A former Blackburn dessert business owner who once helped shape East Lancashire’s sweet treat scene has transformed his life through fitness and charity.
Yusuf Lambat, previously the owner of Subzero, Melt Dessert Bar and Dipz Donuts, spent more than a decade running dessert businesses after opening one of the county’s first dessert cafés in 2011.
However, during the Covid pandemic, rising costs, high bills and the pressures of family life took a heavy toll.
Yusuf said it was an extremely difficult period to walk away from something he had built and loved.
The stress also began to affect his health, both mentally and physically, with doctors raising concerns.
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Fast forward two years, and Yusuf has completely changed direction.
Now 47, he has become a competitive athlete, taking part in some of the toughest endurance and combat events in the country and beyond.
Just this year alone, he has challenged himself in a wide range of events, including Deadly Dozen, Deka, ATHX, Tough Mudder, a three-day mountain bike challenge in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco for charity, a solo HYROX race at London Excel and an Ultra MMA fight just one week later.
Yusuf and his nine-year-old son also walked more than 80,000 steps for charity when they managed to do the Yorkshire Three Peaks in under 12 hours.
Reflecting on his journey, Yusuf said, “Age is only a number.”
He was the oldest and shortest fighter on the night at the Ultra MMA event and raised more than £3,500 for charity, earning recognition as the highest fundraiser.
He described the experience as bigger than individual results.
“Everyone is a winner, because we all raised money for our respective charities,” he said.
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The charity he supported was Blackburn UK Trust, a local organisation that provides aid internationally.
As part of its work, the charity will be taking orphans to Makkah and Medina in January, something Yusuf says means a great deal to him.
“It will be the best feeling ever to take the suffering orphans on the pilgrimage,” he said.
“To me, the orphans are the true fighters, because they are fighting for justice and survival every day.”
Yusuf believes his transformation has taught him powerful life lessons and hopes to inspire others, particularly young people.
“My advice is, stay active, stay disciplined, focused, healthy, humble and challenge yourself,” he said.
“Life is very short, and you don’t want to live in regrets. If I can do it, then anyone can do it if you put your mind to it.”
He also stressed the importance of health, adding: “We need to take care of our health, because it’s a gift from the Almighty Lord.”
Looking ahead, Yusuf is currently studying for a Level 4 and 5 qualification in strength and conditioning.
Once completed, he hopes to open a small fitness space to support the community, with a particular focus on helping the younger generation stay fit, strong and healthy.
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