🔥 The Unbreakable Circle: Heat, Grit, & Mindset for Desert OCR & Hybrid Fitness

🔴 Ambassador Panel Discussion: Haythem, RO, Abdullah & George (Host)

Instagram handle - haythemhosny audiomonkey, abdulla_alfadhul black__incarnation

Ambassador's code for the upcoming DEKA FIT event at the Coca-Cola Arena

• Haythem20
• Roshan20
• Addulla20
• George20

💯 Register for DEKA FIT Dubai @ Coca-Cola Arena here

Follow Spartan Race Middle East

• Spartan Race Middle East - spartanmiddleeast
• DEKA Middle East deka.middleeast
• Tough Mudder Middle East toughmuddermiddleeast
• Spartan Run Club on Starva here

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & THEMES

The Reality of OCR: Grit, Guts, and Community

What does it actually take to be "unbreakable" in the Middle East obstacle course racing scene?

In this episode of The Race Space Podcast, RA George sits down with Spartan ambassadors Haythem, Roshan, and Abdullah. From brutal injury comebacks to surviving the scorching heat of the Liwa desert, they reveal what goes on behind the scenes of the sport—and why raw passion always beats an influencer paycheck.

🔴 The Reality of "Unbreakable": The panel didn't sugarcoat the sport. Abdullah sharing his brutal story of tearing both lats during a Trifecta weekend, Roshan fighting through a three-disc herniation, and Haythem literally crawling on all fours in Liwa perfectly encapsulated the mental grit required.

🔴 Ambassadors vs. Influencers: A powerful segment where the guys emphasized that they do this for the pure passion and community, not a paycheck. They act as the literal backbone and face of the brand in the region.

🔴 Constructive Feedback for Spartan ME: Abdullah dropped some excellent, candid truth bombs about wanting the organization to expand demographically beyond just the UAE to reclaim its true "Middle East" tour status, alongside a call for a clearer, structured ambassador program. Roshan also threw a massive plug in for wanting an Ultra event in the region.

🔴 Tactical Takeaways: Great conversational value for listeners—from the importance of specialized footwear (shoutout to Hoka) and compression socks to the hilarious "what not to do" nutrition tips (like Abdullah's warning about pre-race iced Americanos).

🔴 Subscribe to The Race Space Podcast on Spotify so you never miss an episode!

🔥 Episode Overview

In this episode, R.A George sits down with Hussain to talk about mindset, sustainability in fitness, Spartan racing, hybrid training, and the difference between passion and talent.

From being an extremely skinny child to becoming a Spartan ambassador, Hussain shares the lessons that shaped his journey — and the mindset that fuels his performance.

Upcoming Spartan DEKA event - Use code Hussain20

2026 DEKA FIT Skydive Dubai - Register here

Hussain Alessa’s IG- coach_hussain

Fit Story - YouTube channel here

Fit Story - @fitstiry

DEKA Strong 13th March T27 Roadshow here

DEKA Strong 14th March Spirit Level here

🧠 Key Topics Covered💡 Powerful Quotes🏃 Spartan OCR & DEKA Insights🎯 Advice for Beginners

Key highlights:

• Why most people gain weight during Ramadan (and how to avoid it)

• Sustainability vs extreme dieting

• The turning point that made Hussain become a coach

• Passion vs being “good” at something

• How Spartan racing builds mental resilience

• The 3-second mindset rule before any obstacle

• Favorite obstacle (Monkey Bars) & most hated (Spear Throw 😅)

• Why discipline beats motivation every time

• The danger of obsession in fitness

• Hybrid fitness vs traditional training

• Preventing overtraining with proactive deload weeks

• How to find your peak performance zone

• Why mindset is something AI can never replace

“You’re capable of more than you think.”

“Discipline over motivation — any day.”

“Fitness should complement your life, not take over your life.”

“Most limits exist in the mind before they exist in reality.”

• You don’t need to be elite to start

• Focus on running comfortably + grip strength

• No excuses — you can train with minimal equipment

• Every obstacle is won or lost in the mind first

• Focus on the bigger picture

• 9/10 right is better than chasing perfection

• Recovery is part of training

• Sustainability beats short-term intensity

Hussain Alessa is a certified trainer, Spartan Middle East Ambassador, and podcast host dedicated to making fitness accessible and sustainable. His mission is simple: help people become stronger — physically and mentally.

🔥 Spartan Middle East Ambassadors Panel –Shadi Nasser, Jason Castillo + Fahad Taqi + RA George (Host)

Join George in this power-packed episode of The Race Space Podcast as he sits down with Spartan Race Middle East Ambassadors Shadi, Jason, and Fahad for an inspiring panel chat ahead of the iconic race at Bab Al Shams (April 19).

USE DISCOUNT CODE : FOR 20% Discount

- SHADI20

- JAYSON20

- FAHAD20

-GEORGE20

***For Night Discount 30% use the following codes*** NIGHT ONLY

- SHADINIGHT30

- JAYSONNIGHT30

-FAHADNIGHT30

-GEORGENIGHT30

Spartan Race Middle East - 19th April event - Sign up here Spartan Race The Arena, Bab Al Shams - Dawn 'Til Dusk

• 
  
• Super 5km + 20 Obstacles

Contaxt details for panel members

Shadi Nasser: IG @shadijehadnaseer

Jason Castillo: IG @masterjayson

Fahad Taqi : IG @Fahad_taqi

RA George (Host): IG @black_incarnation

💥 Expect stories, insights, laughs, and serious OCR wisdom from the best in the region!

🏁 Topics Covered:

• Meet the Ambassadors – Personal stories from Shadi, Jason, and Fahad on how they got into Spartan Racing
  

• Most Memorable Races – From brutal 26km challenges to emotional fire jumps and team-based achievements
  

• OCR as a Metaphor for Life – Overcoming physical and mental adversity on and off the course
  

• Advice for First-Time Racers – Training tips, hydration, gear suggestions, and mental preparation
  

• Family and Community Vibes – How Spartan racing becomes a lifestyle, with even kids joining the movement
  

• Spartan Race at Bab Al Shams – Expectations, new obstacles, gear recommendations, and heat preparation for the Dubai event
  

• Hybrid Fitness & AI in Sport – Thoughts on HYROX, DEKA, and the role of AI coaches in training
  

• What it Means to be an Ambassador – Responsibility, passion, and impact on the local fitness community
  

• The Iconic Fire Jump – The emotional moment that symbolizes every Spartan’s journey
  

• Post-Race Rituals – Recovery routines, cheat meals, and how Spartan racing becomes a family tradition

💬 Key Quotes:

“Spartan is not just a race—it’s a lifestyle.” – Shadi

“Just sign up. That’s the first step.” – Fahad

“Being an ambassador is about inspiring others.” – Jason

🎧 Listen if you:

• Are racing on April 19 at Bab Al Shams

• Want to hear what OCR life is really like

• Need motivation to do your first (or next!) Spartan race

• Love stories of grit, teamwork, and personal growth

• Want gear tips, race prep hacks, and post-race rituals
  

🔥 Final tip: Just sign up. The first step is showing up. The rest will follow. 🙌

📲 Follow us on IG: @theracespacepodcast 🌐

🎉 Don’t forget to rate, follow & share with your Spartan crew!