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Meet the athlete: Abu Ilias

The man, who is constantly in rocket mode, may already be known to some people from various social networks, especially Instagram, where he provides entertainment with creative vlogs from every area of ​​his everyday life. But this is the point where his true potential only begins. In addition to his everyday work, the rocket man is a real powerhouse in a wide variety of sports, be it fitness, men's physique, crossfit or MMA. Furthermore, as a personal coach, he has supported professionals such as Lom-Ali and other elite athletes from various disciplines in achieving their goals. He is also always good for surprises and amazes with unexpected talents (just take a look at his Instagram account). You can find out more about his attitude and views on his goals, why he can't possibly be reduced to just being a Men's Physique athlete and what experiences he has had along the way with the Phantom training mask in this interview. So: Rocket mode on and off we go.

 

 

What was your very first contact with sport, where did you start?

Abu Iliad: I used to play football, then karate and jiu-jitsu. However, my health took a toll on me, I suffered five torn cruciate ligaments and the doctors diagnosed that I would always be limited as a result, let alone be able to do sports properly again. That was very, very hard.

However, I didn't let that get me down. Because I was told that it would be helpful to support my joints through targeted muscle training, I started fitness and strength training. I quickly started having a lot of fun with it.

When did you realize that sport was something you wanted to do professionally?

Abu Iliad: Sport has always been something that simply gave me something. In addition, I never wanted to be dependent on anyone, neither in terms of work nor in other areas.

In 2011 MMA came to Germany more and more, I always enjoyed watching it. This sport was also something that people enjoyed watching. I also trained as much as possible in this area myself, but without any ambition to fight myself. Because of my existing connection to martial arts, the first athletes I coached were martial artists who became aware of me through social networks.

You have acquired a number of licenses in the fitness and training sector, including master personal trainer and performance coach etc. Was that also your goal to achieve the highest possible licenses in order to be independent of others?

Abu Iliad: Yes, that's it. At that time, I had already been making my coaching videos via social networks for a long time, based on my own experience and the knowledge that I had acquired over time. However, studio owners kept coming along who complained because their clients thought my content was cool and tried to put obstacles in my way.

Like, I don't know what I'm talking about, I haven't had any training, etc. That's why I decided: Abu, you sit down now and get your licenses, then no one can tell you anything anymore. And ideally all of them. That's how I did it.

However, I am still of the opinion that a piece of paper does not determine your skills. You can put on any kind of pretense there is, but if you lack the charisma and enthusiasm to inspire or reinforce the passion for the sport in your clients, you will never be able to do your job well.

Every person is individual, how do you go about achieving your maximum potential?

Abu Iliad: When an athlete comes to me, I don't care what background they have, whether they're a professional athlete, a hobbyist, or maybe someone who's never played sports before. For me they are all athletes. Anyone who has the desire to change something about themselves and is willing to work hard for it is an athlete. And my success is his success.

The first contact is sometimes the most important. I find out what kind of person is coming to me. I listen carefully to his goals, find out what previous experience he already has, whether there are health concerns, injuries, etc. - in other words, the complete package. I then analyze this in detail in collaboration with various first-class doctors. These are real luminaries who still “believe in good things,” so to speak. Not like when I was told I could never exercise again.

What I value in an athlete is that they must have the will to move forward. A lot depends on whether we come together or not. I then look at what requirements he still has room for improvement in his individual discipline. Is he an MMA fighter? Is it because of the technique that he is not yet as successful as he could be? Can you improve explosive power, etc. The whole thing is a very intensive analysis on all levels.

Often I don't have much time left because, to stick with the example of MMA, the athletes don't come to me three months or more before the fight, as is actually necessary, but a maximum of 6-8 weeks.

What is your motivational tip?

Abu Iliad: Motivation is something that has to start deep within you. Those who are unable to do this are usually blocked by something. I then have to find out and analyze this so that I can work on it afterwards.

I have always experienced more downs than ups. Despite everything, I always got back on my feet, no matter how great the suffering. That's what I give people. It's important to pull that lever in your head that keeps you in the past and move on.

 

 

Who is coaching you?

Abu Iliad: I don't have anything definite at the moment. Of course I was and am always in care. Especially before competitions and during the diet phase, it is important that there is someone who keeps an eye on me. Nothing can replace this outside view.

What is your personal greatest success?

Abu Iliad: My personal freedom. In the past, I was always dependent on something or someone, be it at work or privately. That's not the case anymore. Today I don't care what happens because I know it will pass again. Everything in life has a reason, even if it feels extremely hard at the moment, in the situation.

And your biggest “defeat”?

Abu Iliad: There was something in the past that really got me down, something personal. It still does today, but it will probably be resolved in the next few years.

How do you approach problems or obstacles?

Abu Ilias: was I already said: everything has a purpose. Even if it's hard, you have to get through it. Nowadays, many people are strongly influenced by their problems, on all levels, whether work, private, social contacts, etc. Before something like that happens and you are completely inhibited, you simply can't think, you have to move on. Everything else will then be taken care of. This isn’t something I’ve heard in any “motivational video.” This is real, I see it in myself every day. Many people think, of course, Abu is successful, you can talk like that. But hey, I'm a normal guy, eat the same bread as you, drink the same water. I'm not VIP, I'm not George Clooney. I am Abu Ilias, proud father of an Elias, but nothing more.

 

 

Among other things, you are also an IFBB/DBFV Mens Physique Athlete. How did you find this sport?

Abu Ilias: This developed from the fitness training I did to rehabilitate my numerous injuries. I am someone who needs challenge and competition.

When I played football, I trained hard and intensively so that I could perform at my best in the game. So that at the end of the season it will be called “Abu Ilias top scorer”. I also wanted to compete in fitness and be the best. When I found out that there was such a thing as men's physique contests, I started training for it.

Even then, I was told it was something I would never be able to do. And hey, I did it. Because I had the will and never let myself get down. Even if I don't end up on the podium, you gain a lot of experience, you can look at the competition and you have something to work on again. That's why I'll start again next spring.

Maintaining a balance between work, sport and private life or combining these with each other?

Abu Iliad: In my everyday life, sport predominates in every area. I work in this industry and of course I also have to convey a “sporty” appearance to customers, etc. My partner is an athlete herself, which is why she supports and understands me, we make a good team.

Otherwise, time management is the ultimate. If you get up too late, you're out of luck given the tight schedule, there's no other way to put it.

 

 

Your modeling career started with...?

Abu Iliad: My mother did everything right. I can not say more about that.

And how did you get involved with Ninja Warrior?

Abu Iliad: It's my wife's fault. We were sitting together watching TV in the evening when there was a commercial break for the show. At the time she said, “Oh come on, that would be something for you.” I said that she should just stop doing that, that under no circumstances would I do something like that. After a few weeks I suddenly receive an email with an invitation to the casting. I then asked her and she actually registered me there without my knowledge. Out of interest, I went to the casting anyway, was accepted there, and kept moving forward. I started to really enjoy it and that's why I fought hard here too.

 

 

How did you get involved with Phantom Athletics , specifically the Phantom Training Mask?

Abu Iliad: I had been in contact for a long time because Phantom Athletics sponsored me. When the idea of ​​the Phantom training mask came up, I was asked if I would like to be part of the team of athletes who are actively involved in the development.

I'm very proud of that. I thought the whole thing was a great idea right from the start, as it made the possibility of training the respiratory muscles to increase athletic performance practical and easy to use for everyone. Breathing is the be-all and end-all in every sport. Be it e.g. B. in boxing or barbell squats. If you don't breathe properly, your muscles become acidic in a matter of seconds, then Sense is performing. And I couldn't have dreamed before that something like this could be trained specifically with a tool.

What was it like for you when you held “your” finished Phantom training mask in your hand for the first time?

Abu Iliad: Just crazy!! I didn't wait long either. I was very active in CrossFit at the time, so I got into my box and started training straight away.

How do you remember your first training session?

Abu Iliad: Very intensive. At first I was a bit perplexed; the feeling of doing sports with the Phantom training mask on my face was still unusual. But that quickly faded away until I almost forgot about her.

How did you go about increasing the intensity further?

Abu Iliad: I approached it little by little. I started with 1 and then played around with the controller a bit. So from week to week I move up step by step.

How many times a week do you use them and for what type of sport?

Abu Iliad: As a rule, I train with it three times a week at the moment. At the moment I'm only doing strength training due to the off-season, but of course I'm also doing cardio, CrossFit or whatever.

 

 

Is it also used in coaching?

Abu Iliad: Of course, I also use them here to make the training or coaching process even more effective and I also advise every athlete who wants to achieve something to do so.

How has it changed your personal training, what improvements have you achieved?

Abu Iliad: My performance has increased enormously. I can do more conversions and do more repetitions. This is an enormous advantage, especially in Men's Physique. Every single rep that you have done up to that point counts on stage on day X and gives you that decisive advantage over your competitors.

I can also cope with higher intensities, regenerate much better and the fat burning runs as if by itself. Rocketlike.

Precisely because I experienced these results on myself, I can wholeheartedly stand behind the Phantom training mask.

There was such a key experience for me. At that time I was still doing CrossFit. The workout that always gave me the most respect was “Murph” (1 mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, 1 mile run). After 6 weeks of training four to five times a week with Phantom training mask, I tried “Murph” (without a mask) again. I completed this workout in a sensational time, much faster than ever before and wasn't completely destroyed afterwards, as was always the case.

What is your “most intense” experience with the Phantom training mask?

Abu Iliad: In the third training session that I did with the Phantom training mask, I thought to myself, perhaps with a hint of overconfidence, that I could just as easily train on 3 instead of 1. A lengthy functional fitness circuit with many different exercises was on the agenda, in which the repetitions per round were reduced by 10. Starting at 50, with the goal of completing the circuit as quickly as possible, I simply gave it full throttle and then realized quite quickly, “Now I’m running out of breath.”

On the other hand, I didn't want to reduce the intensity or slow it down at any cost. I thought to myself: “Abu, that’s it!” But the feeling afterwards of having done it anyway was indescribable, just awesome. And it showed that something like this is still possible, even if every voice in your head screams “No”.

Do you also notice mental improvements, increased focus?

Abu Iliad: Naturally. This is another brilliant effect that I really appreciate. You develop enormous psychological stamina to always give a little more, to push yourself even harder. At first it takes some effort, but you get used to it. You just have to dare and be open to new things. Yes, and then it's off. Rocket fashion!!!

This extremely increased focus on breathing brings you into a state of 100% concentration. Nothing outside matters to you anymore. You just constantly pursue your goal.

With all the adrenaline flooding your body, you develop tunnel vision, like a “flow.” That’s really good, that’s how you know you’re really “in it”.

You also gain complete control over what your focus is on. For example, if after 25 minutes of cardio you realize: “I can’t do it anymore,” you will still do your 60 minutes because the whole thing is just happening subconsciously and you have learned to direct your active attention to something else, not the other way around.

 

 

The Phantom training mask is for me...?

Abu Iliad: ...the best training device available on the market. Worldwide. Point.

What advice would you give to someone who is completely unconvinced about the Phantom training mask?

Abu Iliad: In a society that doesn't know what it's talking about, there aren't enough arguments to dispel all the paradigms and prejudices. This lack of openness also reflects demotivation and boredom when it comes to dealing with something new.

“No one needs something like that”; “I am a physiotherapist. I have enough training to know what I'm talking about." Because people are afraid of change, they deny the legitimacy of the unknown to exist. But it has always been that way. If the doctors back then had known what they were talking about and had been right, there was no way I would have been able to play sports again, especially at any level. And now look at me. I still managed it. I have also come to the conclusion: “If you want, you can, and if you don’t, you will always stay where you are.”

Because of my experience, I protect my visions. Mind you, visions, not dreams. I'm not a dreamer. I used to talk a lot, now I just do it and then surprise everyone.

Do you already have your next goals in mind?

Abu Iliad: It goes on and on. I always try to optimize my training, and of course I try to work intensively with the Phantom training mask. Maybe there will be further developments in the near future that I can be involved in. I think that would be great. One can be more excited, the people at Phantom Athletics have not yet exhausted all of their potential, on the contrary, they are just getting started.

And that's exactly how it is with me. There will be a lot of surprises in the near future. Again there will be people who say, I can never do it. And then... I just do it. Rocket mode-like. This will be a time that I'm really looking forward to.

 

 

If you, like Abu, want to improve your physical and mental abilities to push your body to peak athletic performance, you should take a look at our Phantom training mask!

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