SEF Backstage Pass

Four-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel joins the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast for a thoughtful conversation on success, pressure, purpose, sustainability, and life after racing.

From winning four consecutive Formula 1 World Championships to championing sustainability, environmental action, and greater opportunities for women in motorsport, Vettel reflects on the lessons that shaped his career and the values guiding his next chapter.

He shares insights on motivation, identity, failure, teamwork, entrepreneurship, and why fulfillment is about far more than trophies.

This episode explores:
• Life after Formula 1
• Redefining success and identity
• Managing pressure and failure
• Sustainability and environmental responsibility
• Women in motorsport
• The similarities between elite athletes and entrepreneurs
• Building great teams and long-term success

Produced in partnership with Poddster.

Follow the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast for new episodes every week.

Rania Masri El Khatib, CEO of The Giving Movement, joins the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast to discuss creativity, leadership, career transitions, and the journey of building homegrown brands with global impact.

From organizing fashion shows in high school and building a career in luxury retail, to taking a life-changing career break and leading one of the region's most recognizable homegrown brands, Rania shares lessons on creativity, reflection, resilience, and purpose-driven growth.

Listen to the full episode and subscribe for new episodes every week.

This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster.

Undefeated former UFC Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov joins the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast for an honest conversation on pressure, discipline, entrepreneurship, and life after retirement.

From handling the pressure of an undefeated career to building businesses, coaching, and navigating the transition from fighter to businessman — Khabib shares lessons on leadership, learning, faith, teamwork, and staying hungry.

Watch the full episode and subscribe for new episodes every week.
This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster.

Timestamps:

00:00 Stay “white belt” in business
00:43 Introducing Khabib Nurmagomedov
01:04 Life after retirement & looking back at an undefeated career
01:30 The pressure behind staying undefeated
02:18 Visualization, confidence & belief
03:19 From athlete to coach & entrepreneur
04:16 Building teams & leading businesses
05:36 Learning from others & staying a student
06:46 Diversification, gyms & coffee shops
08:28 Building a coffee brand & business growth in the UAE
09:42 What’s harder: the Octagon or business?
10:08 Transitioning from fighter to businessman
11:45 Mindset, success & daily habits
12:14 Physical recovery after fighting
13:14 Khabib on ageing, mortality & perspective

Subscribe for more conversations with global leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, and changemakers.

Follow SEF:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharjahef
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharjahef
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sharjah-entrepreneurship-festival
Website: https://sharjahef.com

#KhabibNurmagomedov #UFC #Podcast #Entrepreneurship #SEF26

في هذه الحلقة، يشارك عبدالله الجسمي — رئيس مجلس الأعمال الإماراتي البوسني، ورائد أعمال متسلسل، وباحث استراتيجي — رؤيته حول المعنى الحقيقي لريادة الأعمال، والفجوات التي يواجهها الشباب اليوم، وأهمية تحويل صناعة المحتوى إلى تأثير حقيقي بدلاً من مجرد إعلانات.

ويتحدث أيضًا عن رحلته في ترك الوظيفة الحكومية للتفرغ لريادة الأعمال، ولماذا يعتبر أن الشفافية، والإرشاد، والتفكير طويل الأمد هي عناصر أساسية لتمكين الجيل القادم من رواد الأعمال في الإمارات.

🎧 هذه الحلقة من إنتاج بودكاست SEF Backstage Pass بالشراكة مع Poddster.

👉 شاهدوا الحلقة الكاملة الآن واشتركوا لمزيد من القصص من رواد الأعمال الملهمين الذين يشكّلون مستقبل الأعمال والاستراتيجيات في الإمارات وخارجها.

#AbdullaAljasmi #Entrepreneurship #UAEEntrepreneurs #YouthEmpowerment #BridgingTheGap #FounderMindset #BusinessStrategy #SEFBackstagePass #PoddsterPartner #Leadership

Charlie Wright, founder of Humantra, shares his journey from starting a hydration brand in the UAE to building a global business. From the myths around bottled water to the science of electrolytes, Charlie breaks down why hydration matters for everyone — not just athletes — and how Humantra is setting a new standard in wellness.

Watch the full episode here now and subscribe for more stories from visionary founders shaping wellness and entrepreneurship.

This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster.

#CharlieWright #Humantra #HydrationForEveryone #WellnessBrand #Electrolytes #HealthAndWellness #StartupJourney #UAEEntrepreneurs #SEFBackstagePass #PoddsterPartner #GlobalWellness #EverydayHydration

Patrick Abdo, creator of The Drum Path, shares his inspiring journey from engineering to building one of the most recognized drumming platforms in the region.

From turning a viral Mr. Bean video into a global drumming sensation, to opening music schools, scaling online courses, and navigating Lebanon’s challenges before expanding to Dubai — Patrick’s story is all about following passion over convention.

Watch the full episode here now and subscribe for more stories from visionary creators shaping culture and entrepreneurship.

This episode is part of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, proudly produced in partnership with Poddster.

#SEFBackstagePass #PatrickAbdo #TheDrumPath #MusicEntrepreneurship #DubaiCreatives #SharjahEntrepreneurshipFestival #PodcastUAE #CreatorsJourney #FollowYourPassion #DrummingCommunity

For over 23 years, Yasir Khan, founder of TYB (Transform Your Body), has been at the forefront of holistic wellness in the UAE. From mindset coaching to habit-building and fitness, Yasir has created one of the country’s largest transformation facilities — helping CEOs, parents, and everyday people rewire their lives for lasting change.

In this episode, he shares why transformation goes beyond weight loss, how to build sustainable habits, and why courage is the first step toward real change.

Watch this episode here now on our YouTube channel. Don't forget to subscribe and stay tuned for more inspirational stories from visionary founders.

This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster.

#YasirKhan #TransformYourBody #HolisticWellness #HabitBuilding #MindsetMatters #LifeTransformation #SEFBackstagePass #PoddsterPartner #FitnessJourney #SustainableHabits #MindsetCoach #WellnessInUAE

For Emirati designer and artist Hessa Al Zarooni, that story is deeply connected to Sharjah’s heritage. From her graduation project Mazdan — inspired by traditional gypsum patterns in old Sharjah — to designing the Made in Sharjah pavilion at SEF, Hessa shows how creativity can bridge past and present.

In this episode, she shares her journey of turning passion into purpose, the role of community support in her growth, and why confidence is the secret ingredient for every creative.

🎧 Watch the full episode here now and subscribe for more stories from artists redefining culture and creativity.

This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster.

#Madeinsharjah #SEF25 #SefBackStagePass#Emiratiartists

Every great business starts with a problem.

For Yahya Kabbara, that problem was access — and turning something as ordinary as a gate pass into a powerful business model.

In this episode, Yahya shares how MyGatePass identified a hidden need, built trust in a new service, and scaled from an overlooked concept into a growing business.

🎧 Watch the full episode here now on our Youtube channel and subscribe for more stories from visionary founders shaping the future.

This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster.

#YahyaKabbara #MyGatePass #Entrepreneurship #BusinessInnovation #SEFBackstagePass

From friendship to fashion — how did Hala Al Gergawi and Soha Mikati turn a shared vision into a thriving brand?

In this episode of the SEF Backstage Pass Podcast, Hala Al Gergawi and Soha Mikati share the story of how they built a business rooted in culture, style, and purpose. They open up about balancing friendship and entrepreneurship, navigating challenges in the fashion industry, and staying true to their creative vision.

🎧 Watch the full episode here now and subscribe for more stories from visionary founders shaping the future.

This episode was produced in partnership with Poddster.

#HalaAlGergawi #SohaMikati #ELEVENISH #TeaBeforeNoon #LuxuryBrands #ArabWomen #FashionBusiness #SEFBackstagePass #PoddsterPartner #GCC #Levant