Initially referred to Haig Balekian by Dr. Uchil Lalit, Medical Superintendent of Welcare Ambulatory Hospital, Dubai in February 2008 for reasons related to high cholesterol count. The options were immediate medication or lifestyle change. After 5 months of working three time a week with Haig, cholesterol count was deceased by 22%, and after 18 months by 38% to a sub normal value through guided and adapted physical activity and nutritional recommendations.

Other benefits of Haig’s support include

• avoidance of neck surgery on a significantly herniated disc at C5/C6 level through adapted physical activity that also allowed for prevention of injury and greater awareness of body posture and position facilitating improved general performance and return to active sports e.g. scuba diving;

• reaching a high level of fitness that allowed for competitive involvement at open sea kayaking;

• engaging in training sessions that were designed to prepare for an 8 day expedition to climb Mt Kilimanjaro (5895 msl), along with specific guidance and recommendations to achieve a level of physical fitness that resulted in meeting this challenge with confidence, and succeeding without injury .

• marked increase in ability to manage stress and improved quality of social life.

Haig has a unique talent to inspire, challenge and motivate one to continuously move beyond stretch goals and achieve more than thought possible.

His knowledge across a range of disciplines, such as physiology, nutrition and psychology, ensures that sessions whilst highly focused remain holistic and as a result lifestyle changing.

Over three years later Haig continues to support me on my journey to physical fitness and wellbeing.