Jamal is originally from Switzerland but ended up living in Thailand to practice and fight Thai Boxing for a few years. Being very underweight, struggling with confidence, and frequently getting sick and injured led him to lifting weights.

Getting stronger and more resilient and adding 20 kg of bodyweight massively improved his health and overall well-being. He also believes that the mental health benefits of resistance training and getting strong are as important as the physical benefits.

He currently coaches out of a small boutique gym in Bangkok and has broad experience in teaching people how to lift weights. From 12-year-old athletic kids to 80-year-olds suffering from Parkinson’s to Thai national team cyclists.

Outside of the gym, Jamal’s main interests center around geeky activities such as playing video games and board games or reading books about the lord of the rings and philosophy. He also runs workplace fitness workshops and was an active Toastmaster, competing in regional public speaking competitions.

In-person coaching:

BASE Bangkok, Thailand