Save up for the lean times
Rafat Shawe is a Dubai- based professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, international karate champion, personal trainer and nutritionist. He has fought professionally in the MMA for the past six years. From Baghdad, the 40-year-old moved to the UAE 17 years ago and now lives on Palm Jumeirah with his wife.
q How did your upbringing shape your attitude towards money?
a I come from a big family and my parents always taught me the importance of being independent by working hard and looking after myself and my family. For me being able to provide and care for my family is of the greatest importance.
How much did you get paid for your first job?
I have been a professional athlete for most of my life. When I was 12, karate was my hobby as I was a big fan of the JeanClaude Van Damme and Bruce Lee movies, and I haven’t really looked back. In time I got my black belt and on the basis of my achievements was invited to join the Iraqi national team, and it culminated in me winning a gold medal at the International Karate Championship in Jordan in the mid-’90s. As such, my first paid job was working in a fitness club – I got paid around US$800 a month.
Are you a spender or saver?
I’m a spender. As I earn, I spend. The nature of my work – mixing up professional MMA fights with my personal training and nutrition consultancy – means I get paid in bursts and it’s very variable. There are months when I earn a lot and those where I earn very little, especially in the summer when many clients are travelling.
What is your most cherished purchase?
Buying my first car. I saved and saved. I’m racking my brain as I can’t remember what it was – maybe a Toyota, and it cost me about $5,000. Buying my wife’s engagement ring was very special too and it meant a lot to her – happy wife, happy life.
Have you ever had a month where you feared you could not pay the bills?
Yes. It’s hard to make a lot of money in fitness, even as a professional athlete. One big issue is funding and the little support it gets. When I started, even the national team received very little support, which can make it hard to pursue a fighting career as it’s difficult to balance the training commitments with a full-time job.
Do you prefer paying by credit card or in cash?
In cash, as a lot of my clients pay me in cash. But while I always have cash on me, I also fritter it away on things without realising.
What has been your best investment?
I am a professional athlete – it will always be on my health and body. I spend a lot on food, including my weekly shopping at Waitrose and vegetable box delivery from Greenheart Organic Farms, and don’t start me on how much I spend on vitamins and supplements. Recently I signed up to Privilee, the leisure pass that allows you to use all the beach clubs and gyms at five-star hotels around Dubai. I hop around all the gyms to try different facilities, well worth the Dh500 a month, as I’d pay far more in a gym membership.
What do you most regret spending money on and how much was it?
A leather jacket I saved up for in my early days in Dubai. It was neither a good look or practical, as most of the year was too hot. I probably wore it twice and I ended up donating it to the mosque.
What financial advice would you offer your younger self?
Always have money put away for the lean times. It’s really important to have an emergency fund if you choose a career such as sport.
Do you have a plan for the future?
My wife and I want to have a family as soon as possible, so this is where my current focus is along with buying a home. We both own our own businesses, so this means we have to plan extra carefully as we have to cover costs of everything, be it health care or schools.