Stepping out of my comfort zone in China

Living abroad is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. After 14 years in China, I count myself incredibly fortunate for the journey I've had — the places I've seen, the lessons I've learned, and the deep insights I've gained into this country's rich and complex culture.

I've always been drawn to the more traditional and historical parts of the cities I visit, endlessly fascinated by China's ancient architecture, customs and stories. But I also make a conscious effort to embrace the modern side of life here — because truly understanding any culture means stepping out of your comfort zone and connecting with the people who live it every day.

That part, however, doesn't always come naturally to me, being somewhat introverted. While I've exercised regularly since my teenage years, it's usually been through solo sports like running and swimming. So when two friends convinced me to try a group HIIT class called F45, I was skeptical.

I wasn't too concerned about the physical challenge — I thought I was in decent shape (a mistake I quickly came to regret) — but the social aspect of the class was intimidating. The idea of working out, sweating and potentially making a fool of myself in front of a group of strangers, not to mention the post-workout tradition of high-fiving everyone, wasn't exactly something I relished.

I pictured a room full of elite athletes competing with each other to see who was the strongest, fastest, and fittest. But thankfully, I couldn't have been more wrong.

Instead, I found a welcoming and supportive group of people of all ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels — people who were there to have 45 minutes (the 45 in F45) of exercise, encouragement and fun.

It didn't take long for me to feel at home, and four years later, I couldn't be more happy that I gave it a shot. I've accomplished more than I ever expected — placing 1st in the F45 Playoffs men's doubles relay and 3rd in Hyrox Shanghai, achievements I never would've imagined when I first walked into that studio. But even more meaningful are the connections I've made. I've met new friends, that I know I'll stay in touch with for years to come — something that becomes increasingly difficult as we get older, especially when living in a foreign country.

Most of all, this experience reminded me that learning about a place isn't just about visiting temples, museums, or historical sites — it's about sharing daily life with the people who call it home. China is a vast, multifaceted, and endlessly fascinating country, and while I've only scratched the surface, the most valuable insights I've gained have come not from guidebooks or tours, but from conversations and friendships built over time. I still don't love the high-fives though.