Anchors

Environments & Anchors

I’ve been away from the UAE—and more specifically, InnerFight—for just over four weeks now. I’ve spoken to quite a few people about it, but I wanted to write this down, because there’s valuable learning here.

Why environments matter

I’m not talking about climate change or deforestation. I’m talking about our environments—our personal bubbles. Some smart people have said that if you take care of your immediate environment, the rest will take care of itself. That’s where it starts: with the people you surround yourself with, the places you show up to, and the mindset you bring.

Step one is deciding what matters to you. What are your values? Be selfish about this—it’s the one area where you should be. Once you know them, you seek out (or create) environments that align with those values.

Moving back to the UK, I made a conscious decision not to become a drag on progress. I didn’t want to default to the discontent I was hearing. Yes, some things here can be frustrating. But we live in a wealthy country with infrastructure, opportunity, and freedom. So I thought: I’m not going to be part of the problem. I’m going to be someone who sees it and works on a solution. That mindset shift is powerful.

We don’t start out negative or pessimistic. Our environments shape us. That means we need to protect and design them with intent. Be clear on your values. Live them. And remember: you don’t need to be angry.

Cut the anchors

A lot of what makes Dubai—and InnerFight—so special is that it's an expat community. But there’s something deeper we can learn from that.

People move to Dubai with intention. But even before intention comes action—they moved. They left their country, their comfort, their anchors. Whether consciously or not, they’ve chosen to change their environment.

Let’s take someone who enjoys running. They land in Dubai, and without their old routines or social circles to dilute things, they lean in. They seek out others who also love running. That interest becomes more central, more defining. And because they’ve arrived without old attachments, friendships are built out of shared values—not circumstance.

There’s a lesson here that applies beyond expat life.

You don’t need to move country to reset your environment. You just need to choose. Choose what you value. Choose where you spend your energy. Choose who you let in.

If your current environment—or certain people in it—no longer align with who you are or where you’re heading, it’s okay to let go. In fact, it’s necessary. Holding on to relationships that no longer serve you only delays your own growth—and theirs.

We often think of “expatriate” as a label for someone who’s left their home country. But maybe it should mean something more:

Open.

Open to meet. Open to experience. Open to change.

You don’t need to live abroad to live like that.

You just need to cut the anchors.

You don’t know how good you’ve got it

Which brings me back to InnerFight. What Marcus and the team have built is remarkable. These past four weeks have reminded me just how rare that is. Yes, there are great communities in the UK doing fantastic things—but the contrast was eye-opening.

At InnerFight, across every area—endurance, juniors, group training, Smith St Café—there’s alignment. The values aren’t just printed on the walls; they’re lived out, daily. You expect quality, and you get it. That creates trust. If I show up to a mainline class, I know the standard will be high. If I turn up to Coffee Run on a Friday, I know I’ll be met with purpose and positivity—not just a vague jog around the block.

Even on a bad day, your reason for showing up might change—but you’ll still have one. And the people around you will help carry the weight if you need it. That’s community...

It’s a powerful thought.

Because truthfully?

This is one of the easiest environments in the world to train in.

(Well…except for the heat.)