Let's Dive in...
0:06
Today is going to mark a shift in the podcast and how I record them. We've been going now for eight years. We started in November 2017, and we’ve run over 450 episodes. Most of them have been a combination of team conversations, Hall of Fame episodes, or bringing on guests.
0:28
This year is probably the least amount of guests I've brought onto the show, and the most dominant format has been the Hall of Fame episodes or team discussions. And in the last couple of months, I’ve been thinking more about the direction I want the podcast to take.
0:45
The answer came to me a couple of weeks ago when I was at a business event. Over dinner, I was speaking with someone—now a good friend—about his podcast. I asked what’s been working for him and what’s helped him keep it fun, exciting, and sustainable—something he can consistently put out no matter what.
1:06
His answer was eye-opening. He told me the best thing he’d done was stripping it back. Shorter episodes—15 to 20 minutes, sometimes even 5 or 10. He keeps a couple of questions in mind each week, picks one, and answers it off the cuff. Maybe a few bullet points, but mostly natural flow and perspective.
1:36
These questions could come from clients, team calls, or even things he’s thinking about personally. And I thought that was interesting. For a long time, the pressure of having to do a full hour episode, find guests, or create a long team discussion was becoming more of a chore than something exciting—always a sign something needs to shift.
2:02
When I heard that idea, I thought: this is perfect. More sustainable, more enjoyable, and something I can riff on naturally. So today is the first day we’re doing this. Each episode I’ll pick one question—something I hear often from members, potential members, or even friends and family—and I’ll share my thoughts and a framework around it.
2:29 — Why I Moved to Dubai
One of the most common questions I’ve been getting recently, personally and professionally, is: Why did I move to Dubai? What prompted the move, and what’s it been like so far?
So let’s start with that.
2:52
For context: for the last 10 years I’ve always wanted to live abroad. Ever since university, I had this itch to spend time living somewhere else. I never fulfilled that while working as a personal trainer on the gym floor, but when we started RNT Fitness and my work became remote, I embraced the digital-nomad life.
3:26
I traveled: a month here, a month there—Thailand, Mexico, South Africa. At the end of 2023, Chandni and I had the idea to spend longer away. She had backpacked for months before; I’d only ever done a month at a time. Even with a 7-month-old baby, we thought: why not go for three months?
4:05
So at the start of 2024, we spent three months abroad: a couple of weeks in Dubai, a week in Mumbai, a week in Singapore, 4–5 weeks in Thailand, and then five more weeks in Dubai. In total, seven weeks in Dubai.
4:18
One of the reasons we stayed so long in Dubai was because we were considering it as a future home. We’d been going once or twice a year since 2022, loved the lifestyle, the weather, the general vibe—so 2024 was our litmus test.
4:40
We almost signed papers to move. We came back, spoke to relocation agents, and got close to committing. But at the last minute, I told Chandni, “I don’t think this is the right move just yet.” She was open either way, so we pulled the plug. I think coming off three months away and returning just as London summer arrived made us fall back in love with London again.
5:18
Ealing, where we lived, holds a special place for us—amazing during the summer. So that kept us in the UK longer. But around November, a few things happened quickly that made us think: it’s time to leave.
0:06
Today is going to mark a shift in the podcast and how I record them. We've been going now for eight years. We started in November 2017, and we’ve run over 450 episodes. Most of them have been a combination of team conversations, Hall of Fame episodes, or bringing on guests.
0:28
This year is probably the least amount of guests I've brought onto the show, and the most dominant format has been the Hall of Fame episodes or team discussions. And in the last couple of months, I’ve been thinking more about the direction I want the podcast to take.
0:45
The answer came to me a couple of weeks ago when I was at a business event. Over dinner, I was speaking with someone—now a good friend—about his podcast. I asked what’s been working for him and what’s helped him keep it fun, exciting, and sustainable—something he can consistently put out no matter what.
1:06
His answer was eye-opening. He told me the best thing he’d done was stripping it back. Shorter episodes—15 to 20 minutes, sometimes even 5 or 10. He keeps a couple of questions in mind each week, picks one, and answers it off the cuff. Maybe a few bullet points, but mostly natural flow and perspective.
1:36
These questions could come from clients, team calls, or even things he’s thinking about personally. And I thought that was interesting. For a long time, the pressure of having to do a full hour episode, find guests, or create a long team discussion was becoming more of a chore than something exciting—always a sign something needs to shift.
2:02
When I heard that idea, I thought: this is perfect. More sustainable, more enjoyable, and something I can riff on naturally. So today is the first day we’re doing this. Each episode I’ll pick one question—something I hear often from members, potential members, or even friends and family—and I’ll share my thoughts and a framework around it.
2:29 — Why I Moved to Dubai
One of the most common questions I’ve been getting recently, personally and professionally, is: Why did I move to Dubai? What prompted the move, and what’s it been like so far?
So let’s start with that.
2:52
For context: for the last 10 years I’ve always wanted to live abroad. Ever since university, I had this itch to spend time living somewhere else. I never fulfilled that while working as a personal trainer on the gym floor, but when we started RNT Fitness and my work became remote, I embraced the digital-nomad life.
3:26
I traveled: a month here, a month there—Thailand, Mexico, South Africa. At the end of 2023, Chandni and I had the idea to spend longer away. She had backpacked for months before; I’d only ever done a month at a time. Even with a 7-month-old baby, we thought: why not go for three months?
4:05
So at the start of 2024, we spent three months abroad: a couple of weeks in Dubai, a week in Mumbai, a week in Singapore, 4–5 weeks in Thailand, and then five more weeks in Dubai. In total, seven weeks in Dubai.
4:18
One of the reasons we stayed so long in Dubai was because we were considering it as a future home. We’d been going once or twice a year since 2022, loved the lifestyle, the weather, the general vibe—so 2024 was our litmus test.
4:40
We almost signed papers to move. We came back, spoke to relocation agents, and got close to committing. But at the last minute, I told Chandni, “I don’t think this is the right move just yet.” She was open either way, so we pulled the plug. I think coming off three months away and returning just as London summer arrived made us fall back in love with London again.
5:18
Ealing, where we lived, holds a special place for us—amazing during the summer. So that kept us in the UK longer. But around November, a few things happened quickly that made us think: it’s time to leave.
Key reasons we left the UK
5:40 — 1. The UK Budget
Not the most recent one, but the one before that. Without going too deep into details: from a tax and business-growth perspective, the UK was becoming more disadvantageous. Less incentive to grow, harder to build. For entrepreneurs, it wasn’t looking promising, especially under the current government.
5:40 — 1. The UK Budget
Not the most recent one, but the one before that. Without going too deep into details: from a tax and business-growth perspective, the UK was becoming more disadvantageous. Less incentive to grow, harder to build. For entrepreneurs, it wasn’t looking promising, especially under the current government.
6:40 — 2. The Winter
It was the first winter I spent fully in the UK in a long time. Usually we travel during the dark, cold months. That winter made us rethink staying.
It was the first winter I spent fully in the UK in a long time. Usually we travel during the dark, cold months. That winter made us rethink staying.
6:57 — 3. Outgrowing Our Flat
We lived in a lovely two-bed flat in Ealing. Perfect for us as a couple, still fine with one child, but when Sia got older and then Mahi arrived, plus me working from home, we felt the squeeze. Scheduling podcasts became a logistical nightmare.
We lived in a lovely two-bed flat in Ealing. Perfect for us as a couple, still fine with one child, but when Sia got older and then Mahi arrived, plus me working from home, we felt the squeeze. Scheduling podcasts became a logistical nightmare.
We started looking for houses but didn’t want to commit to huge London prices. Once you buy in London, you lose flexibility. It felt like the right moment to explore something new.
Why Dubai?
8:05
Ten years ago I thought I’d move to the US—New York or LA. I love visiting, but I can’t see myself living there long term. So the US was off the table.
Dubai became the clear winner:
– Similar culture to London
– Better weather
– Better lifestyle
– Huge expat community
– Exciting opportunities
– Close enough to family
– Similar culture to London
– Better weather
– Better lifestyle
– Huge expat community
– Exciting opportunities
– Close enough to family
We’d also visited Singapore and loved it, but it felt far. So Dubai won.
We made the decision around March/April. Chandni was pregnant, so we set the timeline: move when Mahi turned three months. If she wasn’t pregnant, we’d have moved earlier—but we wanted to have the baby in the UK for family support, which was absolutely the right call.
9:42 — What It’s Been Like
The second question I get all the time: How is Dubai? Are we glad we moved?
The second question I get all the time: How is Dubai? Are we glad we moved?
Headline: 100% yes.
It feels like the right move. My gut says this is going to be an amazing opportunity for us as a family and for the business.
It feels like the right move. My gut says this is going to be an amazing opportunity for us as a family and for the business.
What's been amazing so far
10:08 — 1. My Energy Is the Highest It’s Been in Years
Nothing else has changed except the environment. Being here makes me want to do more, meet more people (which is unusual for me as an introvert), and be outside. The motivation is off the charts.
Dubai is filled with people who moved here intentionally. That creates energy and momentum. Environment dictates performance—and I feel that deeply already.
11:52 — 2. A New Business Opportunity
It feels like when I first built pockets of RNT in London. Dubai feels like a brand-new market with massive potential. Once we settle into our permanent place, I’m excited to start really planting our flag here.
It feels like when I first built pockets of RNT in London. Dubai feels like a brand-new market with massive potential. Once we settle into our permanent place, I’m excited to start really planting our flag here.
12:28 — 3. The Forward-Thinking Environment
Dubai is innovative, disruptive, fast-moving. The government operates efficiently. Leaders want things to happen. If there’s a problem or objection people have about living here, they act on it.
Dubai is innovative, disruptive, fast-moving. The government operates efficiently. Leaders want things to happen. If there’s a problem or objection people have about living here, they act on it.
They’re building a new airport, a new huge mall—massive projects. Meanwhile, the UK has spent 10+ years trying to sort out a single railway.
14:24 — 4. Safety
This was huge for us, especially with two young girls.
This was huge for us, especially with two young girls.
Growing up in London, you learn street smarts. You avoid certain areas. But in the last decade, crime has spread everywhere. We had two fatal stabbings within a five-minute walk from us shortly before leaving. Wearing a nice watch in London? Forget it.
In Dubai, safety levels are unreal. I walk freely. I brought out a watch I bought in 2018—haven’t worn it in London for years. Here, I don’t think twice.
18:23 — 5. Lifestyle
Dubai is built for convenience. Everything is efficient. Petrol stations pump for you. Deliveries are fast. The gyms are world-class. The weather—especially now—is stunning. 25–32°C every day.
Dubai is built for convenience. Everything is efficient. Petrol stations pump for you. Deliveries are fast. The gyms are world-class. The weather—especially now—is stunning. 25–32°C every day.
19:38 — 6. Great for Families
Schools are incredible. The facilities look like university campuses. Lots of families, lots of support systems, great community feel.
Schools are incredible. The facilities look like university campuses. Lots of families, lots of support systems, great community feel.
20:12 — 7. No Tall-Poppy Syndrome
In the UK, if you start doing well, people quietly wait for you to fail. Here, people want you to win. They cheer for you. That matters when growing a business.
In the UK, if you start doing well, people quietly wait for you to fail. Here, people want you to win. They cheer for you. That matters when growing a business.
Downsides?
21:05
Not much yet. But a few considerations:
– If you’re self-employed, there are hidden costs when relocating.
– Changing your driving licence alone involved ~£680 total between tests and fees.
– Upfront costs add up quickly.
21:05
Not much yet. But a few considerations:
– If you’re self-employed, there are hidden costs when relocating.
– Changing your driving licence alone involved ~£680 total between tests and fees.
– Upfront costs add up quickly.
But day-to-day living feels similar or slightly cheaper than London.
22:04 — Final Thoughts
Overall, we’re excited for this new chapter. Dubai feels like home already. If you enjoyed this episode and like this new style, message me on Instagram or email. Send over any questions or topics you want me to cover.
Overall, we’re excited for this new chapter. Dubai feels like home already. If you enjoyed this episode and like this new style, message me on Instagram or email. Send over any questions or topics you want me to cover.
22:32 — Closing
If you’re a high-performing professional who’s been struggling with consistency, all-or-nothing cycles, or yo-yo dieting, this is your moment to break out of it.
If you’re a high-performing professional who’s been struggling with consistency, all-or-nothing cycles, or yo-yo dieting, this is your moment to break out of it.
At RNT Fitness, we specialize in helping busy people get into the best shape of their lives and stay there—without extremes. Our proven five-phase transformation system adapts to your lifestyle and removes all guesswork.
Next Steps
If you’re thinking about making a change in your own life — whether that’s physically, mentally, or with your habits — here’s where you can start:
-
Book a 1-1 strategy session with my team to find out more:
https://www.rntfitness.com/applynow
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Find out if you’re ready for a transformation:
https://www.rntfitness.com/transform
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