We’ve all come across the “Do as I say, not as I do” P.E teacher, who’s teaching stye consists of sitting on bleachers and yelling at students to run faster, throw further…you know the drill.
One thing we know, for sure, is that Danny Thomas does not fall into this category.
Mr.Thomas, an English-born P.E teacher at Nord Anglia International School in Dubai (NAS), lives the ultimate, and not to mention 
impressive, sporty lifestyle.
Far from being sick and tired of sports after a full day of teaching, the modern-day action man’s post-work week is crammed full of sport from start to finish, as is evidenced by his (exhausting just to look at) Instagram account.
He has taken part in a series of sporting events during his time in the UAE, including the Tough 
Mudder, one of the toughest obstacle courses designed to test your physical strength, stamina, and mental grit, as well as Spinneys Dubai 92, a tough cycling challenge.
Next on his never-ending list of physical challenges is the Dubai Marathon (January 2018), which he is preparing for with the Adidas Runners community. Not content with training for a 42-kilometer run in the desert, Thomas also finds the energy to play football, rugby, and tennis on a weekly-basis (as well as hitting the gym)!
In between teaching his P.E classes and pursuing his own sporting passions, Danny also coaches the football, rugby, cricket, and tennis teams at NAS. Trying to inspire and get to know his students is highly important to Mr.Thomas.
“I just try to be myself and share my knowledge and experiences with the children. I remember when my P.E teacher first spoke to me,
to me he was ‘the normal one’ and wanted not only to enhance me as a sportsman but wanted to get to know me and that’s what it’s all about,” said Danny.
As well as high hopes for his students, Mr.Thomas has quite a few goals and ambitions of his own for the following year, with his top priority being to keep fit and continually push his body to the limit, whilst having fun and forming friendships at the same time.
“There’s no good being in your comfort zone, you have to get out there and challenge yourself ” said Danny.
“I came here on my own, not knowing anyone, almost four years ago, but having an active sporting social life has given me the opportunity to meet and work with so many people from different countries/backgrounds, all sharing their experiences, which has been awesome.”
Mr.Thomas also has an unquenchable thirst for travel, as he demonstrated this summer, when he embarked on a month-long tour of the Southern Hemisphere.
“After months of planning I went to watch the British and Irish Lions take on the All Blacks this summer and travel around New Zealand. An unbelievable experience, especially seeing them win the second test in windy Wellington. After that I spent some time exploring Australia (Melbourne/Sydney/Canberra/Brisbane/Cairns) before heading back to the UK to spend a few weeks with the family and watch my beloved Bolton Wanderers back in the championship.”
Everyone at Gulf Youth Sport wishes Danny and all of his teams at NAS Dubai the best of luck for the upcoming sports season