Karima Basaili never set out to follow a traditional path in healthcare. Her journey began in business, navigating boardrooms, managing teams, and working in the fitness industry. But something deeper kept tugging at her: it wasn’t numbers or targets that moved her, it was people. The passionate gym-goers with no real guidance. The aspiring coaches left without direction. The everyday Moroccans quietly searching for wellness beyond prescriptions.
She saw the gap—and made it her mission to bridge it.
With a rare blend of heart and instinct, Karima co-founded FITacademy not to start just another venture, but to build what was missing. This wasn’t a business born out of opportunity—it was born from urgency. She had seen too many eager, talented individuals trying to make an impact without the tools, training, or recognition to do so.
Karima didn’t just pivot careers, she set out to redefine an entire field that had long been underestimated. Where others saw workouts, she saw a chance for healing, prevention, and progress. She imagined a space where movement became medicine, and where education could turn passion into purpose.
Her response wasn’t loud ambition, but quiet resolve and a plan that spoke for itself. Today, as Manager, she continues to lead that vision forward. Because for Karima, reshaping healthcare starts not in hospitals, but in communities—and in every person empowered to care through knowledge and movement.
Let’s delve into the interview details below!
Could you please share with us your journey and what inspired you to pursue a leadership role in the healthcare sector, particularly with FITacademy?
My professional path began in business and management, having earned a Master’s degree from the National School of Management and Trade. After working as a commercial manager in several sports clubs, I quickly realized the major gap in qualified fitness education in Morocco. There was passion! But not enough structure or standards.
In 2018, alongside my partner M.Jalal OUAYOUCH, we co-founded FITacademy with a clear mission: to elevate the standards of health and fitness education in Morocco by providing international certifications and professional development opportunities. Leading this initiative was not just a career move, it was a purpose-driven commitment to reshape the wellness landscape and empower the next generation of fitness professionals.
Can you tell us more about FITacademy’s mission and how it is transforming healthcare education and training in Morocco?
FITacademy is the first Moroccan center accredited by the European Register of Exercise Professionals (EREPS) and the only approved provider of NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certifications in the country.
We are also proud to be the first specialized fitness education center in Morocco offering advanced training programs in Personal Training and Corrective Exercise.
Our mission is clear: to bridge the gap between passion and professionalism in fitness and health education. We empower future fitness professionals through internationally recognized certifications, expert instruction, and a structured pathway to success in the global fitness industry.
To date, we have trained over 1,500 certified personal trainers who are now making a measurable impact across Morocco and beyond. We have also partnered with international and regional institutions such as PCA Belgium and BFIT CLUBS Morocco, to ensure our programs meet global standards while addressing local realities.
What are some of the key challenges you’ve faced in reshaping the healthcare industry, and how have you overcome them?
One of the main challenges has been shifting perceptions. For a long time, fitness was seen as informal or unregulated. We had to build trust and not just with aspiring coaches, but also with institutions, sports clubs, and even healthcare professionals.
We overcame this by prioritizing international accreditation, delivering excellence in every training cohort, and being visible advocates for a professional, structured fitness sector. We also invested in educational adaptation by providing materials in French, Arabic, and English to ensure accessibility and inclusion.
Most importantly, our programs are built on scientific foundations, combining evidence-based practices with globally recognized standards to ensure quality, safety, and effectiveness in every course we offer.
What are some of the most significant innovations or initiatives you have introduced at FITacademy that have made a substantial impact on healthcare outcomes?
We introduced blended learning long before it became a trend, allowing flexibility and accessibility for learners across regions. Our curriculum covers not just fitness, but also topics like injury prevention, reathletization, postural correction, and exercise for special populations.
How do you see the healthcare landscape evolving in Morocco over the next five years, and what role do you envision FITacademy playing in this transformation?
We are entering a new era where wellness, mental health, and preventive care are being taken seriously. In five years, I see Morocco integrating certified wellness professionals more closely into healthcare teams in clinics, schools, and corporate wellness programs.
FITacademy will be at the forefront of this evolution by continuing to train highly skilled professionals, influence public policy, and expand our regional impact with more hubs and digital programs.
We also plan to organize professional forums in Morocco in collaboration with international partners in the fitness, health, and wellness sectors fostering knowledge exchange, innovation, and global alignment.
How does FITacademy support and empower healthcare professionals to adapt to new technologies and practices?
We invest heavily in continuous education. We organize webinars with global experts, introduce the latest digital fitness tools, and guide our trainers in using wearable technology and health tracking apps to personalize coaching and improve outcomes.
What advice would you give to aspiring leaders who want to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare industry?
Lead with a mission. It’s not about perfection, it’s about persistence, learning, and surrounding yourself with a team that shares your vision.
Stay informed, stay agile, and most importantly, stay close to the people you want to impact.
Looking ahead, what is your personal vision for the future of healthcare in Morocco, and how do you plan to continue contributing to this vision through your work at FITacademy?
I envision a Morocco where certified fitness professionals are integrated into the healthcare conversation as key players in prevention, rehabilitation, and mental well-being.
Through FITacademy, I will continue advocating for regulation, recognition, and resources for our sector. Our goal is to make high-level health and wellness education accessible to every coach and community that needs it.
