The Mettleset Podcast
The Mettleset Podcast shares stories of tenacity, courage, and mettle from athletes in the Middle East and beyond. Hosted by Dawn Barnable, it covers women's sports, motorsports, adventure, action, and ultra-endurance sports. Each episode features interviews with record-breaking athletes, world-class explorers, and community sports leaders. The podcast aims to highlight underreported sports stories from the region.
Episodes
114. "Losing is Never the End" - 🇹🇳 Dr. Sarra Lajnef-Taylor, Olympian & 5x Guinness World Record Holder
Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance and Dr.stretch. Dr Sarra Lajnef-Taylor made history as the first Tunisian woman to qualify for the Olympics in swimming, competing at London 2012. Since then, she's refused to be defined by one sport, becoming a six-time FINA Masters World Champion, a five-time Guinness World Record holder, a UAE rowing champion, and a medal
113. "Riyadh Is The New NYC" — Jay3lle Founder Johan Lindeberg on Intuition, Community and Changing Golf from Saudi Arabia
This episode is brought to you by New Balance and Dr.stretch. What does it take to see something others don't?In this episode, host Dawn Barnable sits down with visionary designer, entrepreneur and brand builder Johan Lindeberg, whose influence has shaped the worlds of fashion, sport and culture for more than three decades.From helping build Diesel into a global phenomenon to redefining golf style
112. “Go For It”: The UAE’s First Pro Female MMA Fighter - Zamzam Al Hammadi & PFL MENA GM Jerome Mazet
This episode is brought to you by Dr.stretch and New Balance.At just 18 years old, Zamzam Al Hammadi is already making history. The Emirati athlete is set to become the first Emirati woman to compete for a major regional MMA promotion when she steps into the cage at PFL MENA: Pride of Arabia in Dubai on May 24.In this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, we sit down with Zamzam ahead of her professio
111. “We Don’t Stop. I Don’t Give Up.” – Lebanese Triathlete Lindzi Nader on Samla, suffering, and staying in the race
Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟Lindzi Nader has built her career in triathlon the hard way, without infrastructure, without consistent funding, and often against the realities of living and training in Lebanon.But what she does have is consistency. And resilience.We sat down with one of Lebanon’s leading triathletes to talk about what it really takes to
110. “When It’s Easy, I Find It Boring” - Pro Golfer Carlota Ciganda Live From the Aramco Championship, Las Vegas
This episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New BalanceRecorded at the Aramco Championship, part of the PIF Global Series at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, this episode features one of the most consistent and respected players in the game, Carlota Ciganda.With 11 professional wins across the LPGA and LET, two Solheim Cup wins and seven appearances, and over 15 years on tour, Carlota sha
109. “Go Get the Milk. Then Get the Bread.” — UAE Swimmer Maha AlShehhi’s Olympic Mindset
Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance What do you do when you get a call telling you you're going to the Olympics… with six weeks to go?For 18-year-old Emirati swimmer Maha Alshehhi, you put your head down, block out the noise, and mentally break a 200m freestyle into a ‘grocery run’.Host Dawn Barnable sat down with Maha to trace her journey from beach fun to th
108. “Golf Is a Crazy Sport”: Marianne Skarpnord on Life on Tour and the Evolution of Women’s Golf
Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟What does life really look like after more than two decades competing at the highest level of professional golf?Recorded live in Riyadh at the PIF Saudi Ladies International, host Dawn Barnable sits down with Ladies European Tour veteran Marianne Skarpnord to talk about life on tour, the evolution of women’s golf, and what
107. Muni "Lily" He at the PIF Saudi Ladies International - On Golf, the Grind & Why She Loves F1 Academy
Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟How does one of the most followed golfers on the planet handle the grind golf is known for when her life looks like a permanent highlight reel?To kick off 2026, The Mettleset was live from Riyadh at the PIF Saudi Ladies International. Host Dawn Barnable sits down with LPGA star Muni “Lily” He to talk about the reality of li
106. “Do It Scared” - 🪂 Olga Naumova, Guinness World Record breaking skydiver, ultra runner & fitness coach
Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟Ever wondered what it feels like to sky surf over Mount Everest or leap from 21,000 feet with nothing but a parachute and your courage? On this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, Olga Naumova - Guinness World Record skydiver, ultra runner, and fitness coach - shares the highs, the fear, and the mental grit that keep her push
105. Maryam Al Farsi - A Rising UAE Star On Stepping Onto Sport’s Biggest Stage
Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟Happy Eid Al Etihad! 🇦🇪Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast takes us trackside with Maryam Al Farsi, one of the UAE’s youngest Olympians. From picking up sprinting just five years ago to running the 100m at Paris 2024, Maryam’s journey is full of grit, laughs, and a few moments that will make you feel like you’re right
104. 🇵🇭🇦🇪 Bowling, Belonging, and UAE Pride with Sarah Ociones 🎳
Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟Today, we roll into a story about community, connection, and a love of the game. 🎳In collaboration with Zayed Sports City, we spotlight the athletes and grassroots groups shaping Abu Dhabi’s women’s and community sports scene. And there’s no better example than the Abu Dhabi Filipino Bowling Club, more than a league for nea
103. Women in Sport Myth-Busting with Dr. Mariana Kessler
Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟One of the biggest myths in sport?That women experience stress more intensely than men, and cope less effectively.In this episode recorded live at the Emirates Sports Medicine Conference, sports psychologist and researcher Dr. Mariana Kessler breaks down why that long-held belief simply isn’t true. Drawing from years o
102. Avoiding the RED-S Card - Dr. Margo Mountjoy on Energy, Health & Equity in Sport
Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟This week, we’re joined by Dr. Margo Mountjoy, sports physician, clinical professor at McMaster University, and one of the world’s leading experts on RED‑S - Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport.Recorded live at the Emirates Sports Medicine Conference, Dr. Mountjoy breaks down what RED‑S really means, how it affects both wom
101. “Work Hard and Luck Will Chase You” - Nourelhoda Arafa, Egyptian national rower and The Mettleset’s very own on the road to LA28
Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟This week, we’re turning the mic inward to one of our own, Nourelhoda Arafa, Egyptian national rower and record holder, and Olympic hopeful.At 13, she picked up rowing for the first time. By 15, she was chasing Olympic dreams. Then came a sudden stop, no boats, no water, no access. For seven years, Nourelhoda couldn’t row o
100. "Treat it like a business, not a charity” - Alexis Ohanian on Women’s Sports, Live from the Sport Industry Forum
Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟We’re taking you straight to Abu Dhabi for a conversation that had everyone talking.Recorded live at the Sport Industry Forum 2025 (October 1–2, Yas Marina Circuit), this special episode features Alexis Ohanian - entrepreneur, investor, and, as we like to call him, women’s sport’s biggest hype man - in conversation with Chr
99.2 The GCC at UTMB: Karis M Brown Shares Her Story - Part 2
Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟In this episode, we head back to Chamonix for Part 2 of our UTMB special with Karis Miriam Brown, former lawyer, podium-finishing ultra trail runner, and certified coach.This summer, Karis lined up at the CCC 100K, one of UTMB’s toughest races. Her journey is raw and real: battling a meniscus tear, reshaping expectations mi
99.1 The GCC at UTMB: Ivana Kolaric, Fatema Husain & Sharifah AlQattan Share Their Stories - Part 1
Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟In this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, we dive into UTMB – Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc, one of the world’s most iconic trail running festivals.We sat down with three remarkable women from the region who took on the UTMB World Series Finals, sharing their journeys of pushing limits, chasing personal bests, and soaking in th
98. ⚽ Maria Khan 🇵🇰 : From Backup Keeper to Pro Footballer at 32
Join us as we chat with Maria Khan, captain of the Pakistan women’s football team, about her incredible journey from an early love of football (or soccer) as a kid in the U.S. to signing her first professional contract at 32 in Saudi Arabia. Maria opens up about the influence of her sporting family legacy, the lessons learned as a Division 1 backup goalkeeper, and the moment she rediscovered
97. 🇦🇪 Emirati Women’s Day - Celebrating Incredible Emirati Women in Sport
Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟At The Mettleset, we exist to celebrate and empower women in sport, and what better occasion than Emirati Women’s Day to spotlight six incredible athletes who embody courage, resilience, and pride.In this special episode, you’ll hear their journeys: the struggles, the triumphs, and the moments that make them proud to be Emi
96. 🏊♀️🚴♀️🏃♀️How to Train for a Triathlon as an Experienced Athlete, with Coach Melina Timson-Katchis - Part 2
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance 👟We’re closing out our Summer Series with Melina Timson-Katchis, triathlete and coach, sharing expert advice for experienced athletes stepping into triathlon.In this episode, Melina dives into the key lessons for transferring your existing athletic skills to triathlon: why the swim is often underestimated, why triathlon should be tr
95. 🏊♀️🚴♀️🏃♀️How to Train for Your First Triathlon, with Coach Melina Timson-Katchis - Part 1
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance 👟Ever thought about doing a triathlon but didn’t know where to start? In part one of this two-part series, Melina Timson-Katchis, long distance swimmer, triathlete and coach, shares her journey from signing up for a full Ironman on a whim to racing all over the world. Now, she’s helping others step into the sport she loves.In this e
94. 👟 How to Run Part 2: From 5K to Ultra with New Balance Run Club Coach Dr. Sara Talia (Summer Series)
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟Welcome back to The Mettleset Podcast! In Part 2 of our running episode for the Summer Series, we're pushing past the 5K and exploring the incredible world of long-distance and ultra running with Dr. Sara Talia, a family medicine doctor and New Balance Run Club Doha Coach. Dr Sara kicks off by sharing why ultra running is as
93. 👟 How to Run: From Zero to 5K with New Balance Run Club Coach Dr. Sara Talia (Summer Series)
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟Welcome back to The Mettleset Podcast!For our Summer Series, we're helping you jump into a new sport, and this week, we're leaping into the world of running. And who better to guide us from zero to 5K than the incredible Dr. Sara Talia. She's not just a family medicine doctor; she's also a New Balance Run Club Coach in Doha
92. 🐠 What the Ocean Teaches Us: Freediving, Wildlife, and Conservation with Saudi Record-Breaking Freediver Nada Alrasheed - Part Two (Summer Series)
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance 👟We’re back with Saudi record-holding freediver Nada Alrasheed for Part 2 of our Summer Series deep dive exploring not just how to freedive, but why the ocean is worth protecting.Nada takes us through some of her most unforgettable underwater moments from growing up by the vibrant reefs of the Red Sea to diving in the icy waters of
91. 🧜🏼♀️ How to Freedive with Saudi record-breaking freediver Nada Alrasheed (Summer Series)
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance 👟In this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, we’re diving into the world of freediving with Saudi record-holder and instructor, Nada Alrasheed as part of our Summer Series focused on helping more women try new sports.Nada holds multiple national records and an Arab women’s record for reaching 65 meters in the constant weight bifin cat
90. 🏃♀️ How to HYROX with Jess Towl, One of the World’s Best (Summer Series)
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance 👟In this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, we kick off our Summer Series - a special “How To” series focused on giving you the tools, info and inspo to get started in a new sport. From running your first 5k to training for a Triathlon, to going deep into the world of freediving, we’re sharing real advice, inspiring journeys, and exp
89. 🏈 'Innovation is the Baseline' with San Francisco 49ers' SVP Marketing, Stephanie Rogers
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟In this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, we’re joined by Stephanie Rogers, Executive Vice President of Marketing for the San Francisco 49ers, one of the NFL’s most storied and valuable franchises.Stephanie takes us inside the 49ers’ global brand strategy, sharing how a legacy team balances tradition with forward-thinking in
88. 🇦🇪 🚵🏽♀️ SEEKALL: Off-road dreams with the UAE’s only women-led gravel cycling community
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟In this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, host Dawn Barnable heads off-road with two riders helping shape the future of cycling in the UAE.Emirati gravel cyclist Rawdha Alfalasi has created something quietly radical: Seek.All, a new women-led cycling group dedicated to building confidence, connection, and community - one tra
87. 🏀 From Delulu to Deal Maker: Stacey Leawood’s Path to Becoming the NBA's Youngest Player Agent
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟In this inspiring episode, we chat with Stacey Leawood, who just a few years ago, made headlines as the world’s youngest NBA player agent. who made a remarkable leap from small-town Newfoundland to managing athletes in the world’s top basketball league. Stacey takes us on her incredible journey of perseverance, self-belief (or del
86. 🚲 ‘I got it from Saudi’ - Cyclist Elisa Grassi on winning more than medals at the Saudi Games (Rewind)
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟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
85. 🗞️'Being a woman in sport is my superpower' -Journalist Reem Abulleil on sport, storytelling and finding your superpower (Rewind)
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟** Originally aired 27 May, 2024 and worth a (re)listen**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
84. 🇸🇦 ⚽ The Saudi Women’s Football Episode with the Legendary Monika Staab
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟In this episode, host Dawn Barnable is joined by Monika Staab, a true pioneer in women’s football, to discuss the incredible journey of developing women’s football in Saudi Arabia. Recorded late last year, Monika reflects on her incredible role as the technical director for the Saudi women’s national football program, a role she h
83. 🏁 Aliyyah Koloc on Rally, Records, Determination, and the Dakar 🇸🇨🇨🇿🇦🇪
Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟In this episode, host Dawn Barnable sits down with motorsport athlete Aliyyah Koloc, who has already made racing history, and she’s only just getting started.Born and raised in Dubai, Aliyyah became the youngest-ever competitor in the Dakar Rally at just 18 - but before that, she had already secured two truck racing speed records.
82. 🏎️ From Karting to F1 Academy: 10-Year-Old Atiqa Mir is a Champion of the Future
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 i
81. 🪂 High On Life: EXIT 139 - BASE Jumping from the Burj Khalifa with Katie Hansen & Cornelia Mihai
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 s
80. 🚴♀️ BTS at the UAE Tour Women 🇦🇪 UAE Team ADQ’s Historic Victory- Elisa Longo Borghini, Silvia Persico, Cherie Pridham & Melissa Moncada - EP3 of 3
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:🚲 Melissa
79. 🚲 BTS on the UAE Tour Women 🇦🇪 Live from Human Powered Health's Support Car - EP 2 of 3
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 S
78. 🚴♀️ BTS at the UAE Tour Women 🇦🇪 Inside the Race with Journalist Emma Cole - EP 1 of 3
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 ra
77. 🦄 Embracing Change: Jola Chudy's path to Marathon des Sables
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 Sab
76. ⛵SailGP's First Female Driver, Martine Grael 🇧🇷 on Olympic Gold, Teamwork, and the Task at Hand
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 Duba
75. Dared to Tri: A chat with Hana Al Nabulsi 🇦🇪 Team UAE Triathlete
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
74. Women’s Sports News This Week 🏉 🎾🤺 & an Interview with Moroj Adil, Saudi’s First Pro Cyclist 🇸🇦
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: 🎙️ EP. 61 - The Mettleset Podcast with Moroj Adil This week we discuss:🏉 Dubai Rugby Sevens: November 30 - December 1. Olympic medalists New Zealand,
73. Women's Sports News This Week 🤺🥋🎾 🏃🏽♀️Egyptian Fencers Speak Up, UAE Jiu-Jitsu, WTA & the Burj2Burj
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’
72. Women's Sports News This Week 🏎️ 🏏🏂 & The Saudi Games By the Numbers
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!🚲 Episode 70: Interview with two-time Saudi Games Gold Medalist, cyclist Elisa Grassi.🤿 Episode 71: Journey with Nada AlRasheed, who just set three national records and an Arab women’s record in freediving.Follow u
EP71: A Deep Journey 🌊🤿 Record-Breaking Freediver Nada Alrasheed 🇸🇦 on Passion and Patience
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
EP70: Women's Sports News This Week ⛰️🏁🤺 & A Chat With 🇸🇦 Saudi Games Gold Medalist Elisa Grassi
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: 🇶🇦 @atalthani🇵🇹 @mariatrugrit🏉 Women’s Rugby: Spain took home the WXV3 Championship Title after defeating Fiji at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai last weekend: https://www.world.rugby/wxv/ https://www.thesevensstadium.
EP69: Women's Sports News This Week 🐪 🏁 🏉 Camel Racing, Rally, Football, Rugby & More
The date is Friday, 11 October 2024 and women’s sports news discussed on the podcast today include: 🐪 The C1 Championship, the world's first all-women camel racing series: https://adcrc.me/c1-championship/ 🎙️ To listen to our chat with founder Linda Krockenberger: https://open.spotify.com/episode/35PULNn8MBmCzveatxLtQW?si=ac5b588068bb4b2a 🏁 Saudi rally driver Yosra Jazzar defends he
EP68: The Ultimate Running Guide: From 5K to Marathon with Physiotherapist & New Balance Coach Melissa Abbey
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 runni
EP67: Women’s Sports News This Week 🇸🇦🏏 🤿 + a Chat with UAE Team ADQ President, Melissa Moncada at Sport Industry Forum
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 w
EP66.2: From the Streets to the Peaks: Alpine Run Project Alumni Eleana & Nimrah + Darren Davis - Part 2
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
EP.66.1 From Prison to Purpose: John McAvoy’s Alpine Run Project 🏔️ - Part 1
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
EP65: 🇪🇸 Soaring to Paris: 🤸🏻♀️Trampoline Gymnast Noemi Romero’s Olympic Journey
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
EP64. 🏓 Pickleball’s top player Megan Fudge’s Meteoric Rise, Recorded Live from the Launch of the Pickleball World Rankings
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 Duba
EP63. 🛹 Skate and Have Fun 🇮🇳 India's skateboarding star Zarah Ann Gladys' Olympic dreams and ‘have fun’ philosophy
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 Sk
62. 🗞️ 🎙️ Sports journalist Reem Abulleil on storytelling, the regional stars of sport and finding your super-power
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 wr
EP61. 🚲 Saudi's first pro-cyclist Moroj Adil 🇸🇦 on self-belief and her road to the Liv AlUla Jayco Continental Team
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
EP60: Women of Wisdom - IWD 2024, the fourth in a series
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 amaz
EP59: Women of Wisdom - IWD 2024, the third in a series
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 amazi
EP58: Women of Wisdom - IWD 2024, the second in a series
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 wisd
EP57 Women of Wisdom - IWD 2024, the first in a series
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
EP56 REWIND- Pt 2 of 2 - 🩺 Dr Kate Jordan is demystifying female athlete health and well-being
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 perfor
EP55 REWIND - Pt 1 of 2 - 🩺 Dr Kate Jordan is demystifying female athlete health and well-being
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 i
EP54: 🎾 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open insider Vickie Gunnarsson shares her journey on and off the court
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
EP53 Pt 2: 🇮🇶🤼♀️ Iraqi jiu-jitsu gold medallist Ishtar Izzawi on finding her flow through jiu-jitsu
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 ji
EP53 Pt 1: Rolling Revolution: 🇮🇶🛹 Baghdad Skate Girls Founder Ishtar Azzawi on shaping a new horizon for women through skateboarding
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 co
EP52: Sumud: 🇵🇸🕊️🚲 The Story of Para-Cycling Team the Gaza Sunbirds
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
EP51: 🏇🏼🇦🇪 Hoofbeats and Harmony: Dressage athlete Natalie Lankester on the promising trajectory of dressage in the UAE and performance in the 2023 Asian Games
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 dressag
🎙️ We have news... 🚲
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
EP50 Pt 1: Moonshot: 🌙 🇦🇪 🏂🏾 UAE Snowboarder Amenah Al Muhairi & Mum Maya on dreams, dream teams and being the first to represent the UAE in snowboarding
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,
EP50 Pt 2: Moonshot 🌙 🇦🇪 🏂🏾: UAE Snowboarder Amenah Al Muhairi & Mum Maya on community and sponsor support and chasing Olympic dreams
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 futur
EP49:⛵Making Waves 🌊: Sailing legend Hannah Mills, OBE 🇬🇧 on Sail GP, realising your dreams and powering purpose
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
EP48:🇴🇲 🧗🏽♀️Why not?! The first Omani woman to summit Everest, Nadhira Al Harthy on stepping outside your comfort zone and transforming your life
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 bec
🍉 This is not an episode but a message from us to you
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, pleas
EP47: The fast track:🏃🏽♀️ 🇱🇧 Fastest Woman in Lebanese History, Aziza Sbaity, on uncovering identity and purpose through sprinting
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
EP46: Me to We: 🇸🇦 Next Gen Saudi Sports Leader, Jeddah Tribe’s Jude Jamjoon on how triathlon helped her find her tribe
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
EP45: 🇲🇦🏌🏽♀️The Long Game: Maha Haddioui, the first Arab golfer on the Ladies European Tour, on the mental fortitude required to stay on top in the sport
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 b
EP44: 🏔️ 🏃🏽♀️🇧🇭 Move Mountains: Fatema Husain on UTMB and being the first Bahraini - and GCC national woman - to complete the world's toughest ultramarathon
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
EP43: 🇰🇷 🚴🏻♀️ K-Bikepacking: Exploring South Korea’s 600km Four Rivers Path in four (and a half) days
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
EP42: 🏊🏼♀️🚴🏾♀️🏃🏻 Triathletes & the Beginner's Mindset: Four triathletes recount their first ever start line experience in the sport
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 u
EP41: 🚴♀️🚴♀️🚴♂️ Ultra-Cycling & the Beginner’s Mindset: Three Ultra-Cyclists share their first race experience
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 b
