A journey of resilience(SHAABAA chairman Afshin Ghassemi basks in the glory of Ironman success)

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebuano businessman and multi-sport enthusiast Afshin Ghassemi was among those who made waves in the Megaworld Ironman 70.3 Philippines at the sprawling Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City recently.

Ghassemi, the president and Chief Executive Officer of Core Pacific Money Exchange Corporation with over 250 branches nationwide, crossed the finish line with a deep sense of pride especially that he won first place in the CEO male category.

The current chairman of Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA) completed the grueling race that consists of 1.9-kilometer swim, 90km bike, and 21k run in six hours, 18 minutes and 16 seconds.    

Interestingly, Ghassemi entered the world of triathlon only by chance five years ago. He was forced to take up swimming first as part of his physical therapy treatment for a chronic lower back pain he was suffering at that time.

“I got into triathlon in 2017 due to my chronic lower back pain; an MRI revealed that I had an annular tear in my lumbar spine. I was told by my doctor that I should do swimming because it is good for core strengthening and thus helps relieve back pain,” Ghassemi shared. 

“I felt swimming was boring. Being the competitive person that I am, I needed a contest that will push me in swimming. So I invited my close friends, doctors Pierre Mella and Soy Pena, to form a triathlon relay team. I would do the swim because I couldnt do the bike or run due to the back injury,” he added.       

Ghassemi said his first swim was during the 2017 edition of the Ironman 70.3 Cebu Philippines.

“To many, it was one of the toughest swims in Ironman 70.3 Cebu history due to the strong current. The race was instantly addicting. I wanted more!,” Ghassemi said. I then asked sir Noy (Filben Pasco, a physical therapist) and doctor Kenneth Ng ( rehab doctor), Can i bike? Can I run? They said yes if you work hard on your core muscles strength. So I spent one to three hours doing swim-bike-run daily. And also spent over an hour with sir Noy to strengthen my core daily.”

That sparked Ghassemi’s love affair with triathlon.

Like any other athletes, Ghassemi was confronted with many challenges heading into his biggest race yet, the grand return of the prestigious Ironman 70.3 event in Cebu after a longsome pause because of the pandemic.

“The biggest challenges always lie before the race actually happens - in the preparations leading to the event. To start, I was overweight two months before the race. From 140 pounds in my last race in New Zealand last March 2020, I gained 45 pounds to 185 pounds as we approached June 2022. I had to shed at least 25 pounds to be able to at least run without damaging my back! I actually have an annular tear in my spine and being overweight worsens the problem,” Ghassemi said.        

But with the help of his wife Hana, a doctor who specializes in clinical nutrition, Ghassemi was able to lose more than 25 pounds in time for the Megaworld Ironman. He went as low as 158 pounds at the carbo loading three days before the race.

All his efforts and sacrifices paid off when Ghassemi, who is also the Strategic Alliance Partnership Chairman of EO Philippines South and Vice President (VP)-Internal of Sacred Heart-Ateneo de Cebu Alumni Association, emerged as champion in the select class composed of company executives all over the country.

“The feeling was overwhelming. I know I made a lot of people proud especially those who supported me throughout the journey,” said Ghassemi, whose victory came as an early birthday gift for himself as he turns 39 this month.

Ghassemi said by nature, he’s a very passionate and highly motivated individual who is always driven to take challenges.

And the Ironman success he just attained is a glaring testament to his inspiring journey of resilience worth emulating for.     

“Ironman is a good metaphor for life. You have to have discipline, dedication and hardwork to succeed. It teaches you to be patient while at the same time competitive. It trains your mind that success needs preparation and that you don’t achieve it overnight. It reminds you that you should always know where you are going. Finally, it teaches you that after all the sacrifices, you will reach the finish line and it would be all worth it,” Ghassemi concluded.