Salma Mahmoud El Said Mohamed is an Egyptian female artistic gymnast and part of the national team. She participated at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom, and the 2009 and 2011 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. She is a Gymnastics coach in uptown Cairo Egypt. She is a Master’s degree holder and FIG Judge. She has also been an Ex-Egyptian Gymnastics National Team Coach. She has been a two-time African Female Artistic Gymnastic Champion.
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Salma El Saied, an exceptionally talented Egyptian artistic gymnast, and an Egyptian Gymnastics National Team Coach. She talks about her fitness routine, diet, and success story.
Namita Nayyar:
Where were you born, and where did you receive your early education? When did you start training for gymnastics? You participated at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom. This later propelled your career to the height where you became the elite female gymnast from Egypt. Tell us more about your professional journey of exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance.
Salma El Saied:
I was born in Giza and started gymnastics when I was 3 years old. My journey in gymnastics was very challenging, even as a child. I trained 6 days a week for four hours or more each day. I joined the Egyptian national gymnastics team when I was 11. I participated in many competitions, and my first international competition was in Jordan in 2004. I continued competing and eventually became a two-time African champion back-to-back. I qualified for the 2012 London Olympics after the World Championships in Japan in 2011. I spent six months in the U.S. at a training camp to prepare for the Olympics, where I trained 10 times a week. It was incredibly difficult during the first two weeks, but I gradually adapted. I was very excited to become an Olympian, which was a dream come true, and I performed well in the competition.
Namita Nayyar:
It is a dream for a gymnast to play in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. You participated in the 2009 and 2011 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. Tell us more about this spectacular achievement of yours.
Salma El Saied:
In gymnastics, every athlete’s dream is to qualify for the Olympics. World Championships are a crucial step towards Olympic qualification. I participated in two World Championships; the first one was in 2009, but it wasn’t my best performance. I believe I could have done better, but I consider it a lesson that helped me prepare for future competitions. All athletes experience ups and downs in their careers. After that championship, I improved significantly, and in 2010 and 2011, I won the African Championships, which qualified me for the Olympics through the World Championships in 2011 held in Tokyo, Japan. It was a great competition where I performed at my best. From the entire African continent, only two girls qualify for the top two from the continent in the World Championships, with the condition that they are not from the same country. I was fortunate enough to achieve this and qualify for the Olympics. I wasn’t expecting that to happen but I did it so the hard work paid off finally.
Namita Nayyar:
What is your career as a gymnast acted as a catalyst in your meteoric rise as Egypt’s leading artistic gymnast player?
Salma El Saied:
My family has always been supportive and encouraging in everything. Every athlete needs healthy food, good sleep, transportation to daily training, and time for studying. Many coaches, both Egyptian and foreign, helped me improve my skills.
The Egyptian Gymnastics Federation at that time supported me by allowing me to participate in international competitions, where I interacted with. Competing in these events and achieving foreign athletes, learning from world champions, and experiencing different skill levels results gives us the motivation to strive for improvement and work harder to reach higher levels.
Namita Nayyar:
You are an Ex Egyptian Gymnastics National Team Coach and now pursuing a career as a Gymnastics coach. Tell us more about this endeavor of yours.
Salma El Saied:
Since I stopped competing in gymnastics, I have been a gymnastics coach from 2013 until now. I have been selected several times to coach the national team, and each time I achieved very good results, including in the African Championships, Mediterranean Games, and World Championships. One of my dreams was to lead an athlete to the Olympics and attend the Games as a coach. I contributed to preparing one of the best athletes on the Egyptian team, who has qualified and will participate in the Paris 2024 Olympics. I am very proud of her.
I have been recognized as one of the top coaches by important figures in sports. Currently, I work as a fitness coach at the best gym in Egypt, called LA7, and I also provide private gymnastics coaching.
Full Interview is Continued on the Next Page
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President of womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2025 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?
Salma El Saied:
I currently train 3 to 4 days a week at the gym, focusing on a pull day, a push day, and two lower-body days to maintain my physique. I lost a significant amount of weight after I stopped competing in gymnastics, but now, with training and proper nutrition, I have regained the weight I lost, and my body has become much more toned.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you train your abs? One secret to your toned body.
Salma El Saied:
I do three different types of ab exercises after each workout. I try to make them varied and challenging to ensure they have a good effect. One secret to my toned body is continuous training and a healthy eating plan. Everybody is different, so it’s essential to train with a knowledgeable coach and consult a specialized nutritionist.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you take a special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Salma El Saied:
To maintain a healthy diet, I need to eat five times a day: three main meals and two snacks. Each meal should include carbohydrates, protein, and fats, ideally comprising three parts carbohydrates, two parts protein, and one part fat.
While each meal requires these five components, the quantities can vary. We need carbohydrates for energy and blood sugar regulation, protein to build muscles, and fats for our hormones. Of course, the body also needs vitamins, minerals, and water.
Everyone can adjust their portions based on their goals; for example, those looking to lose weight can reduce their food intake without eliminating any of the three essential components. I try to follow this guideline as much as I can, keeping it manageable and not overcomplicating things for myself.
Namita Nayyar:
Five foods you love and food you keep to a minimum.
Salma El Saied:
Food I love
- Sushi and seafood
- Pasta
- Steak
- Fried chicken
- Molokhya and Mahshi from our traditional food
What I keep a minimum
Sweets and unhealthy snacks process food.
Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Share with us your hair care and skincare routine.
Salma El Saied:
I don’t have a skin routine just try to keep my skin dehydrated.
My hair is curly so I use curly hair products and all of them are local Egyptian brands of shampoo conditioner and I do styling my hair with leave-in.
Namita Nayyar:
You must have a Coach who has been a catalyst who helped you pave the way to rise in your career with discipline and a never-stopping attitude. Elaborate about his/her influence on your professional life.
Salma El Saied:
I don’t want to specify a coach by name because I don’t want to forget anyone. They all played a significant role in my life, both during training and outside of it. Of course, there were positives and negatives; not everything was perfect with the coaches. However, I’m certain that I learned something from each of them, whether they were Egyptian or foreign.
Namita Nayyar:
Five athletic leisure brands you love to wear.
Salma El Saied:
Nike
Under Armour
Adidas
Lululemon
An Egyptian local brand that I love is called BF I am already working as an athlete.
Namita Nayyar:
Five travel destinations on your wish list.
Salma El Saied:
Santorini, Greece
Switzerland
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Montenegro
Bolivia
Namita Nayyar:
Quote, you live by.
Salma El Saied:
The happiest you have ever been won’t be the happiest you’ve ever been.
Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about a day in the life of ‘Salma El Saied’.
Salma El Saied:
I’m not a morning person; I usually wake up at 9:30 or 10:00. I have breakfast at home, and then I go to the gym where I enjoy having coffee. After that, I work with my clients and then train for about an hour to an hour and a half. After lunch, I continue working. On some days, I have a gymnastics class for kids at 6:00, finishing at 7:00.
Then I walk to my private gymnastics session, which starts at 7:30 and ends around 10:00. I have dinner and then go to bed. My days in the middle of the week can be a bit exhausting, as I work about 12 hours, but I’ve gotten used to it. I’m someone who can’t sit still without being busy. I have one day off a week where I sleep a lot because I love sleeping, and sometimes I go out to try something new or meet my friends.
I am also studying for my PhD in gymnastics. I have completed two years of coursework and am currently working on my thesis. I plan to defend it in two years, so wish me luck!
Namita Nayyar:
During the Covid pandemic. Tell us more about your routine to remain fit in those challenging times.
Salma El Saied:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked with the Egyptian gymnastics national team, training the girls in online fitness and gymnastics skills they could do at home. For me, there weren’t many options available, but I’m not someone who eats a lot. I sometimes trained at home, and we organized gymnastics challenges while we were at home.
Namita Nayyar:
In sports like gymnastics, how were you able to overcome any physical or sports injury setbacks and what advice can you give to those in a similar situation?
Salma El Saied:
In gymnastics, injuries are quite common, but it’s the coaches’ responsibility to keep their athletes safe by training them correctly and preparing them for the specific demands of the sport. I have experienced several injuries myself, some due to a lack of focus during training and others due to excessive load in the exercises. There are many reasons for these injuries.
After each injury, it’s essential to take the necessary time to recover and properly rehabilitate the affected area so we can return to training at the same level. During this recovery period, athletes often experience a decline in motivation and require psychological support to get through this tough time, as their performance level can drop significantly due to reduced training.
Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and the message for its visitors?
Salma El Saied:
Never stop training, no matter the reason. Mental and physical health are the most important things for anyone, above all else, to be able to cope with life’s pressures.
Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding artistic gymnast girls, who all are your fans and would like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in the field of artistic gymnastics?
Salma El Saied:
To all the inspiring young gymnasts out there, remember that every champion was once a beginner. Your journey in artistic gymnastics will be filled with challenges, but each challenge is an opportunity for growth. Here are a few pieces of advice to help you on your path to success:
- Believe in Yourself: Confidence is key. Trust in your abilities and hard work. Surround yourself with positive influences that uplift you.
- Embrace Failure: Understand that setbacks are part of the journey. Every fall teaches you something valuable. Learn, adapt, and come back stronger.
- Stay Committed: Consistency is crucial. Show up to every practice, even when it’s tough. Your dedication will pay off in the long run.
- Set Goals: Break your ambitions into smaller, achievable goals. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small, to keep yourself motivated.
- Listen to Your Body: Rest and recovery are essential. Pay attention to your physical and mental well-being to avoid burnout and injuries.
- Support Each Other: Build a strong community with your teammates. Encourage and uplift one another; together, you can achieve great things.
- Enjoy the Process: Remember why you fell in love with gymnastics in the first place. Keep that passion alive and have fun along the way.
Keep climbing, stay focused, and never lose sight of your dreams. You have the potential to achieve incredible things in gymnastics!
Namita Nayyar:
A message for your ardent Instagram admirers.
Salma El Saied:
Hello, amazing supporters! Your enthusiasm and encouragement mean the world to me. Thank you for being such a vital part of my journey in gymnastics. Each like, comment, and message inspires me to push my limits and strive for excellence.
Remember, we all have our own paths and challenges, but with dedication and passion, anything is possible. Keep chasing your dreams and supporting one another. Together, we can create a community of positivity and strength.
I’m excited to share more of my journey with you all, and I appreciate every single one of you. Let’s continue to inspire each other.
Salma El Saied Social Media Presence
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salmaelsaied/
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President of womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2025 Women Fitness