In the mid-1990s, when the idea of personal training was still novel in Lebanon, Mohammad Kaissi—known to friends and clients simply as Moe—began carving out a niche in the vibrant streets of Beirut. Long before boutique gyms and fitness influencers became the norm, Moe introduced the concept of one-on-one personal training to a city still finding its footing in the health and wellness arena.
His journey began humbly in 2004 with a gym -that he named “One-to-One Personal Training“- nestled in the heart of Gemmayze, a neighborhood famed for its lively energy and historic charm. Moe’s approach was intimate and revolutionary: tailored fitness programs designed to cater to individual needs. Word of mouth quickly became his strongest ally. Soon, his clientele included a roster of Beirut’s elite—celebrities, business moguls, and politicians who swore by his methods. His success led him to open a second big gym in 2013, also in Gemmayze.
More than a trainer, Moe Kaissi became a mentor. Under his guidance, a generation of fitness professionals emerged. Many of the trainers who began their careers at his gym went on to establish their own ventures, further cementing Moe’s legacy as a pioneer in Lebanon’s fitness industry.
But Moe’s story, like that of many Lebanese entrepreneurs, took a darker turn when the country’s financial crisis hit in 2019. As the economy crumbled, so did the stability Moe had painstakingly built over decades, this is when he took the decision to leave the country. He sold his gym to one of his clients, and continued to work in it and in other establishments as a PT, and as a seasoned consultant for other fitness centers in the city. Then, in 2020, the Beirut port explosion dealt an almost fatal blow —destroying the gyms he worked so hard for- and leaving him at a crossroads. With a heavy heart, Moe knew it was the right time to leave the country that had been his home and venture into the unknown.
A new frontier
Canada became his new frontier. In 2023, Moe, his wife, and their three children landed in Montreal, starting their lives from scratch. The shift was monumental. No longer surrounded by the familiar streets of Lebanon’s capital, Moe had to rebuild his brand in a foreign land. Armed with certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, he began to slowly find his footing.
True to his ethos, Moe allowed his work to speak for itself. His reputation grew, once again, by word of mouth. His training—whether in clients’ homes, online, or at gyms—combined his deep understanding of physical fitness with a personalized touch that few could rival. Montrealers quickly recognized the uniqueness of his methods, and his client list began to grow.
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Though he has firmly established himself in his adopted city, Moe’s heart remains tethered to Lebanon. He often reflects on the vibrant streets of Gemmayze and the community he built there. But when he looks at his children, thriving in a country with opportunities he could only dream of during Lebanon’s darkest days, he knows the sacrifices were worth it.
“Changing lives, one session at a time” has always been Moe’s mantra. From Beirut to Montreal, that hasn’t changed. Moe Kaissi’s journey is not just about fitness; it’s a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the enduring power of starting anew.
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