• EP 97 : Dr. Nas - Beyond the Prescription: Rethinking What Wellness Really Means
    Sep 7 2025

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    What if everything you thought you knew about healthcare was just scratching the surface? Dr. Nas takes us on a remarkable journey from traditional medicine to functional wellness, revealing why conventional healthcare often falls short of truly optimizing health.

    Growing up in a family of Iraqi immigrant doctors in the UK, Dr. Nas was destined for medicine from an early age. But it wasn't until he found himself staring out his rainy GP office window—funeral home on one side, discount supermarket on the other—that he realized he needed a drastic change. His move to the UAE opened doors to practicing functional medicine, an approach that examines how interconnected body systems influence overall health.

    "Your hormones influence your immune system, your gut influences your hormones, your mental health influences everything else," Dr. Nas explains, highlighting why treating isolated symptoms often fails to address root causes. This comprehensive perspective has proven particularly valuable for patients suffering from unexplained symptoms that conventional medicine couldn't resolve, including the surge in mold-related illnesses following UAE flooding.

    The conversation delves into cutting-edge topics including the proper use of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic (hint: it's not just about prescribing), the science behind peptide therapies for inflammation and recovery, and how stem cells actually work (no, they don't magically transform into new tissue). Dr. Nas debunks common misconceptions while providing practical insights on evaluating regenerative treatments: "If someone asked me for the sterility check of a peptide or the purity, I'd be able to provide it. Anyone who blocks it or refuses to give you that information—why would you trust the product?"

    Perhaps most refreshingly, Dr. Nas reminds us that despite exciting advances in biohacking and regenerative medicine, the foundations remain surprisingly simple: "95% of longevity is eating right, exercising, sleeping, managing stress, and making sure your nutrients are topped up."

    Ready to rethink your approach to health? This episode might just change how you view wellness forever.

    If you want to check out Dr.Nas on instagram head over to the link below :

    https://www.instagram.com/dr_nas_wellness?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

    I would love to hear your feedback also, feel free to send me a DM on :

    https://www.instagram.com/sophiadelavari/

    Thank you for listening.


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    58 mins
  • EP 96 : Dr. Eng Suaad Al shamsi : The First Emirati Female Aircraft Engineer
    Aug 28 2025

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    What happens when you chase a dream everyone says is impossible? For Dr. Suaad, the first Emirati female aircraft engineer, it meant transforming an industry and inspiring thousands of women across the Middle East.

    Growing up watching planes from her home near Dubai International Airport, Dr. Suaad developed an obsession that would define her life's work. But when she tried to pursue aircraft engineering after high school, she hit a wall universities explicitly stated "male" under gender requirements. For 18 months, she refused to give up, eventually securing a scholarship from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to study in the UK.

    Dr. Suaad takes us through her remarkable journey, from facing skepticism in a male-dominated field to founding Women in Aviation, a non-profit that now has over 3,000 members. She speaks candidly about balancing professional achievements with family life, dispelling the myth that women must choose between career success and personal happiness.

    Perhaps most powerful is her discussion of learning limits the hard way. After working non-stop on a major project, Dr. Suaad experienced severe burnout that led to three months in hospital. "We're like machines. Sometimes the machine breaks," she explains. This wake-up call transformed her approach to success, teaching her that you cannot give 100% to everything simultaneously. Now she advocates for intentional breaks, including weekly tech-free days with her family and annual social media detoxes.

    Whether you're challenging industry norms, balancing ambition with well-being, or simply wondering how to say "no" more often, this conversation offers wisdom from someone who's broken barriers while learning that true success isn't measured by titles alone. As Dr. Suaad says, "What will they remember? Not all the fancy things around you, but who you are."

    If you want to check out Dr.Suaad on instagram head over to the link below :

    https://www.instagram.com/dr.eng.suaadalshamsi/

    I would love to hear your feedback also, feel free to send me a DM on :

    https://www.instagram.com/sophiadelavari/

    Thank you for listening.

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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • EP: 94 Stefania Lo Gatto - From Rock Bottom to Millionaire: One Woman's Extraordinary Journey
    Aug 9 2025

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    What happens when everything you've built crumbles beneath you? I was speechless introducing Stefania, she has an unstoppable energy, rock bottom became the foundation for extraordinary success.

    After 23 years of marriage and three children, Stefania found herself divorced, betrayed, and completely broke. "I literally didn't even have 10 euros," she recalls. Her parents refused to help, believing she should return to her unfaithful husband. With no choice but to rebuild, Stefania worked as a receptionist at a beauty salon where she'd once been a client, selling her designer clothes and jewelry on eBay to survive.

    This devastating fall from privilege sparked something powerful within her. "The pressure took out talents from me I didn't even know I had," she shares with raw honesty. When introduced to network marketing in 2012, Stefania encountered two years of continuous failure but refused to quit. Today, her business spans 156 countries, and she's helped over 50 people become millionaires.

    Beyond business strategy, our conversation explores profound lessons about resilience, faith, and authentic success. Stefania discusses how true wealth differs from mere money, why relationships matter more than material possessions, and how to maintain your values while building an empire. Her perspective on pride ("It can destroy in five months what took five years to build") offers wisdom applicable to any venture.

    Whether you're rebuilding after loss, pursuing financial independence, or seeking to make an impact, Stefania's journey demonstrates that your greatest setbacks might contain the seeds of your most remarkable achievements—if you have the courage to keep moving forward despite everyone telling you to give up.


    If you want to check out Stefania on instagram head over to the link below :

    https://www.instagram.com/stefania_lo_gatto/

    I would love to hear your feedback also, feel free to send me a DM on :

    https://www.instagram.com/sophiadelavari/

    Thank you for listening x

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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • EP: 93 The Mind Behind Champions: Javier Mendez on Coaching MMA Legends
    Jul 28 2025

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    Javier Mendez opens up about the extraordinary journey that took him from a bullied Mexican immigrant to becoming one of MMA's most respected coaches. With disarming honesty, he reveals how a chance encounter at a nightclub led him to martial arts and eventually to founding the legendary American Kickboxing Academy.

    The conversation delves deep into Mendez's relationships with his most famous fighters. He shares intimate details about preparing Khabib Nurmagomedov for the psychological warfare against Conor McGregor, explaining, "He's going to come after your father, your country, your religion... You can't let him win." This masterful mental preparation helped Khabib remain composed while dominating one of UFC's most heated rivalries. Mendez speaks with profound respect about what Khabib taught him about loyalty, family, and generosity, noting how "the more wealth he had, the more generous he became."

    Perhaps most moving is Mendez's candid discussion of Cain Velasquez's legal troubles after attacking the man who allegedly molested his son. With fatherly concern, Mendez explains the neurological factors behind Velasquez's actions while expressing unwavering support for his former champion. "He's such a beautiful person," Mendez says, confident that Velasquez will eventually turn this tragedy into something positive.

    Beyond fight stories, Mendez reflects on his own identity journey—how he initially rejected his Mexican heritage due to childhood bullying, only to eventually embrace it through Cain's influence. Now, he's planning to expand AKA to Dubai, hoping to develop Emirati fighters for the world stage while continuing to work with his Russian champions.

    Whether you're an MMA enthusiast or simply interested in the psychology of high-performance coaching, Mendez offers profound insights into what makes fighters great and what it takes to build champions both in and outside the cage.

    Thank you for listening to this podcast you can find Javier on Instagram :

    https://www.instagram.com/akajav/

    And if you liked this episode I would love to hear your thoughts?

    DM on : https://www.instagram.com/sophiadelavari/

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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • EP: 92 From Struggling Teacher to Seven-Figure Entrepreneur: Jamal's Journey
    Jul 5 2025

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    What happens when life throws you a £160,000 curveball in a single day? For Jamal, it became the catalyst that transformed his e-commerce business and ultimately led to a seven-figure exit.

    In this riveting conversation, Jamal takes us through his remarkable journey from a stammering student who couldn't afford books to a successful entrepreneur who now coaches others. With disarming honesty, he reveals the seasons of extreme imbalance that entrepreneurship demanded—moments when he was physically present with family but mentally absent, consumed by open loops that wouldn't let him rest until progress was made.

    The heart of our discussion explores what true success looks like beyond material achievements. Growing up in an immigrant household where discipline was paramount, Jamal developed an unshakable resilience that would serve him well. He shares how his early insecurities and stutter pushed him toward personal development, spending hours in bookstores absorbing knowledge he couldn't afford to purchase.

    Perhaps most fascinating is Jamal's perspective on building businesses while maintaining your humanity. He warns against the dangers of tying your identity too closely to professional achievements—something he still struggles with despite his success. "Keep the world in your hands, not in your heart," he says, reflecting on how money's power over him was revealed during his biggest business crisis.

    For anyone navigating the entrepreneurial path, Jamal offers practical wisdom on leadership, marketing, and the uncomfortable truth that building anything meaningful requires periods of serious imbalance. His story reminds us that the greatest success comes not from avoiding failure but from how we respond when it inevitably finds us.

    Have you ever considered what you'd detach yourself from to find greater fulfillment? Listen now and join the conversation about building success that matters beyond the bottom line.

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Ep: 91 From Pool to Profit: Building a Business Around Your Passion
    Jun 24 2025

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    What happens when a lifelong passion collides with entrepreneurial drive? Faris, founder of the world's first swimming app for Apple Watch, takes us on his remarkable journey from childhood pool sessions to building a seven-figure business centered around his love for swimming.

    Born to Syrian immigrants in America, Faris found freedom and control in the water from an early age. "I love the feeling of being weightless in the water and completely separated from the world," he explains. "You can't take your phone with you, no one can bother you, and you're just alone." This sanctuary became the foundation for both his athletic pursuits and eventual business venture.

    The entrepreneurial path wasn't without significant challenges. Faris candidly shares his biggest regret—waiting a full year before implementing a subscription model: "We went a full year not making any money." This hard-learned lesson shaped his advice for aspiring founders: focus on profitability from day one. The COVID pandemic dealt another devastating blow when pools worldwide closed, threatening his swimming-centered business with extinction. Through perseverance and adaptation, he maintained his team despite burning through substantial resources, proving that "startups only die when founders give up."

    Beyond business strategy, Faris offers profound insights on avoiding burnout, maintaining authenticity while building a personal brand, and the power of complementary partnerships. Despite struggling with reading as a child, he's published multiple successful books on swimming, including his latest, "How Not to Drown"—addressing the shocking reality that one in two people worldwide cannot swim. His story reminds us that our greatest challenges often reveal our most meaningful opportunities for impact.

    Ready to dive deeper into your own passion? Subscribe to hear more conversations with entrepreneurs who've transformed their unique skills into thriving businesses while staying true to themselves.

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Ep: 90 From Rock Bottom to Empire Builder: Mark Coles Unplugged
    Jun 15 2025

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    Mark Coles takes us on a riveting journey from his early struggles to becoming a fitness industry titan in this deeply personal conversation. After abandoning a seemingly secure path in his father's property business, Mark followed his passion for fitness despite uncertainty about his future. "I said I don't know, but I need to be happy first... whatever I do that I'm happy, I'll know I'll be successful," he reveals, highlighting the courage required to pursue authentic fulfillment.

    The transformation wasn't simple. Mark candidly discusses his battle with substance abuse and the pivotal moment that changed everything: "I sat on the end of my bed after doing coke... and I went 'you're done.' Never done it since." This raw honesty unveils the power of decisive self-leadership that has defined his approach to life. What followed was a five-year period of intense isolation where Mark rebuilt himself completely—his body, his business, and his mindset—describing it as "probably the loneliest five years I've ever had." This deliberate retreat from social life formed the foundation for his future success.


    Whether you're struggling with personal transformation, building an online coaching business, or seeking to optimize your physical and mental performance, Mark's hard-won wisdom provides a blueprint for authentic success. His journey demonstrates how our greatest challenges, when met with courage and determination, can become the foundation for extraordinary achievement.


    Check Mark out on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/markcolesm10?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

    I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode, Dm on : https://www.instagram.com/sophiadelavari/

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • EP 89: Who Are You When No One is Watching? Dr. Shaheem
    May 25 2025

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    What happens when you leave home and recreate your identity in a new place? How can you break free from people-pleasing patterns that no longer serve you? And what does it really take to design an authentic relationship that thrives long-term?

    In this thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Shaheem draws from her extensive experience as a psychologist and researcher to explore the architecture of our identities and relationships. Having studied diaspora experiences and personality development across cultures, she offers a unique perspective on how we can deliberately design our lives rather than operating on autopilot.

    The discussion introduces powerful concepts like "roaming" – moving through life with wrong programming installed by others – and explains how deepening self-awareness can become your secret weapon for navigating life's transitions. Dr. Shaheem challenges the quick-fix culture of social media advice, offering nuanced insights on everything from cultural adaptation to relationship dynamics.

    Particularly illuminating is her evolution-not-revolution approach to personal change, especially for recovering people-pleasers. Rather than abruptly cutting people off (as often advised online), she suggests becoming a "people easer" who values their needs equally with others while maintaining genuine generosity. For relationships, she dismantles the myth of finding a perfect partner, instead describing love as a verb – something you choose daily – and relationships as third entities that require intentional nurturing.

    Whether you're contemplating a major life change, struggling with career identity, or seeking more authentic connections, Dr. Shaheem’s wisdom provides a blueprint for redesigning your life at any stage. As she reminds us, "What gets you here may not get you there" – but with curiosity and deliberate design, you can create a life that generates joy rather than anxiety and depletion.

    Ready to pull up your personal blueprint? Listen now and discover how to architect a life that truly reflects who you are.


    Check out Dr. Shaheem here : https://www.instagram.com/drshaheem/

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    1 hr and 14 mins