TEDx offered a platform for business entities and personalities to approach systematic commerce of Saudi Arabia. However, someone asked a question more pertinent in its connotation. “Why do we need a health revolution?” asked Rayan Karkadan at TEDx Arabia held at Dar Al-Hekma College in Jeddah on Oct. 6. The answer he told us was simple: “Because some diseases are irreversible.”

At TEDx, he spoke about health issues circumventing Saudi society. Karkadan has initiated his health reform in three simple, small steps. He told Arab News: “I started health coaching before Ramadan and persevered during Ramadan in initiating a support system for people.” He explained the three steps varied in their applications. He has derived a focus group and meets with them once a week. He also has a Twitter hashtag #mcjigger and a group on Facebook.

Karkadan said he works with people who need help, assistance or support in their venture of leading a healthy lifestyle. “If they need someone, even if it is someone to listen to, I am ready to listen.”

Karkadan thought about portraying the idea of health enigma in a bigger context and hence conjured “health revolution” as his TEDx presentation. He asked the audience to engage and participate in the health revolution that he struggles to initiate in the minds of people.

Karkadan spoke to Arab News about his contribution to Saudi society.

Tell us about your background.

I’m a Saudi Med student, going into my sixth year this year inshAllah. The reason I entered was other than the conventional answer that is to save lives, but to also help people, human beings. I’ve grown keen with the human being over the years. From the science we study at school, to communications, human relations, development and empowerment, I’ve learned and practiced elsewhere through my extracurricular activities. The sad truth is I believe the bar is often set too low in universities, which is why I will have to say that the diversity and versatility I’ve acquired were mostly outside the bounds of my university.
 

By making it the talk of the town and by using the trending tools (social media). Also, by making the concepts and ways of sustaining health easy to understand, and not some technical medical stuff.


The human being inspires me. Also, common people who hear stories of people taking charge of their health and deciding to do the same and thus changing their lives forever. That warmth keeps me going.
 

First of all, mcjigger and health coaching are different things. Mcjigger is the support system that motivates people. Health coaching is a service that has just started. Nonetheless, all of them fall under the concept of tools that serve to move the health revolution. Health coaching so far has only been with people my age and older. Therefore, I don’t really know its potential with children, as it’s really a service that is done one on one. However, group seminars or workshops in schools could be arranged.
 

What should be definitely discarded are the foods that are high in calories, refined and processed sugars and artificial colors and additives. I can’t say what should be introduced yet until we research and find something both healthy and attractive to children
 

We don’t understand “why” we should take care of health. Some might take it for granted. The problem is, it will not show completely until it is irreversible to a certain degree.
 
To watch Rayan Karkadan's speech at TEDx Arabia, please visit: