muay Thai, she has a dedicated gym in South London and serves as an Apple Fitness Plus trainer, where she focuses on beginner-level Muay Thai instruction. Alongside this, she's a Nike brand ambassador, promoting their gear while wearing modest, faith-conforming attire.
What sets her apart is how she has combined her niche expertise with a broader vision. Nez isn’t just another fitness trainer; she's a trailblazer in promoting modest sportswear and making fitness accessible to everyone, regardless of their faith.
3. Authenticity and Representation
Nez doesn’t shy away from incorporating her faith into her brand identity. She greets everyone with "Assalamu Alaikum" in all her Apple Fitness Plus content, making her faith a visible and respected aspect of her public persona. By doing this, she has become an epitome of inclusivity and representation in an industry that often overlooks minority communities.
4. Consistency in Appearance
Her content speaks volumes about her versatility. From Muay Thai to swimming, helping young children with their fitness, running, and other activities, Nez covers a broad spectrum. She emphasizes the necessity of a well-rounded approach to fitness, integrating body conditioning, weight training, and mobility exercises into Muay Thai. This approach not only makes her content relatable but also incredibly valuable for her audience.
Also, one of Nez’s strongest suits is her visual branding. Whenever you spot her—in magazines, on Instagram, her website, or Apple Fitness Plus—she's consistently wearing modest sports gear. This consistency reinforces her brand message and makes her instantly recognizable. If you haven’t checked her out yet, you’re seriously missing out.
What can we, as solopreneurs, learn from Nez’s journey? First, find your niche and dive deep. Second, stay authentic, integrating all facets of your identity into your brand. And lastly, be sure to show up consistently, both in appearance and message, to create a lasting impact.
Curious to know more about how you can strategically dress for your personal brand? Check out our other episodes for in-depth tips on making an impact and becoming a memorable brand within your niche.
Listen to the full episode now and start your journey towards building a premium brand: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bossdiplomat/episodes/From-Hijab-to-Muay-Thai-Nez-Zakias-Brand-Journey-Ep--36-e2lh642
