Felix Shikoli Mate’s story in the UAE began in 2017 with a shock of intense heat and a grueling night shift as a parking lot security guard. Having sold everything he owned in Kenya to afford the journey, the single father was driven by a singular goal: to build a better life for his two daughters. Even during his leanest years, he leaned into his athletic background, cycling through the neighborhood and eventually connecting with a local cycling club that provided him with a supportive community. His path was far from smooth, including a stressful brush with the law over visa complications, but his unwavering work ethic and passion for fitness—specifically Ninja Warrior-style training—eventually carved a new path forward for his family.

Today, Felix’s perseverance has paid off, as he now runs his own successful enterprise, UAE Ninja Warrior, which employs ten people and has become a staple for fitness enthusiasts across Dubai. Bringing his daughters to live with him was his greatest victory, leading to years of sacrifice where the trio studied on borrowed books and recycled plastic to make ends meet. Now, his girls are thriving students and budding athletes, representing the reward for their father’s tireless hustle. Felix, who still balances long hours of training with the demands of fatherhood, remains deeply grateful for the opportunities in the UAE, noting that his ultimate dream is to break the cycle of poverty and ensure his children have the bright, secure future he once only imagined.