Brothers who started practicing later - how did you build friendships? Salam

As-salamu alaykum. I stopped letting haram into what I watch, listen to, and joke about, and now I’m wondering how to make friends. I don’t listen to music, I don’t watch or read much, I don’t play video games (I know some can be okay but I just don’t have time), and most of my free time is gym. I’m not sure how to form and maintain friendships with that routine. I’m in my third year at uni and haven’t made close friends here. I talk sometimes with a few guys but I never asked for their contact info - what would we even talk about? I could join a club but many have mixed events, and I keep hearing “make friends at the masjid” or “join the Muslim association,” but I’m in a majority-Muslim country so there isn’t a campus Islamic club and going to the masjid isn’t anything special. Even if I did try, how do you start the conversation, and what do you keep talking about later? Also, I find it hard to call someone a friend if they don’t make me laugh, but a lot of things that make me laugh used to involve haram, so I’m struggling to find that connection now. The only friend I made after high school was a friend-of-a-friend because we kept having voice calls, but I still feel a bit alone - my high school friends are abroad - and I’d like religious friends who understand this path and can help each other grow as Muslims. I’m not complaining - Alhamdulillah I’m grateful for guidance and for being able to leave those things behind - I’m just looking for practical tips. How did you meet people after you started practicing? How did you keep friendships that fit your values? Any advice on starting conversations or activities that lead to genuine, halal friendships?