A doctor is training for the brutal Iron Man challenge during the month of Ramadan.

Dr Zuber Bagasi, 36 who runs Synergy Dental Group is also hoping to raising funds for numerous hospices across Blackpool, Preston, Blackburn, Bolton, Bury and Ormskirk – as well as supporting dental charity Bridge2Aid.

Over the course of 17 hours, in July, Dr Bagasi will look to complete a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile cycle and a full marathon as part of the Iron Man Challenge.

He said, “It isn’t impossible although juggling all the additional elements of Ramadan, as well as the fasting is extremely difficult and keeps me extremely busy. I have had to make adjustments to my training and diet with the help of my trainer and nutritionist.

“I’m now training in between Taraweeh and Sehri, through a series of cycling sessions on a stationary Watt bike and some long-distance running outside.

"I’ve added in a bit of weights, too . I’m also on a high carb, high fat diet to ensure I maintain my current physicality and to ensure I’m not burning any excess fat or more importantly, muscle.

“Like with all training, recovery is very important so I take a siesta in the afternoons and then again after Sehri”

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Dr Bagasi of Bolton said he also hoped to inspire other professionals and businessmen to stay active.

 “I think it is often an under-reported aspect of the profession, but a lot of dentists suffer from stress and burnout which has negative psychological impacts on them outside of their surgeries and trickles into their personal lives.”

 “I’ve been very fortunate not to suffer from severe stress and burnout – largely due to the fantastic team I have to support me – but I have a lot of friends in the industry who regularly turn to me for advice and tips. The majority of them usually ask me how to deal with the aforementioned issues as well as general advice.

“My approach is always the same for each case – to provide a shoulder to lean on, to listen and then to advise them on how to tackle the problems based on how I have dealt with them in the past.

"Most of the time it works, but there are times where it doesn’t and they call me back facing the same problems again.

“That is when you have to start considering what type of psychological impact it may be having on them. Could any other method help them to alleviate this stress?”

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When he isn’t training for these types of challenges he likes to head to his local gym and push his body to its limits by taking part in high intensity circuit training, weightlifting as well as a mixture of boxing and mixed martial arts training.

He said, “Something I tell my fellow colleagues is that it is important to have something else to focus on and challenge you outside of work.

“This doesn’t exclusively apply to dentists either – anyone can and should do it. There’s nothing better than engaging in some sort of exercise to help you.

“For me, it is in the form of running and various cardio-based activities, but for others it may be in other forms – there are so many out there to choose from.

“Exercise has been scientifically proven to release endorphins in your brain to energise your spirit and make you feel good about yourself.

“It helps you break out of the cycle of negative thoughts brought on by stress that can lead to anxiety and depression.

"When you finish a training session or a gym class, the feeling of achievement can get addictive and motivates you to challenge yourself more.”

You can support and donate to Dr Bagasi here.