In ‘Raise the Bar,’ we engage with coaches whose stories embody resilience, transformation, and purpose. Our mission is to connect you with top-tier coaches and seasoned professionals with years of experience in elite training environments, who have not only transformed themselves from the inside out but have guided hundreds of others toward a healthier, more intentional lifestyle. In a fitness industry flooded with misinformation, we're here to cut through the noise. Our goal is to deliver clear, evidence-based insights that empower you to make informed decisions and choose the right path on your fitness journey. Today’s feature is no different, we feature an athlete turned professional coach - Zulsha Alibah.
01) The Introduction
Zulsha Alibah is an athlete with over a decade of experience in the world of fitness. From marathon tracks to the rugby field and from being a Cadet Corp to the CrossFit box, Zulsha has been chasing discomfort his whole life. Widely recognized as the Iron Island champ - Sri Lanka’s fittest in 2024 and the 2nd fittest man for CrossFit in Sri Lanka, Zulsha is an athlete and coach whose energy fuels everyone around him. But his story isn’t just about strength; it’s about resilience and embodying the true essence of the CrossFit game. After all, resilience in CrossFit isn't just about pushing through a tough workout; it's about rising every time your body screams to quit. Zulsha truly embodies this mantra.
02) Stepping Stone to Coaching
Zulsha’s journey began with long distance marathons, where he learned how to suffer with purpose. He dominated district-level races, then shifted gears to the rugby field in college, where speed met strength. As a Battalion-ranked Cadet Corp, he sharpened his discipline and leadership, building the foundation of the coach he is today.
The game changed in 2015, when Zulsha discovered the sport of CrossFit, this was the start of an epic journey. The combination of intensity, precision, and constant variation pushed him to a whole new level. Within months, he wasn’t just training, he was transforming. What started as a personal journey became a professional calling. Zulsha immersed himself in the CrossFit coaching world, channeling his athletic experience into helping others become their strongest selves.
“What Didn’t Kill You, Must Build You”
At just 30 years, Zulsha faced a devastating tragedy. On a routine ride to the gym a private bus collided with his bike and the velocity of the crash threw him against iron railings and harsh pavements. Leaving him with broken ribs, a broken finger, internal bleeding to the brain and lung laceration. Unconscious, destroyed and many surgeries later all the while being in excruciating pain, Zulsha picked himself up and worked through the difficulty. While others saw an end to his fitness career, Zulsha made it the defining moment in his life where it all changed.
The grit. The grind. The growth. He didn’t just survive it, he owned it.
His resilient and never say die nature allowed him to return strong. Forged in sweat-drenched mornings, failed lifts, and gruelling metcons that test not just your strength, but your will, he kept trying and trying again till he finally got to where he wanted to be.
03) The Comeback
This was not just a physical battle but a mental challenge too. Like for many athletes, resilience comes after injury, after loss, or after moments where quitting would be easier. Zulsha didn’t just survive challenges, he grew from it. Adapted, rebuilt and built a separate athlete injury prevention and recovery model that is built to bring one back stronger than ever before. His Expertise: A functional trainer and wellness expert
Resilience is what turns struggle into strength, and Zulsha is that coach that can help you recover successfully from injury and bring you to your greatest. A results-driven coach with a passion for movement that matters, Zulsha specializes in teaching the technical foundations of functional fitness and bodyweight skilled movements. Ranging from proper lifting mechanics to mobility, core control, calisthenics and movement efficiency. Offering a holistic approach, he goes beyond mere workouts, focusing on long-term health, injury prevention, and sustainable progress.
Discover If He’s the Coach Who Aligns with Your Goals
His coaching philosophy blends scientific training principles with personalized attention, empowering individuals to move better, feel stronger, and live healthier. Whether you're an athlete, beginner, or recovering from injury, this coach helps unlock your full potential through smart, intentional training and a deep commitment to wellbeing, balance, and longevity. Today, Zulsha is known fondly by many as "The Engine” not just for his elite endurance, but for his consistency, humility, and unstoppable drive. Whether he’s coaching a beginner or competing at the highest level, Zulsha brings the same fire to every session. He believes that true power is built in the moments when your grip fails, your legs shake, and the bar feels too heavy, but you keep going anyway. It’s the mindset that no matter how heavy the weight, how steep the climb, or how long the road back; it’s never the end. It’s just the next rep.
04) Conclusion
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be working with Zulsha Alibah to explore key topics including Personal Growth and Transformation, Mastering the Fundamentals, and Developing a Blueprint for Long-Term, Injury-Free Progress.
05) Credentials
- CrossFit L1 Certified Coach
- CrossFit Games Open Veteran Athlete 2016-2024
- Iron Island Functional Fitness Winner 2024 – Awarded Sri Lanka’s Fittest
- 2nd Fittest CrossFit Athlete in Sri Lanka
- Western Province Silver Medallist in Olympic Weightlifting
- District Level Long Distance Endurance Athlete
- Coach @ Crossfit Ceylon
- Founder Performance and Reps
