From Physio to Sales, Marketing, and PR: What I Learned

When I was 16, my father asked me a pivotal question while I was helping my mother in her office: “You’ve done well in school. Do you want to study medicine?”

I said no.

He then asked if I liked biology. I said yes, and he suggested exploring allied health professions. He explained the options: laboratory work—too repetitive; nursing—I lacked the patience; X-rays—too dull; medical records—absolutely not. Then he said, “What about physiotherapy? It’s all about muscles.”

That was it—I was hooked. I loved sports and the idea of working with muscles fascinated me. That was the beginning of my journey into physiotherapy.

I started working at a rehabilitation center in Kuwait, then moved to England to further my experience. By 1992, I was in Bahrain, working as a physiotherapist. While I did well in the profession, I began to feel frustrated. Something was missing. I realized I wanted more.

I decided to branch out, studying sales, marketing, and public relations, and earning a diploma. Armed with new skills, I joined the Sheraton Hotel in a marketing role, but after four months, an opportunity arose. Managers from Merck Sharpe & Dohme Pharmaceuticals approached me, and I transitioned into medical sales. This role perfectly combined my medical knowledge with my new sales expertise.

I worked my way up over three years, eventually becoming a manager.

The Lesson

Don’t limit yourself. Explore every opportunity that excites you. It’s okay to pivot, to learn something new, or to venture into uncharted territory. Growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. Keep widening your horizons—you never know where the journey might lead.