World Champion Feras Al Jouhari on Jiujitsu, Fitness, and the Mindset of a Champion

By Tasneem F. Nawab,

Feras Al Jouhari, a world champion in jiujitsu, sat down for an exclusive interview with Who’s That to share his insights on fitness, martial arts, and the mental discipline required to excel. From debunking myths about jiujitsu to revealing his no-nonsense approach to training, Al Jouhari’s philosophy is both refreshing and brutally honest.

Breaking the Rules: Eat Well, Train Hard

When asked about one fitness rule he loves breaking, Al Jouhari didn’t hesitate: “Diet. Eat everything, workout well.” He believes rigid diet plans are overrated, emphasizing that “every body is so unique that creating a diet and sticking to it is not effective.” Instead, he advocates for balance—fuelling the body while maintaining consistent training.

Jiujitsu Misconceptions: It’s Not as Hard as You Think

Many beginners shy away from jiujitsu, assuming it’s too difficult. Al Jouhari disagrees: “People are afraid before starting, thinking it is difficult when it is actually the coaches that make it seem difficult.” He stresses that a coach’s first job is to build confidence rather than overwhelm students with technicalities. “Patience with beginners is vital.”

The Best Exercise for Mobility? The Forward Roll

For mobility, Al Jouhari swears by one fundamental movement: the forward roll. “It uses your entire body, muscles, and joints. It works best in real life too—in case you fall on your face!”, he added jokingly. This simple yet highly functional exercise enhances coordination and prepares the body for real-world scenarios.

The Non-Negotiable Habit: Run Every Day

His one unbreakable fitness habit? Running for 30 minutes daily. “It’s less about the workout and more about the habit. Don’t break the habit,” he warns. “The body always wants more of what it gets, and that also includes laziness.” Consistency, he believes, is the key to long-term success.

3 Exercises for Life (Plus a Bonus for Mental Toughness)

If forced to pick only three exercises forever, Al Jouhari chooses:

• Push-ups
• Squats
• Sit-ups

And with a laugh, he adds: “Also burpees—for the mental torture!”

The Biggest Mistake Holding People Back

What stops people from levelling up in fitness or martial arts? Injury from poor technique. “Getting the technique wrong, either yourself or through a bad trainer, and then getting injured because of that,” he explains. Proper guidance is crucial to avoid setbacks.

The Trait That Makes or Breaks Champions: Discipline

When it comes to mental traits, Al Jouhari is unwavering: “Discipline. You stop training once, you stop training forever. There is no in-between.” Champions aren’t made from occasional effort—they’re built on relentless consistency when nobody is watching.

Overrated and Underrated in Fitness

Finally, he calls out two extremes in the fitness world:

• Overrated: “Doing a 2-month course and becoming a trainer. Everyone is becoming a trainer these days.”
• Underrated: “The basics. Basics are best.”

In a world obsessed with quick fixes and flashy trends, Feras Al Jouhari’s approach is a powerful reminder: Master the fundamentals, stay disciplined, and never let laziness win.