On March 29, the NYU Abu Dhabi North Site brimmed with long overdue appreciation, admiration and affection for the beloved Fitness and Wellness specialists. About 150 students gathered on the Falcon Field to honor the dedication and commitment of Ayesha Al Suwaidi, Dalal Mustafa, Kaisa Pedersen and Jamie Burns who have spent a combined 30 years at NYUAD.

Al Suwaidi kicked off the two hour event with an energetic Zumba workout, followed by a ten-punch boxing combo to celebrate Pedersen’s 10 years at the university. Bryan Waterman, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Academic Development and Associate Professor of Literature, who is leaving for NYU New York after this academic year, led a high-intensity Tabata workout which included burpee variations. Burns then continued with engaging core exercises and Mustafa completed the workout with primal movements that allowed students to stretch and cool down.

Alongside the free açaí and gift bags which included Falcon-themed socks, movie tickets and coloring books among many other objects, Pedersen gave away boxing gloves to the most enthusiastic participant in the crowd.

The winner of one of these gloves, Daniel De Souza, Class of 2024, shared: “I am absolutely happy about it… and I loved the event, especially the boxing event. I put my heart and soul into it and yeah won the gloves… what can I say it was a lot of energy, a lot of exercise and my abs are killing me.”

The Last Workout marked the legacies of the Wellness Specialists and in particular their continued efforts to create an inclusive, brave and safe space for the NYUAD community to be vulnerable, learn and love.

“I think today’s programme demonstrated how special having the coaches here was and how incredible the Athletics program at NYUAD is,” said Juan Manuel Rodriguez, Class of 2024. “[Tabata] with Bryan Waterman was quite challenging and exciting… I had a lot of fun and even those of us who have not been as involved in the [Athletics] programme felt a sense of community and a sense of encouragement [overall].”

Wellness Specialists have continued their professional development over the years, including obtaining certifications to teach a variety of fitness and nutrition classes and have taken on roles as personal trainers and life coaches. With over [35 group fitness sessions] (https://gonyuathletics.com/sports/2009/9/8/RecreationClasses.aspx) available to students, faculty, staff, Tamkeen and contracted partners, the specialists have taught classes welcoming people from all ability levels to explore, engage and develop creative ways to reach their health and wellness goals.

“...I’ve taken quite a few [Physical Education] courses so far… I’ve taken four actually and honestly Olympic Weightlifting with Dalal was just my favorite and most amazing experience,” expressed Noora Jabir, Class of 2024. “It was completely new to me, I had never gone near weights before and the way she helped us approach it and the way she was pushing us [while] making sure she knew where we were… I just [loved] that. … She had this way of making sure that she knew each person, their capacity and [tailor[ed] the class towards that.”

Jabir added that Mustafa’s classes extended beyond physicality and adopted a more holistic orientation to wellbeing where each Olympic Weightlifting session, for instance, began with an introductory briefing on topics such as hygiene, menstruation, sleep patterns or diets and how these aspects affected weightlifting and experiences as students as a whole.

Wellness specialists also offer one on one wellness consultation sessions that provide students with an opportunity to get personalized recommendations on improving nutrition habits, physical conditions and stress as well as appropriate support options to reach their long-term wellness goals.

Jabir noted that sessions with Mustafa were critical in shifting her outlook on wellness as being inclusive of, both physical and emotional health. They also provided her with structure at a time she was struggling with mental health.

“...I was diagnosed with ADHD around the same time as [I started going for] wellness sessions… [and] I still remember the first meeting [where] she was like ‘Tell me how you are physically and also mentally?’... and she then helped me set and achieve my physical and academic goals [as] exercises is something that is recommended especially with ADHD because it helps with focus because it [ADHD has a lot to do with] dopamine deprivation.” Jabir said.

“She really was a friend and a coach in one person for me and the fact that she’s also a Muslim woman of color just helped her relate to my experiences more and because of that she knew exactly what I needed during a lot of difficult times last semester… and I don’t think I could’ve gotten through some challenges without [her] guidance,” expressed Jabir, who went on to refer to Mustafa as her “campus mom”.

Ruqayyah Irshadeen, Class of 2025, described the mentorship of Mustafa as one of accommodation and utmost care: “Every Tuesday she would send me an email and teach me how to do exercises… [and] always took her time to listen to me and make sure I was being heard and [that] she could cater to me. Dalal would [ensure that] beginners… weren’t really left behind and everyone was accommodated… and [she] is someone that I will just always look up to and someone that I'm going to really miss.”

Rodriguez, similar to Jabir and Irshadeen, spoke about how inclusive, inspiring and vitalizing Pedersen was as an instructor: “I’ve taken two classes with KP, one was during my Marhaba week [which was] one of the introductory classes and the other one was [a] HIIT strength and core class… last week [and] both times she was incredibly comprehensive and she made sure that every person was working at their own pace and was always paying close attention to each other’s well being.”

“Her energy is incredible,” he marveled. “She is always excited and motivates you to do your best in a really positive and encouraging way and makes her classes feel like a lot of fun rather than something you should do.”

Pedersen’s classes have often served as spaces that cultivate values of compassion, open mindedness and meaningful emotional connections within athletic communities, with a commitment to get to know, understand and ultimately care for each other.

“I did a HIIT class on Zoom with KP [and] it is honestly the most challenging… fitness class on campus but what is wonderful is the community they have. People that would show up every single week to build their fitness levels… a lot of professors [join] and they encourage each other. KP knows who they are, who is supposed to show up and you can see how supportive [and] invested… they are in each other's fitness journeys,” said Genie Hou, Class of 2024.

In addition to offering fun and creative workouts for members of the NYUAD community, Al Suwaidi provided a space to confidently and comfortably explore and reconnect with one’s body.

“I would describe Zumba [with Al Suwaidi] as energetic. She had an energy and picked the songs so intentionally so that the class was just very non-stop and everyone was engaged. It was a really good way to move my body and I think she helped us explore different kind[s] of movements and I think that it is very important to try new workouts and do different things than just going to the gym. Zumba is so so fun and she is such a good teacher,” said Sanam Parwani, Class of 2024.

Lulu Qonita, Class of 2021, went on to talk about the powerful ways in which Al Suwaidi’s charismatic energy sort of uplifts the entire class: “I’d describe my relationship with Ayesha and her Zumba classes as empowering! I think it was such a safe space to have a women's only class… She is always so excited to show us her moves and to encourage us to follow her, no matter our levels.”

Burns has created a supportive network for many students to kickstart and develop their fitness journeys. “My relationship with Jamie was very fundamental because I needed a trainer because I had no idea of what I was supposed to do in the gym. I wanted someone who was not a friend to guide me and that's what he did… our relationship was formal but also casual and he gave me a good routine that introduced me to what a full body workout was and how I could transition into more intensive workouts,” shared Aditya Balakrishnan, Class of 2024.

“One thing I’ll miss the most is how excited he is all the time, how much he talks to give you all his wisdom and it’s a great thing for someone who is involved in fitness to be such a good and enthusiastic communicator.” Balakrishnan added.

Ricardo Sheler, Class of 2024 and a visiting student, also added that he will remember the funny stories that Burns told him in their Beginner Resistance Training class and the personalized relationship they have built.

“It’s been really nice to avidly learn from him and feel like he’s actively nurturing me [by] correcting a couple small things that I’ve been messing up over the years and feel a lot more secure of what I’m doing in the gym. I admire his mastery and that’s a lot of what I’ve been doing and gaining from him… just being able to master foundations of things that open up a whole plethora of opportunities for growth for myself,” noted Sheler.

He added: “I don’t really feel like there’s this kind of relationship with athletic trainers on the main campus… I haven’t even been connected or notified or seen any resources that are so individualized like we do here and I think I’ll really miss feeling that connection that someone on campus is willing to pour into you athletically in your training in a way that’s not a widely available resource.”

The Last Workout was a bittersweet moment for many. It was a space for people to come together and celebrate, both themselves and individuals who have played a critical role in the integration of physical and mental health of the NYUAD community and initiated annual NYUAD traditions, such as the Pink Games, an annual event held during Breast Cancer Awareness month to educate students and staff on breast health, and World Kindness Week which has continued even during the pandemic.

Many students will miss starting their Mondays or Thursdays with positive and vibrant energy that overflows during their fitness classes, or the comfort of running into a familiar face that offers their time and unconditional support.

The event was a time of communal love, respect and gratitude for Pedersen, Al Suwaidi, Burns and Mustafa who have fulfilled roles of a mentor, guide and friend.

“I was thrilled to see how many people came out to honor the folks that were leading the workouts, the four wellness specialists and Bryan Waterman,” shared Wayne Young, Director of Wellness. “It was joyous because people were having a good time and people were working hard and I think for me [what I will miss most] is their connection with students... I’ll just miss who they are and how they connect with students for different reasons.”