It is a universally common aspiration to hope to do something memorable, to become someone worth remembering. Across cultures and generations, people seek meaning through impact, hoping their lives will amount to more than fleeting moments. Yet very few individuals are fortunate or determined enough to transform that aspiration into an indisputable reality. While fate undoubtedly shapes the direction of one’s life, it still requires exceptional passion, drive, and perseverance to become truly unforgettable. Enigma’s Omnia Zaied explored this idea in an Enigma team interview with Australian-Egyptian boxer Mai Soliman, a woman who does not wait to be remembered, but works deliberately to make her name impossible to forget.
Soliman is among the rare few who discovered their calling early. Naturally energetic as a child, her restlessness found direction during her school years when she was first introduced to boxing. She recalls how watching Million Dollar Baby and following Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s fights sparked her curiosity, revealing that boxing could be more than mere entertainment. Encouraged by fascination rather than expectation, she decided to try the sport herself. What began as accompanying a friend to a single class soon revealed itself as something far more significant, she recalls: “I asked him “can I join you?” and just started doing it in secret – I didn’t tell my parents and got hooked into it before telling them two months in.”
It was not until she turned 18 that Soliman began to consider competing seriously. After finishing school, she entered her first amateur fight, an experience she describes as deeply intimidating. Stepping into the ring, she remembers feeling “like just a skinny young girl”, consumed by doubt before even facing her opponent, “I just questioned myself before I even stepped into the ring.” Yet fear did not define the moment. As soon as the fight began, something shifted. The nerves faded, replaced by focus and certainty. She was instantly hooked. From that first bout, Soliman went on to compete in 22 amateur fights before realising that turning professional better suited her style and ambitions. Turning pro also allowed her to represent both Australia and Egypt on the international stage, reinforcing her identity as a fighter who belongs to more than one place.
What makes Soliman unforgettable is not only her dedication to her own success, but her commitment to reshaping the space around her. Her ambitions extend beyond personal achievement, as she actively supports and advances the careers of other female boxers. Often without fully realising the extent of her influence, Soliman sets a standard simply by refusing to accept the limitations placed on women in the sport. By daring to dream openly and acting on those dreams, she creates space for others to imagine themselves doing the same.
This commitment to change became especially visible when Soliman pursued a fight that challenged long-standing norms within Australian boxing. Motivated by a desire, as she explains, to “do something different”, she pushed for women’s bouts to be fought over twelve three-minute rounds rather than the traditional ten two-minute rounds. This format, long reserved for men, symbolised a deeper inequality embedded within the sport. Her proposal was initially met with resistance, reflecting how deeply entrenched these divisions remain. Still, Soliman persisted despite noting that “we had a bit of backlash because of that”. Eventually, she found people willing to support the idea and help make it a reality. While she acknowledges the physical and mental demands of the decision, her outlook remains unwavering. Challenges, she says, “are going to come every day”. What matters is perseverance, and “making sure that you just keep going”.
Yet perseverance does not exist in isolation. For Soliman, progress has always been rooted in the people around her, from coaches to family and friends noting that “you have to have the right people around you” – people whose belief she describes as “the base of everything”. Their support provides stability in a sport that demands constant sacrifice. At the same time, Soliman is clear that external encouragement, while vital, can only go so far. Ultimately, it is self-belief that determines whether someone moves forward or stands still. She often returns to a mindset that guides her both in life and in the ring: “You can either be the hammer or be the nail.” While circumstances may sometimes force one to be either, she stresses the importance of giving yourself the chance, and the belief, that you can be the hammer.
This willingness to step into uncertainty and act despite fear has defined Soliman’s journey. She has spoken openly about her desire to cement her name as “Mai Soliman”, not simply through wins, but through the history she hopes to create. Being unforgettable, for her, is not accidental; it is intentional. Looking ahead, she dreams of fighting in Egypt, not just anywhere, but in front of the pyramids. The image is powerful, uniting heritage, identity, and endurance. In pursuing that vision, Soliman demonstrates that being remembered is not about waiting for recognition but about building a legacy strong enough to last.
At the heart of it all, Soliman’s journey, while inspiring, feels refreshingly human. She is driven, yes, but also curious, stubborn, and willing to take risks even when the outcome is uncertain. Her achievements are not presented as distant or untouchable, but as the result of showing up, asking for more, and refusing to shrink herself to fit outdated expectations. Whether she is stepping into the ring or pushing boundaries behind the scenes, Soliman moves with intention. She reminds us that being unforgettable does not require perfection, only courage, consistency, and the confidence to keep choosing to keep going, even when the path forward is unclear.