Fahad & Family-F&F

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Faaris came last in the swimming competition but that’s not the headline.

He came last among those who actually fully completed the full 25m race but even that’s not the headline.

We decided to expose both Faaris and Raamis to their first ever swimming competition when Seven Skies International School informed us about the Supersharkz Swim School Novice Competition at the National Aquatic Centre KL. Schools from all over KL were participating even proper swimming academies.

My boys? They only started swimming last year with a coach who trains them in our condo pool. Competition was never in the plan. It was always technique correction, water confidence, and managing a 4-meter-deep pool.

Last month, we confirmed their registration. And then the father inside me switched on competition mindset, pep talks, intensity… the whole sportsman-trainer combination.

Tough for the kids. Tough for the mom too.

Trials day:
Faaris got DQ’d twice.
Gave up.
Shouted he didn’t want to compete.
Said he can’t do backstroke.

And the father?
Can’t take “no” for an answer so I still registered him.

Next practice, he broke down again. Tears, fear, frustration.

“I don’t want any competition. I cannot do backstroke.”

I hugged him and stopped his practice. Inside, I was upset because I wanted him to try.

Me and Mahrukh Fatima ? Opposite philosophies.

Me pushing.
Her comforting.
Balanced, but conflicting.

Competition day.

Woke up at 4 a.m.
Reached the Aquatic Centre at 6.
Warm-up at 6.30 in cold water.
Race at 7.35 a.m.
Out of 50 kids overall, only 3 in Faaris’s HEAT.

The whistle goes. The other swimmers shot ahead immediately.

Faaris started okay but then the struggle kicked in with the slow arms, the fear of DQ, the doubt. He could have stopped any second.

But he didn’t.

He kept going.
Slow. Heavy. But going.
Like a small, stubborn sloth fighting the water.

The other kids finished 12 seconds earlier.
And then he finally touched the wall. He completed the race.

Still not the headline.

We congratulated them.
Celebrated big.
Breakfast treat.
Then took them to watch Zootopia 2.
And while we were heading for lunch afterwards… that’s when I asked him.

“What made you say you can’t do backstroke earlier when you actually did it today, in front of everyone?”

Silence.....

“Did you lie to me… or to yourself back then?”

A quiet answer but reflective came:
“Myself.”

“What should you be saying to yourself instead going forward?”

‘Can.’ (and I heard "boleh" in my head , the classic Malaysian way)

That’s the headline.

The video is of my son drawing customer's attention and here it is why :

Today was Faaris Fahad and Fahad's Entrepreneurship Day at school, and we decided to have them sell Popsies, sourced from my friend. What was meant to be a fun and experimental day for the boys turned into a profound moment of reflection for me.

We grew up in Pakistan in an environment where selling was never encouraged—neither by our families, friends, nor even our schools. As a result, many of us grew up shy, hesitant, and uncomfortable with the idea of putting ourselves out there (one of the reasons Pakistan lacks with entrepreneurs nowadays and more job oriented people only).

Watching my elder son, Faaris Fahad , initially struggle—reluctant to sell, hesitant to ask for money, unsure how to engage—was a stark reminder of this. He only gained confidence once he saw others doing it, and his Eureka moment came when he made his first sale. The excitement, energy, and pride that followed were incredible to witness.

On the other hand, my younger one, Raamis Fahad jumped into selling without hesitation. Not only was he eager from the start, but he also found a creative approach—rather than just selling to those already at the event, he took Popsies to nearby restaurants. He kept running back, excitedly saying, “Baba, give me one more, I sold one!” It made me realize something profound: while some kids have a natural talent for selling, it is also a skill that can be learned. Given the right environment, anyone can become good at it, and it can be one of the most thrilling and rewarding experiences.

Selling is more than just making money—it’s about confidence, resilience, communication, handling rejection, and never giving up. Watching my boys make their first sales at just 6 and 7—when I didn’t experience it until my late 20s—made me reflect on how different environments shape confidence and success.

This experience reinforced the importance of introducing entrepreneurship and selling early in life. If we create the right culture, we can raise a generation that is fearless, confident, and ready to take on challenges. Super proud of my boys for taking their first steps on this journey!

A big shout out to Greenview Islamic School Bukit Jelutong for the opportunity and arrangements.

Raamis Fahad Graduation from Preparatory to Year 1 ❤️