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  • Today’s guest is the youngest athlete I’ve had on the podcast. At just 8 years-old Zarah Ann Gladys was also the youngest competitor at the World Skateboarding Tour 2024 from Arada, which took place earlier this year in Dubai.  

    The event, which covered  both park and street skateboarding disciplines, saw skateboarders from all over the world compete to improve their Olympic World Skate Ranking ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.  It was here that I caught up with Zarah - who is India’s highest ranked female skateboarder in the park discipline of the sport, as well as her mom Annie -  and her little sister Karen.

    In my chat  with both Zarah and her mum I learned about the young athlete’s  intrinsic motivation for the sport, her very wise philosophy and approach to training and how her family, friends and school are enabling Zarah’s talent to flourish.  

    🛹 To find Zarah online: @zarah_skater

    🛹 To check out the AlJada Skateboard: @aljadaskatepark

    🛹 To read more about Zarah from Olympics.com, click HERE 

    Don’t forget to follow @themettleset and please do leave us a review (five ⭐ only). 

    I hope you enjoy the episode! 

    Dawn

  • Hello everyone. 

    Today’s guest is one of the region’s most prominent sports journalists. 

    She and I met years ago while I was working in public relations, managing the communications for Yas Marina Circuit for the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and Reem was working as a journalist with Sport 360.  

    Since that time, Reem’s career has flourished. She is a sports writer, columnist and video journalist for UAE's The National and Saudi Arabia’s Arab News, a tennis contributor to CNN and Eurosport, a contributor to wire agency AFP, as well as other outlets including The Guardian US, BBC News, Dubai Eye 103.8, Al Arabiya, and Wimbledon.com.  She regularly interviews some of the world’s and region’s most famous athletes and travels the world to cover a range of sports stories, not just tennis as she clarifies in our chat.   

    Most recently, Reem became the host and concept creator of the podcast Abtal, a series dedicated to Arab athletes and their journeys to the Paris 2024 Olympics - linked below. 

    In our chat, we discuss: 

    🎙️ the state of sports media and why it's important to adapt and learn 

    🎙️ some of her most memorable moments as a sports journalist including Coco Gauff, Ons Jabeur & Maradona just to name a few 

    🎙️ her new podcast Abtal 

    🎙️ what advice she’d give aspiring sports journalists 

    🎙️ who to watch for this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris 

    🎙️ the shift in sports journalism and why that’s a good thing for women’s sports, 

    🎙️ and what more is needed to really level the playing field when it comes to fair and equal coverage of women athletes. 

    This is a must-listen for anyone working in women’s sports or anyone with aspirations to do so! 

    Useful links: 

    🔗 Reem on Instagram 

    🔗 Reem’s new podcast Abtal 

    I hope you enjoy the episode! 

    Dawn 

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  • The Mettleset is back, We have an amazing array of guests lined up, and kicking off this new era is a guest who is simply remarkable. 

    Moroj Adil is Saudi Arabia’s first pro cyclist and you’d be forgiven for not knowing her name yet as she only started cycling two years ago. Yes, that is right, from not knowing how to ride a bike, to being on the Liv Alula Jayco Continental team, her story is one that needs to be heard and what’s most exciting is that it's just getting started. 

    In this episode, we chat through 

    🚲 How Moroj got started 🚲 Her first race 🚲 Her first mountain bike race, The Neom Titan Desert Race🚲 The AlUla Tour🚲 The Traka 🚲 Joining the Liv AlUla Jayco Continental Team 🚲 Her Olympic aspirations 

    Moroj’s story highlights what’s possible when you don’t put limits on yourself. It’s a story of taking - and making - opportunities, working hard and then letting the magic happen. It’s a story of heart, self-belief and the support you receive along the way. 

    Find Moroj on Instagram at @moroj.adi 

    I hope you enjoy the episode! 

    Dawn 

  • This is the fourth episode in a series to commemorate International Women’s Day because for us, every day is International Women’s Day, as we work to help create a more welcoming, equitable and just sports industry for all athletes.  

    We’ve taken some of the best moments from the 50+ episodes that we’ve recorded to share with you tales of joy, mettle, courage  and wisdom from an amazing array of women in sport from across the region. 

    If you haven’t checked out the first and second in the series, Episode 57, 58 and 59, please go do that HERE and HERE and HERE! 

     In this episode, you’ll hear stories from: 

    🇴🇲🏔️ EP 48 - Nadhira Al Harthy,  the first Omani woman to summit everest 🇸🇦🎿 EP 32 - Sharifa Al Sudairi , the first woman on Saudi Arabia’s alpine skiing team 🇸🇦🏃🏽‍♀️ EP 46 - Jude Jamjoom - the Co-Founder of Jeddah Tribe, a thriving Tri community in Saudi Arabia 🇬🇧🤸🏻‍♀️ EP 23 - Sarah Mercer, a UAE Based Olympic gymnast for team GB who’s Olympic journey to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics was far from linear 

    This episode series is dedicated to the memory of Palestinian Karate Champion, Nagham Abu Samra (1999-2024). For more information on Nagham, please visit the following articles HERE and HERE. 

    If you've been enjoying our content and finding value in our discussions, please take a quick moment to show your support. Just hit the subscribe button wherever you are listening to us so that you never miss an episode.

    Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only - and follow @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. This really helps us in our commitment to bring you the best possible show and the most interesting guests. 

    We hope you enjoy the episode! 

    Dawn & Afshan 

  • This is the third episode in a series to commemorate International Women’s Day because for us, every day is International Women’s Day, as we work to help create a more welcoming, equitable and just sports industry for all athletes.  

    We’ve taken some of the best moments from the 50+ episodes that we’ve recorded to share with you tales of joy, mettle, courage  and wisdom from an amazing array of women in sport from across the region. 

    If you haven’t checked out the first and second in the series, Episode 57 & 58, please go do that HERE and HERE. 

    In this episode, you’ll hear stories from: 

    🇩🇪 🐪 EP5 - Linda Krockenberger - the UAE’s first female camel jockey trainer 🇦🇪 🚴🏽‍♀️  EP28 - Safiya Al Sayegh  - the first Emirati woman on the Women’s WorldTour and first Emirati woman set to compete in Cycling at the Summer Olympics🇮🇷 🚵🏽‍♀️ EP20 - Faranak Partoatozar - an Iranian Mountain BIke champion, who recently became the first woman to podium in cycling  at the Asian games for Iran 🇦🇪 🏋🏽‍♀️ EP3 - Amna Al Haddad - a barrier breaking Emirati powerlifter who’s many accomplishments paved the way for future generations of emirati athletes 🇦🇺 🏊🏼‍♀️EP28 - Jessica Smith  - a UAE based Australian who uses her experience as a Paraolympian and personal story of  to drive home the importance diversity and inclusion 

    This episode series is dedicated to the memory of Palestinian Karate Champion, Nagham Abu Samra (1999-2024). For more information on Nagham, please visit the following articles HERE and HERE. 

    If you've been enjoying our content and finding value in our discussions, please take a quick moment to show your support. Just hit the subscribe button wherever you are listening to us so that you never miss an episode.

    Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only - and follow @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. This really helps us in our commitment to bring you the best possible show and the most interesting guests. 

    We hope you enjoy the episode! 

    Dawn & Afshan 

  • This is the second episode in the Women of Wisdom, a series to commemorate International Women’s Day. For us, every day is International Women’s Day, as we work to help create a more welcoming, equitable and just sports industry for all athletes.  

    We’ve taken some of the best moments from the 50+ episodes that we’ve recorded to share with you tales of joy, mettle, courage  and wisdom from an amazing array of women in sport from across the region. 

    If you haven’t checked out the first in the series, Episode 57, please go do that HERE. 

     In this episode, you’ll hear stories from: 

    🇲🇦 EP 45 - Moroccan Golfer, Maha Haddoui, the first Arab women on the Ladies European Tour 🇸🇦 EP 15 - Saudi Triathlon Trailblazer, Dina Al Tayeb, the first Saudi National and first Arab woman to complete the Ironman World Championships in Kona 🇧🇭 EP 44 - Bahraini Ultra-Runner Fatema Husain, the first Bahraini man or woman to finish UTMB, the world’s toughest ultra race and last but not least 🇮🇳 EP 4  - UAE Based Anisha Shetty of India, A two time UAE Muay Thai Champion and three time national Muay Thai champion for India 

    This episode series is dedicated to the memory of Palestinian Karate Champion, Nagham Abu Samra (1999-2024). For more information on Nagham, please visit the following articles HERE and HERE. 

    If you've been enjoying our content and finding value in our discussions, please take a quick moment to show your support. Just hit the subscribe button wherever you are listening to us so that you never miss an episode.

    Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only - and follow @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. This really helps us in our commitment to bring you the best possible show and the most interesting guests. 

    We hope you enjoy the episode! 

    Dawn & Afshan 

  • This is a very special edition of The  Mettleset Podcast, the first of a series, with episodes going live daily next week as well. 

    For us, everyday is International Women’s Day as we work to help create a more welcoming, equitable and just sports industry for all athletes.  Since our first episode went live in October 2022, we’ve had the opportunity to speak with an amazing array of wise women in sport  - from across the region, and beyond it  - who were kind enough to share their stories, their insights and advice and throughout it all, their strength. 

    In honour of our many guests, we wanted to compile some moments to share with you these stories of mettle, friendship, fun, identity, purpose, new beginnings, and big accomplishments from athletes all across the region.

    This episode features: 

    EP 19 Guest - Lebanese Mountaineer - Nelly Attar EP 10 Guest -  Saudi Motorsport Star - Dania Akeel EP 2 Guest - UAE-Based Endurance Athlete - Ivana Kolaric EP 9 Guest -  Afghan Triathlete - Zeinab Rezai EP 27 Guest -  Guest Emirati Crossfitter Shahad Budebs 

    This episode series is dedicated to the memory of Palestinian Karate Champion, Nagham Abu Samra (1999-2024). For more information on Nagham, please visit the following articles HERE and HERE. 

    If you've been enjoying our content and finding value in our discussions, please take a quick moment to show your support. Just hit the subscribe button wherever you are listening to us so that you never miss an episode.

    If you've been enjoying our content and finding value in our discussions, please take a quick moment to show your support. Just hit the subscribe button wherever you are listening to us so that you never miss an episode.

    Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only - and follow @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. This really helps us in our commitment to bring you the best possible show and the most interesting guests. 

    We hope you enjoy the episode! 

    Dawn & Afshan

  • Today’s episode is a  continuation of our discussion on female athlete health with Dr Kate Jordan, a sports and exercise medicine physician at based in Dubai.

    The first part of this REWIND episode came out last week, and you can access it directly from here: EP55: Part 1 Female athlete health: Sports and Exercise Medicine doctor Kate Jordan on common injuries, LEA and right fuelling for performance.

    In this episode, we go deeper into our discussion on training on your menstrual cycle, hormones, the importance of supplements, and strength and resistance training as we age. 

    We would like to add that this is a general discussion on athlete health and any information in this podcast is for educational purposes only, and does not intend to substitute a personal consultation with a physician, diagnosis or treatment.  If you have any health concerns, please speak to your doctor. 

    We hope you enjoy the episode! 

    To know more about Dr. Kate Jordan, visit find her on LinkedIn.

    Today’s episode was supported by the awesome and adventurous team at Deep Dive Dubai, the world’s deepest pool. Check them out for some truly awe-inspiring scuba and freedive experiences. Visit www.deepdivedubai.com

     For more info,  visit www.themettleset.com , and follow us on @themettleset

    Dawn

  • Concussions, shoulder troubles, ACL tears, low bone density, Low Energy Availability, menopause …

    Sports, and injuries from it, tend to impact female athletes in a different way to their male counterparts. 

    Yet, it is only now that awareness and medical research has ramped up around the gender differences in sports medicine. 

    Joining us on today’s show to discuss some of the most pressing issues in female athlete health is Dr Kate Jordan, a sports and exercise medicine physician at Mediclinic Parkview Hospital in Dubai.

    Dr Jordan has worked with elite athletes throughout her career. She’s been with international teams at the London 2021 Olympics, Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games,  She has also been with the British Olympic team, Scottish Rugby and Football, and at the Scottish Institute of Sports.

    Dr Jordan is currently working with British Swimming, for World Rugby as a tournament doctor and a medical educator, and in anti-doping. 

    Having treated a wide range of illnesses and injuries in elite sports, Dr Jordan shares insights from her personal experiences with patients and current research around female health. She also demystifies female health concerns and talks about the need to look closely at the performance vs long-term health balance. 

    This is the first or our two part interview with Dr Jordan where we explore common injuries in female athletes, Low Energy Availability, disordered eating and the right fuelling for performance and health. 

    Tune in next week for Part 2 where we discuss training, the menstrual cycle, hormones and menopause, as well.

    We would like to add that this is a general discussion on female athlete health and any information in this podcast is for educational purposes only, and does not intend to substitute a personal consultation with a physician, diagnosis or treatment if you have any health concerns. 

    Enjoy!

    To know more about Dr. Kate Jordan, find her on LinkedIn.

    Today’s episode was supported by the awesome and adventurous team at Deep Dive Dubai, the world’s deepest pool. Check them out for some truly awe-inspiring scuba and freedive experiences. Visit www.deepdivedubai.com

    For more info,  visit www.themettleset.com , and follow us on @themettleset

    Dawn

    @dawnable 

     

  • It is sport event season in the Middle East and one event that we’re super excited to see roll into Abu Dhabi for its second edition is The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open which is taking place 3-11 February at the International Tennis Center, Zayed Sports City. 

    In today’s episode, we speak to one of the unsung heroines of the event, Vickie Gunnarss, Senior Director, Global Partnerships and Business Development for IMG Tennis Events.

    Our Vickie  provides many lessons and learnings for any of our listeners who want to work in sport and perhaps is very relatable to those who do work in sport. We also cover: 

     🎾 Vickie’s own path into sport which started in childhood in Sweden

    🎾 Tennis School and how she became a scholarship athlete in the USA 

    🎾 Representation in Tennis, 

    🎾 How Tennis is moving towards pay equity,  

    🎾 The role of Tennis great Billie Jean King and what it means to all women in sport 

    🎾 How she made the transition from athlete to sports management. 

    Last but certainly not least, we chat through all the anticipated action of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open and why you must go. We get a little explainer on what it means for this event to be a WTA 500 event, we talk about the stars of the event, which this year will include World No 6, Tunisia’s own Ons Jabeur, Naomi Osaka, and Emma Raducanu just to name a few. Buy your tickets here: https://www.mubadalaabudhabiopen.com/tickets/

    Another cool event that Vickie played a key role in bringing to life is the Jasmin Open in Tunisia which you can read all about HERE. 

    Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only - and follow @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. This really helps us in our commitment to bring you the best possible show and the most interesting guests. 

    Our wider support team for this episode includes Editor JJ Thompson and our Artwork is by the talented Alexandra Hickey of Studio Theodore. 

    We hope you enjoy the episode! 

    Dawn & Afshan 

  • Hi Guys,

    If you’ve arrived at Part 2 of our chat with Ishtar Azzawi, the founder of Baghdad Skate Girls, after listening to Part 1,  fabulous. We hope you enjoyed it! If not, we urge you to head to Part 1 of this episode to listen to the inspiring origin story of a skateboarding community exclusively for women in Iraq. 

    This instalment dives into Ishtar’s professional sporting career in jiu-jitsu. Since starting the sport, after moving to the UAE in 2011, Ishtar has become a multi-national and international gold medallist competing under Commando Group UAE academy, and is part of the Iraqi National Team. Her recent and most recognised titles include World Pro Champion (April 2019) European Master Champion (May 2019) Grand Slam Champion (Jan 2019) and Asian Champion (2017).

    Ishtar discusses what she has learnt from the sport that has made her the person she is today, and anecdotes from her time in the ring and off it. We also talk about the not-so-apparent connection between skateboarding and jiu-jitsu, which aren’t really at two ends of the sporting spectrum after all. 

    To find Ishtar on Instagram:  @ishtar_azzawi

    Baghdad Skate Girls can be followed on @baghdadskategirls

    To know more about Ishtar’s efforts with Forsah, the NGO supporting Iraq’s future Olympians, visit https://www.forsah.org/

    For more information about the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, visit https://events.uaejjf.org/en

    If you've been enjoying our content and finding value in our discussions, please take a quick moment to show your support. Just hit the subscribe button wherever you are listening to us so that you never miss an episode.

    Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only - and follow @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. This really helps us in our commitment to bring you the best possible show and the most interesting guests. 

    Our wider support team for this episode includes Editor JJ Thompson and our Artwork is by the talented Alexandra Hickey of Studio Theodore. 

    We hope you enjoy the episode! 

    Dawn & Afshan

  • Ishtar Azzawi calls this her planting season.

    It’s fitting because this jiu-jitsu champ, and our guest, who has represented her country Iraq in the sport while living abroad all her life had always felt that her true calling had gone unanswered. So, last year, she decided to pack her life in the UAE and head home to Baghdad. 

    The planting season symbolises more than just a departure from the comfort of a privileged life and unrestricted access to resources in professional sport for her. It signifies a profound shift in purpose and towards embracing her roots, and marks the inception of a new chapter of sowing the seeds of social change in Iraq through another sport - skateboarding. 

    Remarkably, venturing into unfamiliar territory as an amateur skateboarder herself, Azzawi founded Baghdad Skate Girls in December with the aim of bringing the transformative power of skateboarding to women in Iraq. 

    The benefits of introducing the sport in war-torn and war-scarred countries is well-documented. Within that backdrop in Iraq, Baghdad Skate Girls has been fostering resilience, confidence and community, particularly for young women challenging societal norms. 

    In Part 1 of this episode, Ishtar shares why she had to move to Iraq in search of fulfilment and her aspiration to build foundations for young athletes with Olympic dreams. We discuss how one Instagram post began a skateboarding movement in Baghdad, and how it has been received by society. And while the first steps to building a skateboarding community have been taken, Ishtar tells us about the challenges and resources needed to grow and flourish. 

    Also, don’t forget to check out Part 2 next where she discusses her journey into jiu-jitsu and some pre-fight rituals. 

    To find Ishtar on Instagram:  @ishtar_azzawi

    Baghdad Skate Girls can be followed on @baghdadskategirls

    To know more about Ishtar’s efforts with Forsah, the NGO supporting Iraq’s future Olympians, visit https://www.forsah.org/

    For more information on other skating organisations working with young people around the world:

    Skatistan, visit https://skateistan.org/

    Skate Pal, visit: https://www.skatepal.co.uk/

    Seven Hills, visit: https://www.7hillspark.com/

    If you've been enjoying our content and finding value in our discussions, please take a quick moment to show your support. Just hit the subscribe button wherever you are listening to us so that you never miss an episode.

    Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only - and follow @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. This really helps us in our commitment to bring you the best possible show and the most interesting guests. 

    Our wider support team for this episode includes Editor JJ Thompson and our Artwork is by the talented Alexandra Hickey of Studio Theodore. 

    On to the show…enjoy!

  • Welcome to 2024 and perhaps one of our most important episodes. This is the story of the Gaza Sunbirds, a Palestinian para-cycling team located in Gaza, as told by Karim Ali, the team’s UK-based International Coordinator. While we wished that sharing this story would have been under better and peaceful circumstances, we’re here to tell you that this is a story of hope and true resilience. A story of Sumud, which is explained in the episode. 

    Like so many across the world, we’ve found it truly difficult to make sense of what is happening in this little strip of land on the Mediterranean Sea. Like many also, we’ve spent the past three months, learning more historical context, hoping for peace and doing what we can to show the world that athletes - living in, and from the wider Middle East, Palestinians included  - want nothing more than what any of us want, to live in peace, security, & freedom and to experience all the joy that life offers. 

    In this episode, we discuss the original mission and origins of the Gaza Sunbirds including the story of its founder Alaa al-Dali and the circumstances that saw him go from Olympic hopeful to amputee and then para-athlete in his new reality. We learn about members of the team, what life was like for this team of para-cyclists before October 7, how their mission has changed and what hopes they have for the future. 

    As we mention in the episode, below are some resources and further information that we invite you to check out: 

    🇵🇸 Athletes for Palestine @AthletesForPalestine -  https://linktr.ee/athletesforpalestine 🚲 The Gaza Sunbirds (@GazaSunBirds) First Flight - The Gaza Sunbirds in Rouleur from August, 2022

    Some historical context: 

    Amnesty International - information first published February 2022 Amnesty International - information on The  Great March of Return first published  2019 

    Palestinian Sport Teams & Accounts to Check Out: 

    🛹  Skate Pal (@skate_pal) - a charity organisation supporting young people in Palestine through Skateboarding 🚲 Cycling Palestine (@cyclingpalestine) a cycling group in the Occupied West Bank 🧗🏾‍♀️ Wadi Climbing - (@wadi_cimbing) a palestinian climbing group in the Occupied West Bank 🏄🏾‍♂️ Gaza Surf Club (@gazasurfclub) - a surf club in Gaza 

    We hope you were touched by this episode as much as we were and thank you again for listening. 

    Dawn &

  • Hi Guys,

    Remember the first time you heard about the sport dressage? Did you have to google it or are you reaching for your phone right now? You’re not alone! Even in a country where we are based - the UAE-  and a region where equestrian traditions date back centuries, dressage (and we’ve just dropped a hint here), is only just growing in popularity.

    So, what do you find when you google dressage? A captivating equestrian art form, a meticulously orchestrated dance that unfolds gracefully between rider and horse—a true synergy of kindred spirits.

    In the UAE, dressage is experiencing a surge in popularity, marked by a remarkable 120% increase in rider registrations over the past year, with 20% of them being Emirati participants. 

    Today, we're joined by our guest, Natalie Lankester, an accomplished equestrian who proudly represented the UAE alongside her four-legged companion, Cash DXB, at the 19th Asian Games in September. Their performance took them all the way to the Freestyle Dressage qualifying round of the competition.

    For Natalie, horse riding is a familial legacy, and upon moving to the UAE, dressage became everything from a competitive outlet to therapy.  In this sport, where proficiency deepens with age and experience, Natalie shares insights into her profound connection with her horses and their welfare in sports, the collaborative training journey, the honour of representing the UAE internationally, her remarkable performance at the Asian Games, and the promising trajectory of dressage in the Emirates.

    For cyclists accustomed to only grappling with bike "mechanicals," this conversation offered us a unique perspective in the delicate partnership in equestrian sports.

    To find Natalie on Instagram: @natalie_lankester_dressage and @dxbhorses

    For more about equestrian sports in the UAE visit the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation: https://uaeerf.ae/en/

    Natalie's sponsors include LeMieux (@lemieuxproductsofficial) and Saddle Box Spain (@saddleboxspain)

    Natalie is represented by @wearedarkhorse.co and thank you to Hannah and team for organizing this interview!

    If you've been enjoying our content and finding value in our discussions, please take a quick moment to show your support. Just hit the subscribe button wherever you are listening to us so that you never miss an episode.

    Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only - and follow @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. This really helps us in our commitment to bring you the best possible show and the most interesting guests. 

    We hope you enjoy the episode! 

    Dawn & Afshan 

  • As you just heard, The Mettleset is launching a new podcast, The Just Bikes Podcast - hosted by Dawn and friends. 

    As the name suggests, the podcast is all about bikes. From ultra- to adventure, the pain cave to the peloton and lots of type-two fun, The Just Bikes Podcast will feature a host of guests from all over the world to talk about all things cycling and cycling culture. 

    Follow us on IG at @justbikesthepodcast.

    Don’t forget to subscribe, like and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Five stars only!

    The podcast is launching with the support of the @SpinneysDubai92, a cycle challenge for everyone, including host Dawn Barnable as this was her very first race.

    Join one of three events, all starting & ending at Expo City Dubai this 24-25th February, 2024.  For more info on the Junior Rides, the 35 km TotalEnergies Outride, and the 92 km Main Event, hop on over to @spinneysdubai92 or visit cyclechallenge.ae. 

  • This episode follows UAE National Day 🇦🇪, when everyone living in the UAE celebrates the independence of the country, 52 years ago.

    This is a young country with a rich history and a vibrancy that is hard to beat. That’s why it's a pleasure today to have a rising Emirati star - and our youngest guest ever -, 15 year-old snowboarder Amenah Al Muhairi as our guest. 

    Yes, you heard that correctly, Amenah is an up and coming snowboarder hailing from the United Arab Emirates, a country where winter temperatures usually sit at a very nice 26 degrees celsius. 

    Amenah is the first Emirati snowboarder to represent the UAE in an international snowboarding competition which she did earlier this year at the World Junior Championships in Freestyle Snowboarding in New Zealand.

    Amenah is also our first snowboarder on the podcast and also in a first for us, it is the first time that we have an athlete parent duo as guests as Amenah’s Mum Maya also joins us to discuss Amenah’s exciting future in sport.  

    We loved this chat so much that we covered a lot so we’ve split this episode in two parts, with Part Two live now as well. 

    To find Amenah on Instagram: @itsamenahalmuhairi

    For more information on: 

    Mubadala, visit https://www.mubadala.com Ski Dubai, visit: https://www.skidxb.com 

    If you've been enjoying our content and finding value in our discussions, please take a quick moment to show your support. Just hit the subscribe button wherever you are listening to us so that you never miss an episode.

    Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only - and follow @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. This really helps us in our commitment to bring you the best possible show and the most interesting guests. 

    Our wider support team for this episode includes Editor JJ Thompson and our Artwork is by the talented Alexandra Hickey of Studio Theodore. 

    We hope you enjoy the episode! 

    Dawn & Afshan

  • This is Part Two of two of our chat with 15 year-old Emirati snowboarder Amenah Al Muhairi, and her mum Maya! 

    If you haven’t checked out Part One, you may want to pause and go back and do that now! It’s a great chat about Amenah’s start in sports, her and her family’s approach to training as well as wise words from Amenah herself. 

    In this - Part Two, we’re chatting through Amenah’s future plans including Olympic aspirations, and the wonderful support she’s received through sponsors. We also chat through what more needs to be done more broadly in the sports eco-system to ensure that all young athletes are able to live up to their full potential. 

    We also chat through why Amenha is not not only aiming for the stars, but also the moon!  

    To find Amenah on Instagram: @itsamenahalmuhairi

    For more information on: 

    Mubadala, visit https://www.mubadala.com Ski Dubai, visit: https://www.skidxb.com The UAE Winter Sports Federation, check them out on @uaewsf

    If you've been enjoying our content and finding value in our discussions, please take a quick moment to show your support. Just hit the subscribe button wherever you are listening to us so that you never miss an episode.

    Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only - and follow @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. This really helps us in our commitment to bring you the best possible show and the most interesting guests. 

    Our wider support team for this episode includes Editor JJ Thompson and our Artwork is by the talented Alexandra Hickey of Studio Theodore. 

    We hope you enjoy the episode! 

    Dawn & Afshan

  • Today’s guest is the most successful female sailor in Olympic history, Hannah Mills, OBE. 

    Among Hannah’s many accolades are a Silver in the 2012 London Olympics, a Gold in the 2016 Rio Olympics and another gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.  That’s certainly not where it started or ended for Hannah with multiple gold, silver and bronze medals to her name from the World Championships, World Junior Championships, European Championships and European Junior Championships. 

    In this episode, we chat through Hannah’s start in sport, her early ambitions - sparked by watching the Olympics as a child - and how they were both realised with her gold medal win in 2016 and also it led to a full circle moment with her newest endeavour, as a Strategist with team Emirates GBR in the relatively new, and undoubtedly riveting SailGP, also known as the world’s most exciting racing on water. 

    Hannah also educates us on this amazing new sport format and its focus on both equality and sustainability - a particular passion point for Hannah who thanks to her work in this space has been recognised as a International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sustainability Ambassador. 

    Catch Hannah on the socials on at @hannahmills_gbr and her team Emirates GBR at @emiratesgbrsailgp 

    We discuss lots more but as promised, please find below some links and details including dates and how to purchase tickets for Sail GP. 

    🗓️ Sail GP will be in Dubai on 9-10 December, and in Abu Dhabi on 13-14 January so please check it out!

    🎟️ For information on Sail GP and to buy tickets or watch online, please visit https://sailgp.com. 

    Also as promised, please find info on Hannah’s, and Sail GP’s programmes and initiatives to promote equality & sustainability:

    🍃 The Big Plastic Pledge @big_plastic_pledge🌎 Athletes of the World https://athletesoftheworld.org 👩🏽 SailGP’s Women Pathway Program ⛵ SailGP’s Impact League AKA the Podium for The Planet 📰 And hot off the press is news that SailGP will Highlight its commitment to climate action with the first ever ‘Race for The Future’ Takeover in Dubai. Check it out HERE. 

    If you've been enjoying our content and finding value in our discussions, please take a quick moment to show your support. Just hit the subscribe button wherever you are listening to us so that you never miss an episode.

    Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only - and follow @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. This really helps us in our commitment to bring you the best possible show and the most interesting guests. 

    Our wider support team for this episode includes Editor JJ Thompson and...

  • When we sat down with Nadhira Al Harthy for this episode in early October, we knew that we were going to discuss her journey to become the first Omani woman to summit Mount Everest. We also knew we’d discuss how she became the first Arab woman to climb Ama Dablam, one of the most beautiful and technical peaks in Nepal. 

    What we didn’t know, and as she announced on our show, is that she has become the first ever civilian woman to be embedded with Oman’s military mountaineering team where she is learning techniques to cope with treacherous terrains. At the time of release of this episode, her training had just begun and she expects this to be one her biggest challenges yet. We’re pretty sure that we were the first to hear about this, and now you are too! 

    In this episode, you’ll also hear how Nadhira started Mountaineering at the age of 42, inspired by her late mentor,  Khalid Al-Siyabi, the first Omani to summit Everest. We’ll chat through her childhood in remote Oman, how she came to find ultra-running having not even run 10km before and how all of this has led to a deep appreciation for the outdoors and has been a catalyst for her personal growth and achievement. 

    This is a heartwarming, inspiring, fun and funny chat that we know you’ll love as much as we did. 

    To find Nadhira online, please visit: https://nadhira-alharthy.com or on instagram at @alharthynoor. 

    If you've been enjoying our content and finding value in our discussions, please take a quick moment to show your support. Just hit the subscribe button wherever you are listening to us so that you never miss an episode.

    Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only - and follow @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. This really helps us in our commitment to bring you the best possible show and the most interesting guests. 

    Our wider support team for this episode includes Editor JJ Thompson and our Artwork is by the talented Alexandra Hickey of Studio Theodore. 

    We hope you enjoy the episode! 

    Dawn & Afshan 

  • Thanks for listening. As we mentioned, here are some resources and information below. 

    Remember, your voice matters!

    🇵🇸 Relief Efforts 

    Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF)- https://www.pcrf.netEmirates Red Crescent - https://www.emiratesrc.aeInternational Committee of the Red Cross - https://www.icrc.org/en 

    Share Your voice, If you live in Canada, Australia, the UK or the US, please find below links to help contact your elected representatives: 

    🇨🇦 📝Canada -  Independent Jewish Voices Canada (IJV) 🇦🇺 📝Australia - Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN)  🇺🇸 📝United States - Jewish Voices for Peace 🇬🇧 📝United Kingdom - Muslim Council of Britain 

    🇵🇸 Independent Journalists on the ground in Gaza: 

    Motaz Azisza - @Motaz_Azisza  Plestia Alaqad -@ByPlestiaWissam Nassar @WissamGaza Ahmed Eldin @ahmedeldin

    Independent News Organisations & NGOs to follow: 

    @theimeu@middleeasteye@jewishvoiceforpeaceThe Ireland Palestine Alliance 

    🎙️ Podcast: 

     The Inside Story Podcast by Al Jazeera This is Palestine - The Institute of Middle East Understanding 

    Sports Organisations & Groups: 

    The Gaza Sunbirds (@GazaSunBirds) - a paracycling team from the Gaza Strip Gaza Skate Team (@gaza_skate_team) - a skateboarding team from Gaza City Skate Pal (@skate_pal) - a charity organisation supporting young people in Palestine through...