Meet Egypt’s ‘Iron Lady’ who’s breaking stereotypes

She goes to a mixed gym, trains twice as hard as the men there and is breaking stereotypes associated with female Muslims living in a Muslim country.

Egypt's "Iron Lady" Kholoud Essam is the country's first female Muslim body builder. According to usa.chinadaily, the 27-year-old pursued her passion in bodybuilding despite opposition from friends and family members.

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PHOTO: USA.CHINADAILY

PHOTO: USA.CHINADAILY

What started out as basic bodybuilding for self-defense and a way to stay slim, quickly grew into something bigger. Within two years Kholoud became a fitness coach and gained popularity among bodybuilding circles.

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PHOTO: USA.CHINADAILY

PHOTO: USA.CHINADAILY

She was soon invited to participate in a bikini weight-lifting championship but was not eligible to participate after she refused to take off her clothes for the competition.

PHOTO: USA.CHINADAILY

In the future, Kholod hopes to participate in an international bodybuilding competition.