It’s no surprise that Saudi Arabia is going through an overhaul when it comes to fitness. Saudis are becoming more aware of the dangers of their lifestyles and it’s changing bit by bit with the help of an abundance of health professionals and instructors both local and foreign. Fitness centers are opening up everywhere and fitness trainers from all over the world are flocking into the country with the intent of helping many change their lifestyles for the better. A little more than a year ago, an Aussie fitness trainer and health enthusiast took the chance and moved to a location half way across the world, into new territory, somewhere different from all that is known to him and made it into a home.

Jason Harris, a 25-year-old MMA trainer, professional kick boxer and MMA fighter for 10 years and founder of Allegiance Unlimited for 15 years from New South Wales, Australia took a chance and decided to move 10,000 km away from all that is known to him to move to the desert country that is Saudi Arabia in hopes of bringing his knowledge in the health and fitness field to the Kingdom to help many who are looking for guidance. Not only is Jason a trainer, he’s also posting video logs of his days in Jeddah, from the very beginning, he’s been exploring and discovering the city and documenting them from an interesting perspective.

The enthusiastic trainer granted Arab News an interview, in which we learned of why he’s here and heard more about his vlog.

AN: Your vlogs are very positive, interesting and you’re quite inquisitive when it comes to the Saudi culture. Who is Jason Harris and why are you vlogging?

JH: I’m an Australian fitness trainer, kick boxer and nutritionist. I’ve come to Jeddah to work at a gym as a fitness trainer and like you said I’m an inquisitive person and I’ve been vlogging about Jeddah not only for my pleasure but to also show my friends, family and basically anyone who is willing to take a look into what Saudi Arabia is really about. Saudi Arabia is diverse, it’s different and it’s huge with a mash up of so many different ethnicities, cultures and nationalities all living in this huge country. I’m doing this because I saw that our view as foreigners isn’t really that friendly toward another foreign country so secluded, mysterious and misunderstood ... I don’t see any of that, it’s a VERY friendly place, it’s not mysterious at all, it’s actually the exact opposite, it’s exciting and new and different and as for the misunderstood part; the media can’t be more wrong, Saudis are just like everyone else in the world trying to get through their lives one day at a time, hardworking, educated and very determined to better themselves in every field.

AN: You’re a long way from home, how did you end up coming to Jeddah of all the places?

JH: It all actually started through an e-mail I received at 2 a.m. one day offering me a job in Jeddah as a fitness trainer. I didn’t know what to make of it, personally I thought someone was trying to scam me, after some convincing from my wife, I replied just to see what would happen next and it turned out to be a true offer and a dialogue was started. I was offered an invitation and being in the health and fitness business for 15 years, I founded United Allegiance, I felt that I could use a change from my small town in Australia and just went for it.

AN: Upon arrival to the Kingdom, what was your first impression of it?

Naturally, I did my research before anything. I’m a pretty realistic individual, I don’t usually believe the extremes mentioned in the media. I knew that this is a very religious country and that there are a lot of restrictions, the only difference is that I didn’t understand what that really meant until I arrived. I was even wondering if I could wear shorts on the plane and what would happen when I get there. I was told that as long as there are no speedos involved then you’re good to go. Many websites of course offer information that I thought was a bit absurd, one website even mentioned that I would be arrested if I came in close to 1 meter of a woman!

AN: You’re joking right?

JH: I am telling you that this was actually written!

AN: Well that’s the first I’ve heard of it and I’m a Saudi!

JH: Out of all the information I’ve read, it couldn’t be more opposite. I have never felt safer; my wife feels the same way. If you’re walking home at 3 a.m., no one would harm you, no one will harass my wife like some of those websites allege for example. It’s a safe place, difficult yes, can get lonely if you don’t have a family but for all that it’s worth, it’s a great city with a lot of friendly people and a lot of respect to expats.

AN: You mentioned the word “safe,” can you elaborate a bit?

JH: Yes and I’ll let you know why. Back in Australia, I was working also as a security guard and I’ve seen a lot of violence and they are mostly due to alcohol consumption and you would never see that in Saudi Arabia. Once you take away drugs and alcohol from people, you pretty much take away the violence.

AN: What did you fear most in Saudi Arabia?

JH: You’d laugh at me. I was freaking out on the plane getting here, I was sick to my stomach and was shocked when we reached Saudi airspace how much the country had no color. We do have deserts in Australia but we also have a lot of green, I couldn’t see a hint of green anywhere and I wanted the plane to turn around and take me back to Australia. Another observation, it can get very lonely here without your family and friends. But like I like it here, not much to fear, oh wait except maybe for the drivers ... I’m sorry but you have the craziest drivers I’ve ever encountered! Yes definitely drivers!

AN: You’ve been in Jeddah for a little over a year now, there is a misconception of Saudis that we’re very lazy people, depending on everyone but ourselves in everything. What do you think of us now?

JH: It is a misconception, there are a lot of people here that lack the understanding of providing a healthy lifestyle for themselves and their families, but they’re willing to do so and I am here to bring that knowledge and spread it to anyone who is willing to learn. I think it’s a major misconception, I see females in the late afternoon donning their abayas under the hot sun and they’re exercising and walking, that’s a positive start, they wouldn’t do that unless they want to change something in their lifestyles, right? Spreading the message of health is an absolute passion of mine, it’s my calling in life and my motto is to try to change lives one by one.

AN: Surely you’ve noticed the amount of restaurants and cafes in the city as well as expanding waistlines, yet there is somewhat of an understanding of what it would take to have a healthier lifestyle. From a professional point of view, what do you see?

JH: The industry here is very young and they’re still trying to get through the basics of what a healthy lifestyle is all about. That doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t get it, they just need a push from time to time and as a nutritionist and fitness instructor, that’s my purpose for being here. From a fitness perspective, there’s potential, I train men and women of different ages and I see the hard work they put into their workouts, pushing their limits again and again. From a nutritional perspective, I’d say there’s a long long way to go. I always encourage my clients and basically anyone who asks for fitness advice to stick to natural and clean produce, eating clean can influence the change of your body more positively than “diet” cereal for example.

AN: So tell us about your vlog. Your main concept revolves around the people and places you visit in Jeddah, how is that going for you?

JH: I think it’s going great, I’ve met so many nice people and I’m discovering many places all the while documenting them in my vlog. This city is beautiful, it’s so diverse and there are so many places to discover from the beaches in the city’s outer limits to old Jeddah, I’m truly enjoying it. I didn’t think my vlog would spread so fast and with so many views worldwide, but this positive impact helps motivate me to keep doing it. The media abroad always depicts Saudi Arabia in such a harsh way, my vlogs show a different side, a more positive natural side of the stories. I get to meet so many nice people, very inspirational young individuals that are just like you and me, trying to get through the day just like everyone else in the world.

AN: What topics do you prefer to stay away from in your vlogs?

JH: I try my best to stay away from religious and political topics. Saudi Arabia is a religious country and I respect the religion and the boundaries I can’t cross for the sake of not offending anyone. It’s a daily part of the lives here but I don’t need to mention it in every post, I prefer to stay away from religion so there wouldn’t be any kind of misunderstanding or negative criticism.

AN: How has the feedback been from members of your community back in Australia as well as your fellow Australians?

JH: The feedback has been great, I’ve been getting a lot of e-mails and messages asking me questions about the people and the places I visit. For some odd reason, not many understand that Saudi is just like any other place, maybe because they don’t have a clear picture of what life is like here. I’ve received so many e-mails and messages asking me about what schools are like for example, supermarkets, malls ... etc. A teacher from Australia asked me to post a video with my young friend Ahmed teaching Arabic to her students back home, another previously asked if kids have the same facilities as do Australian kids and the answer is of course they do.

AN: What differences and similarities have you found between the modern day Australian and his Saudi counterpart?

JH: Oh there are so many differences, each culture is different. Australia had an early start and Saudi Arabia is quite new, yet Saudis are catching up fast. One significant difference I found, a positive one at that, is how much family means to Saudis. It’s a very family oriented society, weekends are for families and I see so many families gather at the family matriarch home after Friday prayers, I think that’s beautiful. A lot of families lounge on the corniche while their kids play in the waters off of North Obhor, we Australians do the same, we love our weekends too; it’s very relaxing and something I hope to carry on myself when I get home to my family.

AN: What’s your favorite thing to do in Jeddah?

JH: I love a good coffee shop, I’m very passionate about coffee and I love a good coffee. I also love starting my day at a good breakfast place with my wife, it reminds me of home.

Jason’s video posts cover topics from his trials learning the Arabic language, workouts of the day, health advice as well as nutritional advice, his adventures around the city with his wife and lots more. The array of videos give an idea of what Jason is trying to portray for the outside world, a vibrant beautiful city rich with culture in an ever evolving world.

It’s very interesting to see the positive impact the Kingdom has made on Jason and the way this impact is portrayed in his vlogs. Follow more of Jason Harris’ vlogs on his Facebook profile page and his Instagram for more of Saudi Arabia and the people that make it what it is.

—

Email: [email protected]