The Mettleset Podcast

The third edition of the Saudi Games concluded in October 2024, leaving a lasting legacy in the hearts and minds of those who took part.Some 9,000 local and expatriate athletes competed in 52 sporting disciplines, among them Elisa Grassi. The Italian expat, competing in her second Games, took gold in the women's road cycling event.Grassi, 28, is originally from northern Italy. A biomedical researcher by profession, she discovered a passion for cycling not at home, but after moving to Saudi Arabia in 2019.She says embracing cycling was the “best decision” of her life.In this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, Dawn talks to Grassi about her not one, but two Saudi Games gold medals. She shares her journey from biomedical research to cycling, the challenges she faced, and how her decision to embrace cycling led to her success. Elisa reflects on her second Saudi Games experience, where she clinched her second gold medal, and the strong support from her teammates and coach.This episode was originally published in October 2024.Find Saudi Games Gold Medalist, Elisa Grassi at (@greli_)

Today's episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance.

Today's episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance.

Today's episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance.

At just 10 years old, Atiqa Mir is one of the most exciting young names in global motorsport. The first Indian and Asian girl selected to the F1 Academy's Discover Your Drive program, she's already won at Le Mans and collected over 30 trophies. But her journey hasn't been easy.In this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, Atiqa opens up about overcoming bullying on and off the track, staying focused in a male-dominated sport, and how she's training — physically and mentally — to reach Formula 1. Her father, former national karting champion Asif Mir, joins to share the behind-the-scenes of raising a trailblazer.All this as momentum builds in the region: the Saudi Grand Prix just wrapped, Farah AlYousef made her F1 Academy debut, and Sebastian Vettel's Race 4 Women initiative is pushing the future of female motorsport forward.

In this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, we take you into the world of BASE jumping with two of the sport's top athletes, Katie Hansen and Cornelia Mihai. Fresh off their participation in EXIT 139—a historic two-day event where 31 jumpers from 15 countries completed an astonishing 437 jumps from the Burj Khalifa—they share what it means to take that leap, both physically and mentally.Beyond the spectacle, BASE jumping isn't just about adrenaline—it's about trust, presence, and embracing life at full intensity. In a short but sweet episode, Katie and Cornelia reflect on their experiences, the mindset behind the sport, and why it's not about being reckless, but about truly living.Links:

The UAE Tour Women (Feb 6-9) is the Middle East's first and only Women's WorldTour race, where the world's best cyclists battle it out over four intense stages covering 540km across the UAE's desert landscapes. In this special three-part series,In Episode 3 of our three part BTS series we celebrate UAE Team ADQ's incredible victory, with insights from key figures who made it happen:

Welcome to The Mettleset Podcast! This is Episode 2 of our special three-part series taking you behind the scenes at the UAE Tour Women—the Middle East's first and only Women's WorldTour race, held from February 6-9, 2025. I go BTS in Human Powered Health team's support car during Stage *, the final stage of the race. Riding alongside Communications Director Oscar Skarsbrook and Soigneur Jose Leite—also known as a swanny,the ultimate Swiss Army knife of a cycling team—I get an exclusive look at the inner workings of a pro cycling team on race day. In our support van chat, we discuss:

The UAE Tour Women is the Middle East's first and only Women's WorldTour event—where the best cyclists in the world battle it out across four days and 540km of intense racing in the UAE's desert landscapes. In this special three-part series The Mettleset takes you behind the scenes of the race (Feb 6-9). In Episode one of three, I speak with journalist Emma Cole, who has been covering the race for Cycling News. Recorded just ahead of the final stage, we discuss Emma's impressions of the event, the growth of women's cycling, and her own podcast, The Passion Stories Podcast.

Happy New Year! After a much-needed break, we're kicking off 2025 with a truly inspiring story. Host Dawn Barnable sits down with Jola Chudy, an ultra-runner and former luxury fashion editor who transformed her life to embrace adventure, resilience, and self-discovery. Jola's journey—from the glamorous fashion industry to conquering one of the toughest foot races in the world, the Marathon des Sables—reminds us all that it's never too late to pivot, dream big, and chase extraordinary goals.In this episode, Jola shares:

In this episode, we sit down with Martine Grael, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, World Champion, and Pan-American Games champion, who is now making history as the first female driver in SailGP. Martine is also leading the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team, the first-ever South American team to compete in the high-stakes SailGP Championship.We caught up with Martine in the team hangar in Dubai, just days before the season opener. During our conversation, Martine takes us on an inspiring journey:How her childhood on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro and growing up in a family of sailors shaped her passion for the sport.The setbacks she faced on her road to Olympic glory and how she used those moments to fuel her comeback.Insights from her experiences in the grueling Volvo Ocean Race and what it taught her about teamwork and perseverance.Her excitement and vision as she steps into her role as driver for the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team.Martine's story is one of resilience, determination, and trailblazing achievements.Follow Martine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinegrael/ Learn more about SailGP & Martine: https://sailgp.comhttps://sailgp.com/teams/mubadala-brazil/martine-grael If you've been enjoying our episodes, don't forget to show your support by hitting the subscribe/follow button wherever you're listening so you never miss an episode.We'd also love to hear from you! Leave us a 5-star review and follow @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Your support helps us continue bringing you incredible stories like Martine's!Dawn

In this episode, we dive into the triathlon journey of Hana AlNabulsi, a trailblazing triathlete on the UAE National Team. Hana made history as the youngest Emirati woman to ever compete in and complete a 70.3 Ironman race. She's also the first Emirati woman to qualify for the Asian Games in Triathlon.We caught up with Hana at the T100 World Tour Press Conference in Dubai, just ahead of the Tour's grand finale (16-17 Nov) During our conversation, Hana shares how a simple dare sparked her entry into the world of triathlon during the pandemic. She takes us through the unforgettable story of her first race, and with unexpected challenges and laser focus needed Hana also opens up about the mental resilience that drives her, her unwavering focus on her ultimate dream of representing the UAE in Triathlon at the next Olympics, and how she pushes herself to reach new heights in the sport. Follow Hana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trihanathon/ For more information on the T100 series: https://t100triathlon.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.Dawn

Published on Friday, November 8th, this is an episode packed with women's sports news from the Middle East and beyond as well as an interview with Saudi Arabia's first pro cyclist, Moroj Adil. Catch Moroj's first appearance on the podcast:

Get the latest on women's sports in the Middle East and beyond! This week we discuss:Egyptian Fencing Controversy - Egyptian Olympian Nada Hafez and her teammates speak out against age-based discrimination from the Egyptian Fencing Federation. More info: Nada Hafez's social media post Egyptian Fencing Federation ResponseECWR Statement on DiscriminationUAE Women's Jiu-Jitsu Triumph - UAE's female Jiu-Jitsu athletes shine at the World Championships, securing podium spots.Tennis - Ons Jabeur Returns! -The "Minister of Happiness" is back for the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open. Related Links: Get TicketsWTA Finals Debut in Riyadh - Saudi Arabia hosts its first professional women's tennis tournament, aiming to inspire the next generation.Related Links: WTA Finals TicketsBurj to Burj Half Marathon - Dubai's iconic race approaches gender parity, with a goal of reaching 50/50 participation!Related Links: http://burj2burj.com Be sure to follow us on @themettleset for more sports updates, culture, and conversation. Remember to like, follow, and subscribe. Got a news tip? Email us at hello@themettleset.com.

Published on Friday, October 25, this is an episode packed with women's sports news from the Middle East and beyond. No interview this week, but make sure to catch our last two episodes!

In this episode, we dive deep into the incredible journey of Saudi Arabian freediver Nada Al Rasheed. Nada shares her passion for the ocean and her remarkable achievements in the sport of freediving, including her recent participation in the CMAS World Championship for Freediving Depth in Greece.From her childhood experiences in Jeddah to becoming a multiple national record holder and Arab record holder, Nada discusses the various disciplines of freediving, the mental preparation required, and the personal growth she has experienced along the way. This episode is not just about athletic accomplishments; it's about finding oneself and overcoming challenges.Prepare to be inspired by Nada's dedication and the lessons she has learned throughout her journey.

The date is Friday, 18 October 2024 and women's sports news discussed on the podcast today include: ⛰️ Two GCC women completed the Explorer's Grand Slam this week:

The date is Friday, 11 October 2024 and women's sports news discussed on the podcast today include:

In this episode I'm joined by Sports Physiotherapist and New Balance Run Club Coach, Melissa Abbey, to break down everything you need to know about running—whether you're just starting, getting back into it, or aiming for bigger distances. Melissa, who's currently training for the New York Marathon, shares her expert insights into injury prevention, strength and conditioning, and how to make running enjoyable at any level.You'll also hear about Melissa's journey as a triathlete, her experience as a sports physiotherapist, and the exciting rollout of the New Balance Run Club across the region. Whether you're targeting your first 5K or planning to go ultra, this episode is packed with tips to help you run smart, stay injury-free, and find joy in the process.Key Topics Discussed: How to safely start or restart your running journey Tips for progressing from shorter distances to marathons and beyond Why a sports physiotherapist can be a key asset for runners Importance of strength and conditioning for injury prevention Nutrition, hydration, and recovery tips Overcoming the intimidation factor and just startingResources Mentioned in the EpisodeFollow Melissa @melissa_abbey_physio Exercises for strength and conditioning: Calf Raises Single Leg Exercises Sit to Stand Recommended running shoes: For Race Day: New Balance FuelCell Super Comp Elite For Every Day: New Balance 1080 Sign up for the New Balance Run Club: Dubai @nbrc_dubai - Sign Up Here Abu Dhabi @nbrc_abudhabi - Sign Up Here Doha @nbrc_doha - Sign Up Here Riyadh @

Hello, Welcome to our new format, featuring the news headlines for the week, centering women and women's stories! We hope you like this new format. The Mettleset is now two years old so a big thank you to everyone who has supported us, followed and engaged and liked our content, especially the athletes who have entrusted us to share their stories. More info on the news shared this week: The Saudi Games The Women's T20 Women's World CupThe ESeries announces DohaTeam Saudi at the World Freediving ChampionshipThe Sport Industry ForumOur interview this week is with Melissa Moncada, President of Pro Cycling Team, UAE Team ADQ: https://www.uaeteamadq.com Thanks for listening! Please like, follow, subscribe and share and for news tips, email us at hello@themettleset.com. Follow us @themettlesetDawn

In Part 2 of this special episode we continue exploring the transformative power of The Alpine Run Project (supported by Nike, JD Sports & Strava) and the incredible journeys it has enabled. In this episode, we hear firsthand from Eleana Matos and Nimrah Sohail, two inspiring young women who went from inner-city life to the French Alps as part of this trail running initiative. Their stories offer a deep look into how sport and nature have helped them discover their potential, redefine their futures, and build a sense of belonging and purpose.We're also joined by Darren Davis, John McAvoy's former prison officer, who shares his perspective on John's transformation and how his support and mentorship helped shape the foundation of the Alpine Run Project. Darren's unique role in John's life shows the profound impact one person can have on another's path to redemption and success.If you missed Part 1 with John McAvoy, make sure to listen for a deeper dive into his remarkable personal story and the origins of this project.Links & Resources:Learn more about The Alpine Run Project: https://www.ybb.agency/alpine-run-project Watch the ARP documentary on Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Streets-Peaks-Andy-Ashworth/dp/B0D4YT7S9B Follow John McAvoy on Instagram: @jonnymac83 Follow Eleana on Instagram: @eleana_runs Don't forget to follow @themettleset and please do leave us a review (five star only). I hope you enjoy the episode! Dawn

In this special two-part episode, we're diving deep into the incredible story of The Alpine Run Project—a transformative trail running initiative designed to empower young people from inner cities in the UK through nature, community, and sport.In this, Part 1 of 2, we chat with John McAvoy the founder of The Alpine Run Project and a Nike-sponsored athlete. John's own journey from a notorious armed robber to an endurance athlete is nothing short of remarkable. Having broken eight British and three World indoor rowing records while serving a double life sentence, John has transformed his life through the power of sport—and now, he's paying it forward.In this episode, John shares:His personal transformation story, including his time in prison and how he discovered his natural aptitude for endurance sports.What inspired him to start The Alpine Run Project and how it offers inner-city youth the opportunity to explore their potential through trail running.How the project, now in its second year, has grown with the support of Nike, JD Sports, and Strava—and how it's making a lasting impact on the young people involved.We also discuss the larger themes of this episode, including the transformative power of sport, the importance of mentorship, and the profound influence relationships can have on our lives. John's journey is proof that no matter how dire your circumstances, it's possible to rewrite your story.Make sure to tune in to Part 2, where I'll be talking to Elena and Nimrah, two incredible Alpine Run Project alumni, along with Darren Davis, the former prison officer who played an instrumental role in John's transformation and the creation of the project.Links & Resources:Learn more about The Alpine Run Project: https://www.ybb.agency/alpine-run-project Watch the ARP documentary on Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/Streets-Peaks-Andy-Ashworth/dp/B0D4YT7S9B Listen to more podcasts featuring John's story: The Rich Roll Podcast The High Performance PodcastFollow John McAvoy on Instagram: @jonnymac83 Don't forget to follow @themettleset and please do leave us a review (five star only). I hope you enjoy the episode! Dawn

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Noemi Romero, Spain's champion trampoline gymnast and first-time Olympian who recently competed at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. Noemi's story is a remarkable journey of resilience, hard work, and triumph.From discovering her passion for trampoline gymnastics at just six years old to making history as one of the first Spanish trampoline gymnasts to qualify for the Olympics since the sport's debut in 2000, Noemi shares her inspiring path. In our conversation, she opens up about the highs and lows of her nonlinear Olympic journey, the challenges of competing on the world stage, and what it truly feels like to soar through the air in a sport that requires both precision and mental strength.If you're in the United Arab Emirates, don't miss the chance to meet Noemi and the Spanish National Trampoline team in person. Until 19 September, you can participate in a masterclass in trampoline gymnastics at BOUNCE locations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Head to BOUNCE's website to book your spot and experience the thrill of this incredible sport firsthand.

Hello Everyone,Today's topic is a sport that some of you may or may not be familiar with: Pickleball. And my guest is none other than one of the world's top players, Megan Fudge. With roots in Europe, the American has had a meteoric rise in the sport, since she started it four years ago going from insurance advisor to now being ranked #1 in the world. I caught up with Megan in Dubai just prior to the Olympics at the launch of the Pickleball World Rankings (PWR), the PWR World Series and the PWR World Tour, which is an entirely new Pickleball ecosystem set to launch next year. In my chat with Megan, we discuss what Pickleball is and how it's not in competition with Padel, life as an elite Pickleball athlete, the expansion of the sport and who she'd most like to play with. About the Pickleball World Rankings - https://pwr.global The new ecosystem comprises a few elements, each working together to promote excellence in the profession: Pickleball World Rankings: PWR is a unified global ranking system that allows a defined path for pickleball players to earn points and improve their rankings. It will enable players to accumulate points and qualify for the PWR World Series through the PWR World Tour in different regions. Different tiers of PWR events - PWR100, PWR 200, PWR 400, PWR700, PWR1000 and PWR2000 - are similar to ATP and WTA tournaments in tennis.PWR World Series: Similar to the Grand Slam events in tennis, these marquee events will begin in March 2025, with six major tournaments, including one in the GCC region. In the first year, the PWR World Series will comprise 64 players in the individual format and six teams of four players each, from the US and the rest of the world.PWR World Tour: This consists of various tours worldwide where players compete to earn PWR points and qualify for the PWR World Series. Examples include the PWR CPA Pro Tour and the PWR China Collegiate Pickleball Tour. Find Pickleball in Dubai: https://www.touchtennissportsclub.com/pickleballhttps://www.dubaisportsworld.ae/sports/pickleball/https://urbanplayground.ae/pickleball/Find Megan Fudge Online: https://www.instagram.com/officialmeganfudge Don't forget to follow @themettleset and please do leave us a review (five star only). I hope you enjoy the episode! Dawn

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.

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 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

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:

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:

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:

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 @themettlesetDawn

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.comFor more info, visit www.themettleset.com , and follow us on @themettlesetDawn@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:

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_azzawiBaghdad Skate Girls can be followed on @baghdadskategirlsTo 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/enIf 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_azzawiBaghdad Skate Girls can be followed on @baghdadskategirlsTo 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:

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 @dxbhorsesFor 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

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: @itsamenahalmuhairiFor 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 @uaewsfIf 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.

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!

Hi Guys,Our show today is as power-packed as our guest when the gun goes off on a run track.Aziza Sbaity, who has earned the title of the Fastest Woman in Lebanese History, joined us for a chat right after her first track and field training session of the season - as she starts her prep to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.Aziza has come out of a very busy first half of the year, winning gold in the 200m sprint at the West Asian Athletics Championships in April, at the Arab Athletics Championship in June, and a silver in the 100m in that race. That's not all, she also broke the 100m sprint national record in May – for the SIXTH time - doing the dash in an impressive 11.54 secs.But it was her performance at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships that left her with a deep introspection, respect for her body and maturity as an athlete – all of which we'll get into on the show.Aziza tells us about her move from Liberia to Lebanon at 10, and how being a Lebanese with mixed heritage shaped her childhood, and her views on identity and representation as an athlete.We discuss what it takes to be an Olympic hopeful in a highly competitive landscape and how, despite the challenges of resources and athlete support, there's a will to grow access to sports for everyone in Lebanon. It's also one of the reasons Aziza continues to give back through her community initiatives. One of them has been her constant collaboration with the Beirut Marathon Association, which has been spearheading the growth of the running community in the country. For those of you who have been following us for a while may remember that I did the Beirut International Marathon, my first one - last year. You'll hear more about the association's impact in the episode, and we'll got links below to our previous episodes on the association. For us, this chat also turned into a guide to mastering the mind with Japanese concepts of self-reflection and how elite athletes can navigate the pressures of expectations. Dawn and I are keenly following Aziza's journey and many endeavors in sports, and you can too by following her on @azizasbaity on Instagram. To listen to our coverage on the Beirut International Marathon:

Today's guest is one of the next generation of Saudi Arabian sports leaders. Jude Jamjoon is the Co-Founder and President of Jeddah Tribe and to call this a Tri Club, would be accurate but it would miss the fact that it is also an event series and really at its core, a robust community that offers training, mentorship, support & encouragement for triathletes of all levels, including those who are yet to become triathletes. This episode is about the power of community or tribe as it were. As you'll hear, Jude shares with us her own story of triathlon - which remarkably started in 2018 - and how she was supported by a tribe of people that included her family, friends and sometimes surprisingly, complete strangers. Since recording this episode, Jude was recognised with a 2023 World Triathlon Women's Committee Award of Excellence. We're sharing some links so you too, can check out further info on Jeddah Tribe and Triathlon in Saudi Arabia, as well as some of our former podcast guests mentioned in this episode. More info & links:

Hi guys, Our guest today is from Morocco, a country that was recently rocked by a devastating earthquake. We would like to take a moment to acknowledge the loss that Morocco has experienced and our thoughts are with its people during this difficult time. We've also linked some global aid initiatives that you can support below. Back to today's guest and an honest unveiling of the hustle behind the glamour of professional golf. Moroccan golfer Maha Haddioui made headlines when she became the first Arab to gain playing privileges on the Ladies European Tour 10 years back. It's an honour that has gone on to inspire many more women from the region to dream of a career in golf.But beyond the headlines, getting there - and staying there - is no easy feat. Being one of the toughest individual sports, the odds of becoming a pro golfer are between 0.4% down to 0.006%. Add to that being a woman in the sport, and the challenges of fewer tournaments, a much smaller prize purse and pool of sponsors, and lack of visibility can make this a career that needs a Plan B. But Maha took a gamble on herself, getting the LET tour card and then going to the Olympics twice - in 2016 Brazil and 2021 Tokyo - the latter being the highlight of her career as she scored a hole-in-one. We found a clip of the EPIC shot HERE. In this episode, we discuss Maha's journey into golf and the immense joy it brings her, but we also chat about the mental fortitude and discipline required to keep going in the game. We discuss strategies to keep your cool through frustrating shots and the power of visualisation for wins. Maha also shares her insights on the changing face of golf and major moves to elevate the women's game by countries in the region. To follow Maha Haddioui, head to @mahahaddioui To know more about the Ladies European Tour, visit ladieseuropeantour.comFollow updates from the Saudi Aramco Team Series by visiting aramcoteamseries.com To support aid Initiatives for Morocco, head to:Moroccan Red Crescent SocietyGlobal Giving Unicef 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

Today's guest is from one of the flattest countries in the world, Bahrain. In fact, the highest point in the entire country is only 134m above sea level and that's not even open to the public. Why is that relevant you may ask? Well, our guest today just completed what is widely considered the hardest ultramarathon in the world, UTMB. For those who don't know UTMB stands for the Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc, a 171 km trail race with 10,000m of elevation - all with a time limit of 46 hours and 30 minutes. Fatema Husain is the first Bahraini National - woman or man to complete this race and she is here to tell us all about it. This year UTMB started on Friday, 1st of September at 6pm and as it always does, it traversed the Tour Du Mont Blanc hiking path across France, Italy & Switzerland. All starting and ending in Chamonix with the magnificent Mont Blanc as the backdrop to the start and finish line. What's more remarkable is that Fatema once didn't consider herself a runner, in fact it took her a year and a half to build up to running 3 km on a treadmill. Fatema is determination embodied and our chat with her has already given us some ideas about taking on the Tour Du Mont Blanc ourselves. In today's episode we chat with Fatema about how she went from having very little physical activity in her day-to-day life to completing what many consider the pinnacle of the ultra running race calendar. We chat through how she built up her endurance over the past ten years from running to running ultras. Her cycling career - yes, she is also a Bahraini National cycling champ… and the day-by-day of UTMB, including the support she got along the way, racing against cut off times and making peace with pain. We also hear what it felt like carrying the Bahraini flag over the UTMB finish line for the first time ever. For more information on UTMB visit: https://utmb.worldTo follow Fatema Husain on Instagram, follow @FateMoves We were also delighted to see the celebration and acknowledgement that Fatema has received since arriving home. For more information check out the Bahrain News Agency article here. Our wider support team for this episode includes Editor JJ Thompson and our Artwork is by the talented Alexandra Hickey of Studio Theodore. Find us on @themettleset We hope you enjoy the episode! Dawn & Afshan

Hello Dawn here, I hope you're all doing well. Summer 2023 is over and well, mine was EPIC with not one, but two adventures involving bikes. Today's episode is all about bikepacking in South Korea, more specifically, the 4 Rivers BIke Path in South Korea: approx 600 km of mostly car-free, dedicated bike paths extending from the Capital city, Seoul, to the southern sea-side city of Busan. I did this in four and a half days in early July. In today's episode, Afshan and I chatted through what Bikepacking in Korea was like. The good, bad and the questionable hotels. As you'll hear or may discover if you are now looking for information on the 4 Rivers Bike Path, it may be a little disjointed or hard to find so I'm sharing some resources below that may be helpful. The Four Rivers Trail - Full Ride with GPS Map This is the file that I used. Just a note that this file goes a little beyond the official end of the path as I learned. Keep an eye out for the KWater center at the end. My Day by Day Strava Segments My strava segments are below and will take you each night to a hotel if you want to recreate the full experience. :) Day 1 - https://www.strava.com/activities/9392400708Day 2 - https://www.strava.com/activities/9398669925 Day 3 - https://www.strava.com/activities/9403583994 Day 4 - https://www.strava.com/activities/9410403128 Day 5 - https://www.strava.com/activities/9415692577 NAVER As noted in the episode, Google maps does not work in Korea, nor really does booking.com so Naver is your go-to for navigation when you need to go off piste from the GPX route to find hotels and/or food. Naver also outlines bike paths so will get you back on the Four Rivers Path easily. I would recommend buying a cell phone holder for your handlebars so you can easily navigate with Naver as and when you need it. Additional Ultra Cycling EpisodesIf a timed bikepacking adventure is your jam: Episode 1 - How I went from Zero to Ultra in (a little over) 3 months Episode 16 - So you want to be an ultra-cyclist? Coach Niel Copeland chats about just exactly what it takes Episode 16a - Ultra-Eating - Coach Niel Copeland chats race nutrition Episode 24 - The Women of Race Around Rwanda - PT 1 Episode 25 - The Women of Race...

Hi Guys - Afshan hereDawn and I are enjoying a summer away from our adopted home Dubai, but are always thinking about you, our listeners, and how we can bring you the most diverse and relatable chats with athletes from the region and beyond.If you've arrived at our show for the first time - welcome, there's a lot of amazing content to go through, and hit that like and subscribe button for future updates and episodes. If you've been following us for a while, you're always in good company. Keep listening and loving, as always. Please also follow us on our social @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn . Dawn introduced our summer series in the last episode, dedicated to the Beginner Mindset which, undoubtedly, will take anyone listening down memory lane.I vividly remember mine was a 90km undulating gradient bike race in the Liwa desert, in the far-flung western region of the UAE, just two months after learning how to ride a bike in 2020, having missed that milestone as a child.Unshackled from any pressure of time, power or performance, and unknown in the strava -sphere, the goal was to keep pedalling and be in the moment, enjoy it. And no matter how the race goes, the outcome would lead to growth - personal and athletic.Ultra-cyclists who Dawn interviews in this EP41:

Hi, Dawn here,I hope you are having a wonderful summer. Before I get into this episode, we want to remind you that we now have a YouTube channel. Expect video episodes - live right now- and new and fun types of content. Please subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@themettleset So back to this episode. This is the start of a new series which is dedicated to the Beginner Mindset. If you've been following along you'll know that throughout the podcast, we've had the opportunity to talk with so many amazing women - and men - about achieving some VERY big goals. We hope that you find our guests as relatable as we do, and keeping in this spirit, we wanted to share athletes speaking about their very first race or major sports challenge… be it in ultra-cycling, ultra-running, triathlon or even mountaineering. We wanted to do this to highlight that we all start somewhere and reinforce that there is beauty in the Beginner's Mindset. Today, we focus on self-supported ultra-cycling and you'll hear from Evelyn Weiss, Ella Barlow and Chris Thomas, as each shares their experience in their very first race. Find the athletes and the races they talk about below: Evelyn Weiss (@cyclingneve) discusses the 1,000km/10,000m NorthRace WestPhalia in Germany Ella Barlow (@ellabeebikes) discusses the 1,000km/12,000m BikingMan Portugal in Portugal Chris Thomas (@zemountaingoat) discusses the 330km /8,300m Le Tour Du Mont Blanc which spans France, Switzerland and Italy In this episode you'll hear about: their sporting background; their chosen first race; how and why they did it; the preparation for the race; what was going through their mind on the startline; the hardest part of the race & the highlight of the race; what the experience taught them; and and what advice they'd give to others thinking of taking on a self-supported ultra cycling race. Our wider support team for this episode includes Editor JJ Thompson and our Artwork is by the talented Alexandra Hickey of Studio Theodore.For more info, visit www.themettleset.com , and follow us on @themettlesetWe hope you enjoy! Dawn & Afshan @dawnable @afshahmed