Meeting Ali during lockdown, it quickly became clear that his philosophy extends far beyond sets, reps or short-term goals. His work brings together fitness, nutrition and mindset with an emphasis on consistency, self-respect and resilience. He is particularly thoughtful about how health is shaped by lifestyle, pressure and mental wellbeing, and how progress must be realistic if it is to last.
Alongside a wide and varied client base, Ali has supported many individuals through significant personal health journeys, including contributing to Ed Sheeran’s fitness transformation. Yet recognition has never been the focus. What matters most to Ali is helping people feel stronger, more capable and more connected to their own health.
Here he talks to Gina Long, reflecting on his journey into personal training, what truly motivates lasting change, and why nutrition, movement and mindset must be approached together, particularly as we head into a new year.
What does East Anglia mean to you?
East Anglia is very much home to me, I know the roads of Suffolk like the back of my hand and I love the fact I always bump in to people I know. It offers so much and I enjoy discovering all the hidden gems dotted around, whether that’s a beautiful walk, a secret swimming spot or a café that I’ve never been to before.
What was your first job?
My first job was as a lifeguard working at Stradbroke Leisure Centre when I was 17. It was unknowingly a great start to my career in fitness. Not only did it develop my social skills, interacting with the team and public it also made me feel like I was a part of something valuable to the community.
What first drew you into personal training?
When I finished 6th form at Thomas Mills, I chose to study Sport and Exercise Science at Leeds Met university and while I was studying, I also qualified as a gym instructor. Fortunately, when I finished my degree, I was contacted by the manager at Stradbroke who needed an instructor to work at the newly opened gym. This was so important in how I learnt my trade – working with people of all ages, abilities, and lifestyles in a low-pressure environment. The more time I spent with the people there the more I knew where I wanted my career to go.
Who or what has most shaped your approach to health and wellbeing?
It is so difficult to put this down to one thing or person! I feel like each client I have worked with has offered a valuable contribution to shaping my approach. I made a fair few mistakes early on as a trainer- you really do think you know everything! These are certainly the most memorable lessons, especially when you lose a client. It’s far more important to have happy, injury free clients than training to satisfy your own ego.
What values guide the way you work with clients
Authenticity, consistency, empathy and patience. Although if you ask my clients they may give you a different answer! I think in order to be a good personal trainer you need to be yourself, otherwise you can’t bond with people. It’s also important to provide consistency, especially if it’s an area people find difficult with their own training.
Empathy is something I feel like our industry lacks – if you’re in a fitness job it tends to be something you find “easy”, but it’s important to realise not everyone does and to be successful we need to understand the challenges unique to that individual.
What does “being healthy” genuinely mean to you?
I believe being healthy is so much more than just the absence of illness. To me it’s about trying to do all the things I enjoy, in balance whilst still being able to take care of myself and the people I love.
Why do you believe exercise and nutrition must be considered together?
There is a phrase in the fitness community that says you can’t run a car on poor quality fuel. Exercise is fantastic for lots of things – improving your cardiovascular health, building muscle, strength, and improving mobility but pairing this with good nutrition will give you the best chance of success.
Things such as protein requirement for building muscle, hydration for energy levels or carbohydrates for endurance training all have a significant impact on how you perform during exercise and can affect the results of all the hard work you put in!
How do you help clients make change that is sustainable rather than short term?
It’s tough to sell sustainable change in a world of 30 day challenges and fad diets! I always look to underpin my sessions with a long-term approach. Even if someone has a holiday or event they are working towards, I try and reinforce the benefits of the long-term. People put so much effort in to getting in to shape it’s a real shame when that goes to waste. Fortunately my clients have all bought in to this approach- I still have a couple left from when I started 10 years ago, one of whom is 88 in April!
What role does mindset play in physical health?
Mindset is key for physical health. Change happens when people take responsibility for their actions and do not blame external factors for choices they make. If we believe we are in control of our own destiny then it gives the confidence we need to consistently make the right decisions! Building a confident and resilient mindset is something I really try to instil within my training. Setbacks can always be overcome – it is all just a part of the process!
You’ve supported many clients through significant health journeys, including contributing to Ed Sheeran’s fitness transformation. How do you reflect on your role in supporting people through that kind of change?
It has been incredible to be a part of that journey, seeing Ed achieve such an amazing change physically was very inspiring. His mindset and work ethic are second to none and it really shows in his success across the board.
What do you think people most misunderstand about fitness?
I think people don’t realise that it’s not necessary to devote your entire life to the gym to feel fit and healthy! For most people just getting your daily steps in (7000+) and training 2-3 times a week will make a huge difference to their life! It also doesn’t have to start at that frequency – it’s actually better to start small and build up the volume.
What brings you the greatest satisfaction in your work?
Forging relationships and chatting about life and any old thing that comes to mind. I have learnt so much from so many interesting people in the chat between exercises and become friends with many of my clients.
What does wellbeing look like beyond the gym?
This is a tricky one!! The gold standard is to get enough sleep, stay hydrated, walk regularly, manage stress, have loving relationships and rewarding hobbies. But to be honest if you can do
just a few of these things you’re heading in the right direction, no one is perfect – I am always trying to balance these things, I mean, who ever feels like they get enough sleep!
What gives you hope when it comes to how people are starting to think about health?
People are now thinking far more about bringing resistance training into their routines. For far too long it’s been a secondary consideration in comparison to other exercise methods, but it really offers so much benefit – especially as we age. Weights are for everyone!
What brings you joy outside of your work?
I love going for walks at our local beaches in Aldeburgh and Walberswick with my Fiancé Kerry and our miniature schnauzer Otto – the Suffolk coast is so beautiful and I am so grateful we live within a short drive! Going to see a DJ or live band, stepping on the dance floor at the beginning of the night and having to be dragged off at the end of it!
What is your specialist Mastermind subject?
‘Songs and their samples’. I’m a bit of a music nerd and I enjoy learning about how songs were created, especially the use of samples, like how Robbie Williams used a Barry white song in Rock DJ or Beyoncé’s crazy in love heavily featured a song by a band called the Chi-lites.
Your favourite place to switch off?
It’s clichéd but probably in the gym for mental switch off or just on the sofa with my fiancé – my job can mean I feel quite tense so I need time to relax physically too.
What’s always in your fridge?
This will sound incredibly worthy, but if there aren’t blueberries and milk for porridge in the morning then there’s something seriously wrong! I’m a creature of habit especially with breakfast.
Your favourite meal?
My Fiancé makes a great version of lasagne, cooked with gnocchi instead of pasta sheets, it’s got loads of veg in, but tastes so decadent and lasts for days after.
Your favourite tipple?
I would go for a negroni, I like the bitterness and when you start drinking it you’re not sure if it’s nice but by the end of it you’re having a great time!
What’s the most important lesson the past year has taught you?
Patience is a virtue! We bought a house two years ago and have been working on some renovations and it finally feels like it’s coming together, even though at times it felt like it never would.
Did you make any New Year’s resolutions?
A couple! Reducing my social media time and visiting new places. These go hand in hand as you can end up watching other people do the things you want to do on your phone. Me and my partner Kerry love exploring new towns and cities in the UK and abroad, especially when it involves food and drink!
Will you keep them?
Time will tell! Although they’re not completely new goals so hopefully easier to achieve than something I’ve never done before.
As we head into a new year, what simple philosophy guides how you live and work?
What does “success” mean to you now?
Success feels like achieving a good work life balance, that’s probably quite millennial of me but if I can feel like work is going well and I also have energy to have fun then that’s my idea of success.
Any new projects you would like to share? Our readers are very good at keeping secrets!
None that I can share at the moment, all I can say is watch this space!
What advice would you give to someone wanting to feel healthier in 2026 but unsure where to start?
Be kind to yourself! Start with small changes that are easy to implement – like adding another type of veg to your plate, drinking more water or putting 45mins in your diary every week to do a form of exercise you don’t hate!
Your favourite places to eat in East Anglia are?
Pinch at Maple farm – the team there are just perfectionists. Everything is so well balanced using local and seasonal ingredients it’s just delicious!
The Old Dairy at Oulton Broad, I love this because it ticks all the boxes for me – great food, amazing coffee and there’s a lovely walk into a nature reserve nearby along the river.
Lark in Bury St Edmunds – mouth watering small plates but not pretentious and in my opinion excellent value for the quality of what they offer.
Honourable mentions go to our local Black Dog Deli and the incredible Thai in Saxmundham!
I could go on but we’d be here all day – so many places I love to eat at!
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