About Us
Afghan Wellness Club (AWC) was established on May 2015, to create an everlasting platform by filling a huge void in community engagement and health awareness. It was designed as a gateway to gather our brothers, sisters, family and friends in our local niche to work together and establish a proactive lifestyle that benefits everyone. We emphasize motivating one another with the power of MANY.
Our primary focus is not only centered on physical health but overall well-being of the entire population.
We believe in targeting localized areas that have the greatest need first (generally highly Afghan populated areas), in hopes of fostering community leaders within, that will then pass it along and create a link of unity state wide and hopefully internationally.
In the end, the goal to achieving success is always far more effective in numbers. We challenge you all to step outside of your nest and collectively be the advocate for change and in doing so help build a stronger, health conscious community for decades to come.
We currently have designed a board made up of individuals whom are motivated in making that change TODAY!
Fisal Mohsini Founder/ President
Graduated UCSD with a degree in Biochemistry, and have been spending the last 5 years in research, working specifically on new Immunotherapy approaches to treat various cancers/tumors. Having seen many dear family members and friends go through losses from a list of preventable illnesses, it was clear to me that the real Afghan epidemic rooted around the lack of urgency to lose the bad habits and motivation in taking a more health concious approach.
As a first generation Afghan American, I have learned that sometimes you may be given one opportunity to turn your life around. Living in 3 different countries and arriving to the states in my teens, I had trouble assimilating to the Afghan community, and I felt a disconnect with my Afghan American peers. It wasn't until later, through sports and fitness that I began to propagate what I call today, my AAN (Afghan American Network).
AWCs purpose will be to construct a network of active Afghans that are ready for change in our community today, while focusing primarily on a proactive health focused approach. I pride myself in being a health advocate and I want our community to eliminate taboos of how Afghans fail to be as health conscious in comparison to other minorities in the states. My goal is to take preventative measure in tackling our communities’ biggest diseases; Diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, cancer, and heart failure while strengthening our Afghan community core values of support and love for one another.
Zohab Yosufzai
Operations Chair
I am currently working on my Masters degree in Business Analytics/Data Science and currently broker on the side.
I have been a huge advocate for Afghan mental and physical well-being. My expertise in weights and cardivascular training has allowed me to assist many of my peers in performance training. As a donor to the Susan G. Komen donor for the cure breast cancer foundation, I have hopes that as a community we can resolve the issue before it arrises.
Fereshta Ashufta
Treasurer/Fundraiser Chair
Varied experience in higher education and entrepreneurship. Passionate about advancing women of color in higher education & business. I have lived in 6 countries, 4 continents, 20+ cities and am multilingual. I am happiest dancing, being silly, jumping up and down at concerts, meditating and being your biggest champion.
AWC had helped keep me motivated on my health and fitness journey since its existence. It brings the Afghan American community together for one purpose: Wellness!
Hasib Hofiani
Graphic Designer
As a fairly new grad (2014) from SDSU, I have been working in the health field industry, my most recent role as a Clinical Research Associate at a pharmaceutical company in San Diego.
Living a healthy life style was always a major key to me. That's why I joined AWC to help not only me, but to help bring up others in the community. I love to hike and explore new areas during spring and summer as well as lace up the boots and snowboard during winter.
Zala Askarzoi
Social Media/Marketing Chair
I am currently an undergrad student at CSUSM and an aspiring nurse practitioner. Being a college student, it is often a struggle making healthy choices when it comes to food.
AWC provided me with a platform to exercise healthy habits with like-minded individuals to motivate me even with a full load! I am thrilled to be one of the many voices for AWC and I look forward to spreading it via social med
Yusuf Marzi
NorCal Activity Chair
Currently a student and working full time, I attended an AWC hike last year not knowing what to expect. I was so impressed by the group activities, I can truly say it has turned around my life both physically and mentally. Time management is key and one can juggle more then you think.
I value what AWC has done with connecting our community members and establishing a healthier social environment to build confidence in people.
Meena Mostamandi
Health Edu: Nutrition/Fitness
UCSD graduate with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Cognitive Science. During undergrad, I hardly had time to "stay fit."
Being healthy isn't just about exercise, it starts in the kitchen! Portion control along with discipline in incorporating healthier options throughout your day is vital. I hope through AWC I can motivate others to change their lifestyle rather than be on a "diet."
Nasrollah Sekandari
East Coast Activity Chair
My name is Nasrollah Sekandari and I've focused on my health/fitness my whole life. It's something that I've struggled with on and off throughout the years and it is very important to me.
AWC is a great organization that enables me to find like-minded people to: participate in healthy events/activities, spread knowledge/experience/best practices.
Hamid Sakhi
Co-SoCal Activity Chair
Like many platforms including AAC or AHI, AWC stands to promote community as well as healthy lifestyle habits. Therefore, as a health care provider, I am interested in serving AWC because I believe that a healthy lifestyle leads to healthy mind and a healthy mind results in a happy life.
Farsana Ayubi
Recruitment Chair
Cal State Fullerton graduate with an accounting background. Surprise! I believe in living a happy and healthy life filled with light and love. I enjoy eating healthy, riding my bike and doing yoga.
AWC goes hand in hand with my belief of motivation "moves" people. We are at an age where fast foods are easily accessible and Netflix is what all people do in their free time. Now is the time to change all that, and it all starts with a little spark. We are hoping AWC will create that spark for you all!