This week's guest is Sam MCone, a lifelong Dubai resident and the visionary founder of McCone Properties. Having moved to Dubai at the age of two, Sam has a unique, ground-level perspective on the city's meteoric rise from a quiet trading post to a global powerhouse. His journey in real estate began as an agent, but his innate, level-headed resilience led him to build his own successful brokerage over the past 13 years.

In this deeply personal episode, Sam opens up about the tough lessons learned from transitioning from being a tennis ace as a youth, to a top salesperson then to becoming a business owner. He shares invaluable insights on finding a niche in a saturated market of 9,000 brokerages and the uncomfortable but vital role of social media in building a brand. Beyond business, Sam gives a raw and honest account of his complex relationship with his past as a tennis academy student, the challenges that shaped him, and how it contrasts with his current extreme physical challenges, including his upcoming attempt to run 200km in 24 hours to raise 1 million AED for The Sparkle Foundation in Malawi.

01:40 - Growing Up with Dubai

05:30 - An Honest Audit of Dubai's Pros & Cons

09:53 - The Coming Real Estate Correction

17:29 - From Salesman to CEO

23:20 - Carving a Niche in a Crowded Market

42:12 – Running 200 KM in 24 hrs

45:01 – The Past Trauma

48:01 - Parenting Through the Lens of Past Trauma

56:40 - The Story Behind the 200km Run and self-worth

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Join us on Made in Dubai as we sit down with Nico de Corato, an ultra-endurance athlete, entrepreneur who is passionate about the UAE. From ultra-marathons and mountain biking to freediving, jet skiing, and desert adventures, Nico's story spans resilience, discipline, and pushing beyond limits. In this episode, Nico shares:

How he moved from Naples to Dubai and mindset behind his training ultra marathons, 200 km races and achieving the Dubai Sports Challenge

Why sports are a lifestyle, not just a hobby, and that lessons from the unseen moments alone in the desert have made him who is today

How setbacks and challenges can be used a positive motivator to set even great goals, even when no one was supporting him and thought he was seriously unwell (TBC)

Perfect for anyone interested in Dubai, extreme sports, ultramarathons, personal growth, and balancing life and extreme challenges while making a home in Dubai.

This episode is a deep dive into the life of someone who truly lives without limits. Tune in, get inspired, and discover what it really takes to conquer Dubai – on a mountain bike or alone in the desert.

03:30 – From Napoli to Dubai

09:10 – When everything that can go wrong, goes wrong

10:57 – Nico's health problems

13:31 – Nico breaking his sternum

16:20 – Coming to Dubai in 2004

17:11— Solo triathlon for the 49th UAE National Day

20:48 – 200 KM solo run

21:52 – Nico's mom passing away & honouring her

23:16 - Nico having no support when he first moved to Dubai

30:07 – Nico's mindset and discipline

42:45- Why do people hate Dubai?

48:56 – Nico's way of encouraging people to run

51:41: Nico's first run

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This week's guest is Sahar Khan, the dynamic Head of Marketing at Bayut. A foundational member of the team, Sahar joined Bayut in 2014 as one of its first sales employees and has been instrumental in building the brand into the UAE's leading property portal. With a innate passion for creative, out-of-the-box marketing since childhood, she has spearheaded some of the company's most iconic campaigns, including the landmark partnership with Chris Hemsworth.

In this episode, Sahar takes us through her incredible journey from a salesperson in a small startup to leading marketing for a household name. She shares invaluable insights on building a brand in a unique market like the UAE, the evolution of her marketing strategies, and the delicate balance between sales and marketing teams. Sahar also opens about her leadership philosophy, the importance of staying true to one's principles, and how maintaining a clear mind through fitness is crucial to her success.

2:41 - Humble Beginnings at Bayut

4:04 - A Marketer from the Start

5:55 - Marketing in the UAE: A Unique Playbook

8:45 - Sales vs. Marketing: The Eternal Friction

11:55 - From Underdog to Market Leader

13:27 – Working with Chris Hemsworth

20:00 - Solving Industry Problems: Content and Verification

30:13 - Live Events vs. Digital Marketing

Measuring the intangible impact of live events like the iconic B3 launch and the clear metrics of digital campaigns.

36:57 – Dubai's booming real estate market

42:51 - Where Big Ideas Come From

52:15 - Giving Back: More Than Money

55:10 - A Personal Conversation on Principles and Pain

1:08:09 - Starting Over: Lessons for Bayut 2.0

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Sebastian Bates is a British entrepreneur, author, and martial artist best known as the founder of the Warrior Academy, a Dubai-based organisation dedicated to developing children's confidence, focus, and resilience through martial arts. With over 25 years of experience and a background in professional martial arts and extreme sports.

He is the best-selling author of The Warrior Method and Not a Victim, host of the Warrior Academy Podcast, and founder of the Bates Foundation and the "Not A Victim" anti-bullying campaign, initiatives that reflect his commitment to empowering young people and fostering positive character growth worldwide. In this episode, Sebastian dives deep into the journey behind founding the Warrior Academy and the powerful mission driving its global impact.

He discusses how early life challenges and experiences with bullying shaped his vision for empowering children through character development and martial arts. Listeners will hear insights on transforming victim mentality into resilience, the psychology behind bullying, and how celebrating a child as a victim can unintentionally disempower them. Sebastian also explains the Warrior Academy's unique approach to measuring the "3Cs"— Confidence, Conduct, and Concentration and why focusing on the lowest "C" drives transformational growth. The episode highlights inspiring testimonials from over 50,000 children who've been through the academy, explores the impact of the Bates Foundation across Eastern Africa, and reflects on how charity work and purpose-driven entrepreneurship can redefine personal and professional success.

02:53 – Sebastian's backstory and why he founded the Warrior Academy

10:20 – Turning testing times into success: using challenges as motivation for growth

14:46 – Symptoms of a victim mentality and practical steps to overcome it

20:56 – Building the Warrior Academy

40:08 – Understanding why bullying occurs and how to support bullies

42:34 – The Bates Foundation: the purpose behind it

56:50 – What drives Sebastian: finding purpose through meaningful impact

59:10 – The role of Dubai in accelerating the commercial growth of the business

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This week's guest is Danny Agg, who leads Zodiac Global with a clear vision for growth, innovation, and excellence, serves as CEO overseeing the company's strategic direction, partnerships, and overall talent strategy. In this episode, Danny dives deep into the evolving world of talent management and influencer marketing. The conversation highlights the critical role of trust in building authentic brands and explores how creators can craft universal content that resonates across audiences and platforms. Listeners gain practical insights on how to get started as a creator and develop multiple revenue streams. The discussion also examines the rapid growth of the global creator economy and looks ahead to the rising influence of AI-driven creators.

03:40 – Zodiac Global: Talent Management & Influencer Marketing

08:10 – Selective Talent: Choosing the Right Creators

17:06 - Growing an Organic Audience Today

21:23 – How Content Resonates Globally

23:13 – How Creators Make Money

27:45 – How to Build Your Own Product

34:35 – Getting Started as a Creator

46:00 – AI Influencers: What's the Future?

57:50 – Danny Agg's Journey into the Creator Space & Personal Story

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This week's guest is Dr. Nas Al Jafari, a leading Functional Medicine physician and founder of DNA Health in Dubai, renowned for his science-driven, holistic approach to health and wellness. With a focus on uncovering and addressing the root causes of chronic conditions, Dr. Al Jafari integrates the latest medical research with personalised care to help patients achieve optimal well-being. Passionate about empowering individuals to take charge of their health, he emphasises the importance of nutrition, lifestyle interventions, and integrative therapies. His expertise has earned him a reputation as one of the region's most trusted voices in functional and preventative medicine.

In this episode, we explore Dr. Nas Al Jafari's personal journey into Functional Medicine and his approach to addressing the root causes of chronic conditions. He discusses lifestyle, longevity, and preventative health, as well as the evolving challenges of trust in modern healthcare. Dr. Al Jafari shares insights on overnutrition, hormonal optimisation, and emerging therapies such as exosomes and peptides. He also reflects on lessons learned from building his clinic, the four pillars of health, and his experiences practising in Dubai — offering a unique perspective on optimising well-being and transforming healthcare outcomes.

2:40 – Dr. Nas Al Jafari's Backstory

5:40 – Lifestyle, Longevity, and Functional Medicine

19:10 – COVID-19 as a Catalyst for Change

20:19 – The True Meaning of Longevity

28:28 – Championing Preventative Health

40:53 – The Impact of Being Overnourished

49:54 – DNA Health & Wellness Clinics: Lessons Learned

54:20 – Practicing in Dubai: Challenges and Opportunities

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This weeks guest, Karl Mohan, is a seasoned fintech and crypto executive, currently serving as General Manager for APAC and MEA and Global Head of Banking Partnerships at Crypto.com. With over two decades of experience across traditional finance and emerging technologies, Karl is known for bridging the gap between banking and blockchain innovation. Passionate about financial inclusion and responsible crypto adoption, he advocates for regulation that supports innovation, security, and trust, helping Crypto.com make cryptocurrency accessible to everyone.

In this episode, we explore how technology and regulation are shaping the future of finance, with a focus on the rapid evolution of crypto and digital payments. We discuss why Dubai has emerged as a leading hub for the industry, comparing its regulatory landscape with more democratic societies. We also look at the growing integration of crypto with traditional banking and consider the global shift toward cashless societies.

06:19 – New technologies changing the way we pay and invest

11:25 – The evolution of technology and the role of regulation

14:40 – Why Dubai has become one of the leading crypto financial centres

22:18 – The risks of crypto and how regulation and security are improving trust and confidence

34:57 – The Crypto.com x Trump Media deal and its impact on direct and indirect crypto investment

46:34 – The future of cash, societal behaviours, and the role of crypto

52:26 – Pros and cons of a cashless society and the rise of alternative payment systems

Show Sponsors:

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