A personal trainer and Muay Thai enthusiast, Khatiza is running the Vitality London 10,000 not just for herself, but to challenge outdated narratives around women and exercise.
She says movement is about more than weight loss. It’s about strength, confidence, and self-discovery. “There’s no perfect time to start,” she says. “Just show up, be kind to yourself, and make it fun.”
Inspired by her own journey into fitness, which began with strength training at home, she now empowers others through inclusive PT sessions.
As a mother of three, she wants her daughters and other women watching to know: age, culture, and responsibility should never stop us from investing in ourselves. We all deserve to feel strong, visible, and valued.
"There may be cultural reasons why someone isn’t active, but I want to change that. Being active doesn’t have to mean going to the gym - it can be as simple as going for a walk or doing exercise at home. There are so many accessible and enjoyable ways to move your body."
Running is Khatiza’s latest challenge. She found out about the Vitality London 10,000 through Muslimah Sports Association.
It offers women a safe space to participate in a number of different sports without compromising their religious or cultural beliefs. Khatiza has already surpassed her fundraising goal of £400, raising over £500 in support of their mission.
As a PT, Khatiza is usually the one supporting others towards their fitness goals. She says it's been refreshing having her own challenge - even if she has had to remind herself to be patient throughout her training plan, as motivation isn’t consistent.
“Motivation comes and goes. You might not feel like it some days, but show up. You don't have to set the bar high every time. It's just about getting out there and getting moving.”
Khatiza says it's encouraging to see exercise becoming more inclusive, with classes for mothers and babies and more activities in schools. However, she says there's more work to be done to shift those mindsets when it comes to how we view fitness.
“A lot of women still start their fitness journey for weight loss, but we need to change the mindset because it is so much more than that. I’ve had so many clients who say they feel so much stronger and can now do things they never thought they would. Exercise can make you a different person.”
She says exercise can transform your lifestyle in unexpected ways, helping you become more attuned to your body and more aware of the physical and emotional stress you’re placing on it.
“You become more mindful and you want to maintain your fitness by avoiding junk food and harmful substances. It’s like looking after a garden, and you have to keep watering it and removing weeds.”
If you’re looking to take that first step in your fitness journey, Khatiza says social media can be an overwhelming place, so remember to start small and be suspicious of those “quick fixes”.
“Don't strive for perfection and avoid the quick fixes. When you're starting, take it slowly, start small, and don’t be worried if what works for your friends doesn't work for you. You will find something for you and a personal trainer can always help with that.”
A great first step is to visit the Muslimah Sports Association website, where you'll find a range of weekly activities across London - from Nordic walking to football - designed to support and empower women to get active.
