Purposeful Fitness with Coach Ola

In this episode of Purposeful Fitness with Coach Ola, Coach Ola sits down with Heather Boddy to explore the unique intersection of cosplay, fandom, and fitness.

What if your workouts could be inspired by the characters you admire most?

Heather shares how channeling the energy, strength, and personality of favorite characters—from superheroes to anime icons—can transform the way we approach movement. Instead of viewing fitness as a chore, this approach invites creativity, imagination, and self-expression into the workout experience.

Together, Coach Ola and Heather discuss how cosplay culture can empower people to move with confidence, embrace their identities, and find motivation in unexpected places.

This conversation highlights how fitness can become more engaging and meaningful when it connects with our passions, creativity, and sense of play.

• Heather’s journey from theatre and performance into the fitness world

Heather Boddy

Website: https://heather-boddy.com

Website: www.befit4akhirah.com

Instagram @BeFit4Akhirah

Remember to:

Ramadan: The Month of Becoming

Ramadan Mubarak. In this episode, I reflect on why Ramadan is truly the Month of Becoming — not just a month of fasting, but a month designed to shape our character, awareness, and daily choices.

Ramadan interrupts comfort, exposes who we really are, and creates space for intentional growth. The hunger, the fatigue, the restraint — all of it becomes an opportunity to develop discipline, patience, and alignment between our values and our actions.

In this episode, I discuss:

• How fasting interrupts autopilot and increases awareness

This month is not only about what we accomplish — it is about what is being formed within us.

As Ramadan continues, take a moment to reflect:

To check out Welcome Ramadan Planner book on Amazon, visit:

Welcome Ramadan: A Holistic Approach into Welcoming the Blessed Month! Exciting Infographics & Planner all in One Place Paperback

To check out Ramadan Prep workshop online, visit:

In this episode of Purposeful Fitness with Coach Ola, I’m sharing what I’m calling The Year of Becoming — a personal reflection on growth, boundaries, and stepping into the version of yourself you’ve been building toward. This isn’t a “new year, new me” pep talk. It’s about becoming: choosing alignment, protecting your peace, and remembering you’re worthy of love, support, and respect.

n this episode, we talk about

What “becoming” actually means (beyond goals)

The growth that happens when you set real boundaries

Releasing old versions of yourself without guilt

Choosing alignment over approval

Worthiness: receiving love, support, and respect

And much more...

Reflection prompts (for you)

What am I becoming this year?

What boundary do I need to set to protect that version of me?

Where am I ready to receive more love, support, or respect?

Are you ready for month of Ramadan?

Check out Ramadan prep workshops at www.befit4akhirah.com/p/ramadanprep

Remember to leave a review on iTunes and share this podcast with someone =)

Thank you for your support,

Coach Ola

Be Strong. Be Fit. BeFit4Akhirah.

Ramadan is one of the blessed months in the Islamic calendar that Muslims partake in around the world through fasting and acts of worship. Swimming is one of the sports that require a lot of energy from the body, and it can be challenging for someone while fasting. So what should you do? Should you cut it out completely or how do you make it work out? In this webinar replay, I spoke about the importance of dryland training, and how you can incorporate it during your training in Ramadan. We also spoke about intermittent fasting and recommendations for swimmers during their training. ✅To stay connected with Maggie and Ola, follow us on social media at:

👉To get more dryland workout tips specifically for swimmers, check out the following: -IG: VasaTrainer:   / vasatrainer   -IG: SwimmerStrength:   / swimmerstrength   👉To view MySwimPro Ramadan advice from Fares, click the link below: How To Fast and Swim During Ramadan | Whiteboard Wednesday https://myswimpro.com/blog/2018/05/30... 👉To read the blog on advice for swimmers during Ramadan, click the link below: -https://myswimpro.com/blog/2020/04/23... 🎙To listen to previous podcast episodes, click on the link below: -How to be functional in your workouts with Adam Jongsm‪a‬ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... -How to maintain muscle gains during Ramadan with Belal Hafeez‪? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... -How to regain mobility during Ramadan with Dr. Je‪n‬ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... -Knee pain? How to go about it with Dr. Evan Osa‪r https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... -How getting started with swimming journey on land is very important with Ola‬ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... -How to get started with triathlon journey and how it can be for the Muslim woman in hijab with Khadija‪h‬ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... -Why total body conditioning is important for your swimming journey with Ol‪a https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... -How mental health is very important for swimmers during COVID-19 epidemic with Abbie Fis‪h https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... -How to keep up with swimming during Ramadan & during COVID-19 with Fares Ksebat‪i https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... -‬The mechanics behind dryland training for swimmers with Fabio Coman‪a https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... If you are ready to get started with one-on-one training or need help, book a call with Coach Ola at www.calendly.com/befit4akhirah and visit www.befit4akhirah.com for more programs to come. #swimmer #Ramadan #faithandfitness

As salam wa alekom and hi everyone! 

I am coming back to podcast, Alhamdulliah. It has been a while, and there are reasons behind that.

In this episode, I discuss the following:

To sign up to the upcoming Ramadan programs, please check the links below:

To learn more about the Integrate BPD program that I mentioned during episode, visit this website: https://integratebpd.com/

Check out br. Abdullah Routhman who also uses psycho-analytic approach incorporating Islamic psychology. 

If you would like to be part of our FB group, come and join us at Purposeful Fitness with Coach Ola on FB =)

Thank you for your support, and I hope this episode was helpful for you. 

Sincerely,

Coach Ola

Introduction

In today’s episode, from the #swim4akhirah campaign, Coach Ola, Jeri, and Khadijah will discuss the reality and struggles of triathlon racing and swimming for the Muslim woman and athlete. The perspectives shared are quite interesting and unique so please enjoy this podcast with us.

Summary and Key Takeaways

Overall, there are many potential struggles a Muslim athlete may have to face but there is definitely hope. Their stories can help motivate and inspire you to become an athlete and participate in a triathlon. They have overcome these hurdles and it is truly exceptional and exciting to learn how. With focus and determination, so much good is possible.

Here are some key takeaways:

~Struggles as a Muslim athlete are shared as well as stories of success and overcoming them.

~Racism as an athlete is touched upon as well as what we can do to help remedy it and protect ourselves from its many negative effects.

~How they prepared/trained for their triathlon journey.

Conclusion

Thank you for joining us for this interesting presentation! We hope that you’ve enjoyed it as much as we have. Wishing you confidence, happiness, and success on your journey ahead!

Be Strong. Be Fit. BeFit4Akhirah!

Questions? 

Email [email protected]

Be sure to join the Purposeful Fitness Facebook group for support, chances to win prizes, workout calendars, and more!

Introduction

In today’s episode, from the #swim4akhirah campaign, Coach Ola, Naadhirah, and Nipal will discuss the struggle of swimming for the muslim woman living in Africa.

Summary and Key Takeaways

Overall, this discussion delves into detail regarding what it's like to be a Muslim female swimmer in Africa. Please join us for this interesting discussion.

Here are some key takeaways:

~How did Fr3kls Aquatic begin?

~What problems and struggles might women in Africa experience as a Muslim swimmer?

~How can we support Muslim women in the middle east to become swimmers?

Conclusion

Thank you for joining us for this interesting presentation! We hope that you’ve enjoyed it as much as we have. Wishing you confidence, happiness, and success on your journey ahead!

Be Strong. Be Fit. BeFit4Akhirah!

Questions? 

Email [email protected]

Be sure to join the Purposeful Fitness Facebook group for support, chances to win prizes, workout calendars, and more!

Introduction

In today’s episode, from the #swim4akhirah campaign, Coach Ola and Abbie Fish will discuss how swimsuits can impact our mental health. This is an important topic for the modern day athlete as well as everyone else so be sure to tune in for the details!

Summary and Key Takeaways

Overall, this discussion delves into detail regarding swimsuits' impact on our individual mental health.

Here are some key takeaways:

~Michael Phelps, Missy Franklin, and Allison Schmitt were discussed as well as swimmings' impact on their mental health.

~Sleep is critical for mental health! Coach Ola and Abbie Fish discuss the importance of a sometimes neglected habit.

~Stress management is another important factor that is delved into and we cannot afford to overlook it.

~Swimsuits can have a negative effect on many people and this may lead to them feeling insecure about their own bodies and comparing themselves to others. This subject is also investigated.

Conclusion

Thank you for joining us for this interesting presentation! We hope that you’ve enjoyed it as much as we have. Wishing you confidence, happiness, and success on your journey ahead!

Be Strong. Be Fit. BeFit4Akhirah!

Questions? 

Email [email protected]

Be sure to join the Purposeful Fitness Facebook group for support, chances to win prizes, workout calendars, and more!

Introduction

In today’s episode, from the #swim4akhirah campaign, Coach Ola and Nura will discuss the importance of Muslim communities speaking up about swimming for future generations. Please join us on this interesting talk and learn why swimming should be a topic of discussion for Muslims.

Summary and Key Takeaways

Overall, this discussion delves into detail regarding the importance of swimming and why it should be discussed with Muslims. Also, the appropriate ages to begin speaking to children regarding swimming.

Here are some key takeaways:

~At what age should children first be introduced to and spoken with about swimming? The Red Cross had mentioned that babies as early as 6 months could be taught. Muslims are also recommended to learn swimming due to the fact that it may be considered a sunnah.

~The hazards of leaving children alone in the water are immense. The parents should have knowledge of swimming because children can drown in the time it takes to respond to a text. Children should always be taught to ask permission before entering the water.

~Aquaphobia was also mentioned as well as some strategies to deal with this fear.

Conclusion

Thank you for joining us for this interesting presentation! We hope that you’ve enjoyed it as much as we have. Swimming is important and should definitely be discussed within the Muslim communities!

Be Strong. Be Fit. BeFit4Akhirah!

Questions? 

Email [email protected]

Be sure to join the Purposeful Fitness Facebook group for support, chances to win prizes, workout calendars, and more!

Introduction

In today’s episode, from the #swim4akhirah campaign, Coach Ola and Shereen will discuss the history of the burkini. Please join us on this interesting talk and learn about the origins of the burkini and where it actually came from.

Summary and Key Takeaways

Overall, this discussion delves into detail regarding modest swimwear, where burkini originally came from, and the limitations that can come with modest fashion choices. It is important we recognize these key issues so we can make efforts to change how the world views modest swimmers.

Here are some key takeaways:

~The Christian/Jewish/Mormon groups actually were the first at popularizing modest swimwear.

~Burkini is actually a trademark term from a company and not just a style of bathing suit.

~Muslim teens may have felt limited fashion-wise due to the prior limited styles of modest swimwear.

~The design and fabrication of a swimsuit is also discussed.

~How did Splashgear come to be?

Conclusion

Thank you for joining us for this interesting presentation! We hope that you’ve enjoyed it as much as we have. Modest swimwear can be both stylish and comfortable and waves are being made to improve on that front. 

Be Strong. Be Fit. BeFit4Akhirah!

Questions? 

Email [email protected]

Be sure to join the Purposeful Fitness Facebook group for support, chances to win prizes, workout calendars, and more!