This episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance

Recorded 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 shares a candid look at what it really takes to compete at the highest level in golf today.

From navigating one of the toughest courses in the world to the mental discipline required to stay present shot after shot, this is a conversation that goes deep into the realities of elite performance. Carlota reflects on starting the game at just five years old, finding her path through the U.S. college system, and building a career defined by consistency, resilience, and a love of the challenge.

She also opens up about life on tour, the loneliness, the routines, and the importance of having the right team and environment around you, as well as how the women’s game has evolved into a more athletic, data-driven, and competitive landscape.

We also touch on the growing investment in women’s golf, including the impact of PIF and Golf Saudi, and what that means not just for the sport, but for the next generation of players coming through.

Carlota shares her approach to mindset, from working with a mental coach to staying focused in an increasingly noisy, social media-driven world, and why the difference at the top ultimately comes down to the mind.

She reflects on career highlights, including her Solheim Cup win in Spain, and looks ahead to what’s next - with one clear goal still in sight: winning a major.

And at the heart of it all is a simple truth that defines her approach to the game, if it’s easy, it’s not worth chasing.

🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset

• 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond
• 📸 Instagram: @themettleset
• 💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn

Credits:

• Host: Dawn Barnable
• Guest: Carlota Ciganda
• Editor: Diya Vergis
• Produced by: The Mettleset

🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports.

I hope you enjoy the episode!

Dawn

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 the pool lanes of Paris 2024 - four years ahead of schedule. Maha opens up about growing up as one of three sisters all representing the UAE National Team (yes, including a twin), and the habits that got her through one of the most electric sporting arenas on the planet.

We also get into the bigger picture: what it means to be a pioneer for Emirati women in open-water swimming, the surge of female swimmers now emerging from the GCC, and why LA 2028 - with all three Alshehhi sisters on the start line is very much the goal.

Follow Maha on Instagram: @mahaalshehhii

🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset

1. 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond
2. 📸 Instagram: @themettleset
3. 💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn

Credits:

1. Host: Dawn Barnable
2. Guest: Maha Alshehhi
3. Editor: Diya Vergis
4. Produced by: The Mettleset

🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports.

I hope you enjoy the episode!

Dawn

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 keeps athletes competing year after year.

Marianne reflects on turning professional in 2005, spending as many as 300 days a year on the road, and the mental pressure that comes with competing in one of the world’s most demanding individual sports. She also looks back at one of the biggest moments of her career -defeating Dame Laura Davies in a playoff - and shares how the game has transformed since she first stepped onto tour.

The conversation also explores the rapid rise of women’s golf globally, the impact of events like the PIF Saudi Ladies International, and Marianne’s work as a Golf Saudi ambassador helping inspire the next generation of players in the region.

Along the way, we also get into Norway’s sporting culture, the challenges of life on tour, and why - after more than 20 years in the sport - Marianne’s biggest goal this season is simple: go out, relax, and enjoy playing golf again.

Follow Marianne on Instagram: @mskarpnord

🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset

1. 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond
2. 📸 Instagram: @themettleset
3. 💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn

Credits:

1. Host: Dawn Barnable
2. Guest: Marianne Skarpnord
3. Editor: Diya Vergis
4. Produced by: The Mettleset

🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports.

I hope you enjoy the episode!

Dawn

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 life on tour.

Lily gets real about the mental grit needed to stay at the top, the massive shift in women’s golf prize purses, and how she sets boundaries with 1.3 million followers watching her every move. We also get into her F1 crossover: why she and her fiancé - F1’s Alex Albon - share a sports psychologist, the story behind that Hello Kitty F1 Academy look, and what it’s like when one of the world's best drivers decides to become a "golf WAG" for the weekend.

Follow Lily on Instagram: @lilymhe

🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset

1. 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond
2. 📸 Instagram: @themettleset
3. 💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn

Credits:

1. Host: Dawn Barnable
2. Guest: Muni “Lily” He
3. Editor: Diya Vergis
4. Produced by: The Mettleset

🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports.

I hope you enjoy the episode!

Dawn

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 pushing limits.

We dive into what it takes to face fear head-on, chase extreme challenges, and stay mentally and physically unstoppable. From skydiving to ultra-running, Olga reveals how she turns scary moments into life-changing triumphs - lessons every athlete, adventurer, and dreamer can use. 

Follow Olga on Instagram: @skyumka

🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset

• 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond
• 📸 Instagram: @themettleset
• 💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn

Credits:

• Host: Dawn Barnable
• Guest: Olga Naumova
• Editor: Diya Vergis 
• Produced by: The Mettleset

🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports.

I hope you enjoy the episode!

Dawn

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 there on the starting blocks. She opens up about the ups and downs of training, balancing school and elite sport, breaking personal records, and what it felt like stepping into the Olympic Village surrounded by her heroes.

Whether you’re a sports fan or just love an inspiring story, this episode is packed with honesty, determination, and a glimpse of what it really takes to chase your dreams on the world stage.

Enjoy!

Follow Mariam on Instagram: @maryamalfarsi1

🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset

• 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond
• 📸 Instagram: @themettleset
• 💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn
• 🌐Website: TheMettleset.com 

Credits:

• Host: Dawn Barnable
• Guest: Maryam Al Farsi
• Editor: Diya Vergis 
• Produced by: The Mettleset

🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports.

I hope you enjoy the episode!

Dawn

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 nearly four decades, it’s a second family for generations of Filipinos in the UAE.

Recorded at the Khalifa International Bowling Center at Zayed Sports City, we chat with Sarah Ociones, a long-time resident, former UAE National Team bowler, and central figure in the club. She shares how bowling went from a fun family activity to international competition, how the club has grown, and the ways it brings people together - through tournaments, charity, and sheer love of the game.

Whether you’re a bowler or just curious about how sport creates community, this episode is full of laughter, inspiration, and stories that make Abu Dhabi feel like home.

Full feature linked here. Enjoy!

Follow Abu Dhabi Filipino Bowling Club on Instagram: @adfbc.uae

🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset

• 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond
• 📸 Instagram: @themettleset
• 💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn
• 🌐Website: TheMettleset.com 

Credits:

• Host: Dawn Barnable
• Guest: Sarah Ociones
• Editor: Diya Vergis 
• Produced by: The Mettleset

🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports.

I hope you enjoy the episode!

Dawn

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 of research into stress, coping, wellbeing, and gender differences in athletes, Dr. Mariana explains what the science actually shows, and why women’s experiences in sport often feel more stressful for reasons that have nothing to do with biology or ability.

She dives into the real issue: the systemic barriers women face every day in sport. From microaggressions to under-representation to male-dominated research frameworks, Dr. Mariana highlights how the environment shapes stress far more than individual traits.

We also unpack the four areas in sport where the gender gap remains most visible, research, representation, media visibility, and funding, and what needs to change to close those gaps.

Follow Dr. Mariana on LinkedIn: Dr. Mariana Kaiseler

🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset

• 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond
• 📸 Instagram: @themettleset
• 💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn

Credits:

• Host: Dawn Barnable
• Guest: Dr.Mariana Kaiseler
• Editor: Diya Vergis 
• Produced by: The Mettleset

🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports.

I hope you enjoy the episode!

Dawn

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 women and men, and why it often hides in plain sight behind fatigue, injury, or performance dips.

She explains how low energy availability impacts the body, from bone and reproductive health to mental focus, and why recovery starts with something deceptively simple: eating enough to meet your training load.

We also dive into the cultural and psychological layers around food and body image in sport, the importance of educating young and endurance athletes early, and how awareness and individualized care can prevent long-term health consequences.

Beyond physiology, Dr. Mountjoy reflects on gender equity in sport, from medical research to leadership, and her hope for a more inclusive, athlete-centered future.

A must-listen for athletes, coaches, parents, and anyone who believes high performance and health should go hand in hand. 🎧

Follow Dr. Margo on Instagram: @drmargomountjoy

🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset

• 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond
• 📸 Instagram: @themettleset
• 💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn

Credits:

• Host: Dawn Barnable
• Guest: Dr.Margo Mountjoy 
• Editor: Diya Vergis 
• Produced by: The Mettleset

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 outdoors. Most people would’ve given up. She didn’t.

Alongside her longtime coach Motaz, she kept training indoors, building strength, discipline, and belief. That commitment led to Egypt’s first-ever World Indoor Rowing gold medal in 2020, followed by multiple medals on the world stage.

Now, she’s back on the water, training for LA 2028, and sharing what she’s learned along the way, from managing setbacks,rebuilding after illness, learning to listen to her body, and what it means to live up to her name, Nourelhoda, “a guiding light.”

Her story is about what happens when you refuse to give up, and how, sometimes, luck really does chase the ones who keep going. 🎧

Follow Nourelhoda on Instagram: @nourelhoda.arafa

🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset

• 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond
• 📸 Instagram: @themettleset
• 💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn

Credits:

• Host: Dawn Barnable
• Guest: Nourelhoda Ara
• Editor: Diya Vergis 
• Produced by: The Mettleset

🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports.

I hope you enjoy the episode!

Dawn