Fatima Batooq is a motivational Saudi sport clothes line business owner who turned her own personal predicament into a big success.

“I was morbidly obese, vulnerable to the risks of diabetes and heart diseases,” Fatima opened her inspirationally shocking story.

“I did not know I was in a critical situation because of my routine. There was nothing in school to practically help change my bad eating habits.”

After realizing the danger of her medical condition, she started doing exercises and random diets. However, she went through moments of despair where she almost gave up. “Nothing showed immediate results. I almost left it there. I started yoga and meditation sessions that helped me tremendously in my war against obesity.

I also started walking then later running, spinning and many different types of sports. I had a set goal and within 4-5 years, I reached the weight I once was dreaming about.”

“During my battle against my excessive weight, I learned to love myself. If I do not, no one else will. Therefore, when advertising for my fashion collections, I give motivational presentations where I include photos of me “before” and “after.” Now if a day passes by without exercise, I have to get myself on track. That is the message I send to my audience through my Twitter network account where we encourage each other to move.”

Commenting on how she came up with the idea of sports fashion line, Fatima said: “Even though I am located in Bahrain for family reasons, but I run my business also in Saudi Arabia. Actually Saudi Arabia has facilitated my business. Shop owners are very supportive to local talents and offer support by all means. I had support from friends and family then I went to Brazil to choose the fabrics and designs. By December 2012 the first collection arrived in Saudi Arabia.”

Talking about the expansion of her collection, she said: “We now have a store in Riyadh and Jeddah. We have a plan to expand more with time. Within five years, we hope to open a flagship store in Dubai.”

“The support we need is not from a governmental party, it is rather from the society. Some Saudis still prefer foreign brands at the expense of local brands, regardless of the quality. Thus I always encourage them to try our products before jumping into judgments,” said Fatima on the kind of support her company needs.