What compels a celebrity fitness trainer to leave his thriving Aussie business and take off for the Middle East?
Written by: Carmel De Amicis
“I followed my wife here,” Mike Haddins admits sheepishly. “Well, actually she followed me first when I moved to India to coach a professional cricket team. Then her career skyrocketed in the UAE, so it was my turn to pick up shop and start over somewhere new.”
With his professional coaching experience and mellow Aussie manners, Mike seems to have had little trouble launching his latest life venture — Haddin Fitness 2.0. Clients are already lining up at the door, and Mike’s juggling some major balls at the moment. He also runs group sessions, where the flabby public can sign up to sweat out their fat sorrows, does personal training with private clients, and has corporate health programs. So what does a day in the life look like for this ambitious entrepreneur?
4.30am: In the wee hours, Mike munches down some cereal, showers, and slips quietly out the door without waking his sleeping spouse.
5.30am: The day’s opening session sees the arrival of the fanatic fitness buffs who have the sense to start sweating before the sun rises. For the next hour, the small crew of clients are woken from their sleepy stupour with rigorous boxing, circuit or running activities.
6.30am: After packing up the group gear, Mike goes to a compound for a private training session, usually with an injured client who needs personalised attention.
8.00am: A quick stop at home gives him the chance to snatch a piece of toast and say hello and goodbye to his wife as she shoots off to work.
8.30am: Time for another group session! The slightly saner 8.30 crew arrive for their share of cardio games and giggling. “The group classes are always more of a laugh than the private ones. Everyone gets to know each other, so they start to build up a team-mentality bond. The best is when you get 40 or 50 people showing up, charging up hills or through pushups like some monster military troop.”
9.30am: Mike swings by Mugg ‘n’ Bean for his third breakfast of the morning – a hearty poached eggs and veggie scramble – and a well-deserved caffeine boost (“I love coffee,” he confesses).
10.00am: For most of the afternoon, Mike scampers around town, meeting with companies, schools and other organisations that are looking to launch health programs. “Since my arrival, I’ve been working with a bunch of the capital’s corporations. We’ll hold nutrition/health education seminars and business fitness sessions, where everyone will spend their lunch hour on a fun run or playing beach volleyball.”
3.00pm: He practices what he preaches, so mid-afternoon it’s Mike’s turn to get physical. “My other trainers will meet with me to squeeze in a workout, and we’ll push each other to the max with squats, lunges, sprints, the usual stuff.”
4.00pm: A post-lunch snack is often a bbq rotisserie chicken from a local shop. Given his go-go-go lifestyle, it’s no surprise Mike eats for five...
5.30pm: Around the time normal people start clocking out and heading home, Mike’s not even close to finishing his packed day – there are still two more evening sessions to run. “Honestly, I love my work so I stay motivated. As a trainer, you see people transforming their lives for the better, and it’s an incredible experience. One guy lost 50kg working with me, and he was so grateful he let me stay in his $6m mansion rent-free while he was away for six months.”
8.30pm: The evening draws to a close. Mike heads home for his routine outdoor bbq and shisha with friends and family. “We’ll sit around chatting for hours. I’ve perfected the art of the roast lamb, if I do say so myself.”
Final thoughts: “Abu Dhabi has been such a receptive, open environment to the Haddins programs. My schedule is crazy right now, but it’s worth it because we’re getting so many initiatives off the ground to help make health and fitness a priority here.” So what’s next on the wish list? “School educational outreach,” says Mike. “I want to get ‘em while they’re young!”
