Kebko (26) is a real go-getter with a clear goal in mind: he wants to become one of the top trainers in the Netherlands. In Syria he studied chemistry at university, but since living in the Netherlands he has been doing everything he can to make his new dream come true. We asked him how that's going.
You studied chemistry, but now you want to become the best personal trainer in the Netherlands. That's quite a career switch.
I can't go back to student life: just studying and waiting another four years until I can start working. Besides, I don't necessarily see myself working in a laboratory either. It seemed interesting, but I don't feel a passion for it. Since I have been living in the Netherlands, I have been working. In the beginning full-time in a bar in Amsterdam. I put a lot of time and energy into someone else's business. You only get money in return, while work for me is also about getting a good feeling. I did get to know a lot of people. They often asked me how I saw my future. That got me thinking.
Then what?
While working in the hospitality industry, I was invited to come to the opening of a new gym nearby. I always exercised a lot, so I went to that opening. The gym was called PTA Personal Training Agency. There they saw what I could do and I was asked if I was interested in an internship. I got the number of the owner, Robert Schoot. Robert asked me where I wanted to end my career, rather than where I wanted to start. After all, if you have a clear idea of what your dream is, you can map out a path and take actions to achieve your goal. That's really important: making a choice and going for it one hundred percent.
You successfully completed the internship. What did you do after that?
After my internship, I was able to start training my first client. In addition, I still worked in the bar. Over time, I got more and more clients, so I was able to quit the catering business. Right now I'm coaching sixteen people, thanks in part to Robert. He gave me some of his own clients, which really gave me a good kick-start. I work as a self-employed person, but I really feel part of the company. It's a very new gym and in the beginning I helped a lot with developing the business. I learned a lot about how a business grows.
Can you talk more about your training method?
My main job as a trainer is to give people discipline to be able to do what they need to do to achieve their goals. I really try to get a click with a client first. After all, if people tell me more about their lifestyle - eating, sleeping, exercising - then I can give better advice. It's most important that people learn new habits. I find that an incredibly interesting process. And by now almost all my clients have become friends of mine, which makes the work extra fun.
How do you keep your work challenging?
I try to continuously develop myself by gaining as much knowledge and experience as possible. I do this for example through self-study and courses. I think it is important to know something about each sport so that I can provide my clients with the right techniques and exercises. I therefore practice various sports, such as weightlifting, kickboxing, yoga, krav maga, calisthenics and capoeira.
You talk about your craft with great enthusiasm.
True! My hobby has become my job. I think that's the best thing that can happen to you. It really gives me energy.
Do you want your own gym someday?
I get this question more often, but it's not an ambition of mine. When you own a gym your duties change. I just love coaching people. My goal is to become one of the top trainers in the Netherlands. I would also like to go abroad and coach people there. Above all, I want to have real work that I can do anywhere in the world.
You speak very positively about your future.
Definitely. Since a few months I really feel at home in the Netherlands: I have my own stable place and I earn my own money. From this situation I can think well about my next steps.
Do you have any advice for other people who are new to Holland?
It is important to think about what you really want to do. Find information, ask people around you for advice, build a network and - very important - learn the language! You really have to make that a priority. If I'm new somewhere, I want to learn to speak the language as soon as possible. For example, I lived in Turkey and the first thing I did there? Learn Turkish! And don't be afraid to make mistakes, it's only when you do it that you really learn. And if people notice that you have a goal and really want to do something, they will be happy to help you.
Can we still follow you somewhere?
You can follow my fitness journey on Instagram and if you'd like to train with me you can sign up on my website.It's important to think about what you really want to do. Find information, ask people around you for advice, build a network and - very important - learn the language! You really need to make that a priority.
