In the season finale of the Quality of Life Podcast, Raha welcomes Cynthia Karam, Senior Director of Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability for the Middle East at Coca-Cola. Cynthia is an advocate for sustainability, gender equality and empowerment, leading initiatives that have shaped opportunities for women across the region.

This episode is a celebration of courage, grace and living by your values. Raha and Cynthia explore what it means to lead with empathy while owning your seat at the table, even in male-dominated spaces.

In this heartfelt and insightful conversation, Cynthia shares:

• What quality of life means to her and why safety, purpose and simple joys matter most
• How her parents shaped her values of kindness, humility and resilience
• Her perspective on inner peace and the small habits she uses to protect it
• The story behind Tumo, a pioneering women’s empowerment initiative in Saudi Arabia
• How she finds balance between motherhood, career and personal growth
• Her honest take on failure, redundancy and trusting the process
• Overcoming imposter syndrome and learning to advocate for herself
• Why collaboration, not competition, is key to women thriving together
• Her motto: “Iron fist in a velvet glove” and what it has taught her about leadership

Cynthia’s story reminds us that true strength lies in staying grounded in who you are — and that you can create lasting impact without losing your softness.

📚 Cynthia’s Book Pick

Manuscript Found in Accra by Paulo Coelho

🌿 Everyday Joys

• Long walks by the sea with a good playlist
• Journaling and sharing travel memories
• Dark chocolate and quiet evenings with family

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Raha sits down with trailblazing Emirati athlete, speaker and mental health advocate Amna Al Haddad.

From becoming the first Emirati woman to compete internationally in Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit, to helping the UAE qualify for the Rio Olympics, Amna has carved her own path often without support, and in defiance of expectations.

Together they unpack:

• What quality of life means when you're no longer performing for approval
• How Amna found her way in sport without cheerleaders or sponsors
• The weight of cultural expectations and breaking free of them
• Her favourite way to reset and recharge (hint: it involves the ocean)
• Misconceptions about women and lifting and why muscle doesn’t equal masculinity
• Navigating burnout, intuition, and redefining success on your own terms

Amna’s story is a raw and powerful look at what it means to build strength from within and how sometimes the absence of support is the greatest fuel.

Books That Inspired or Reflect Her Journey

• The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
• A book about letting go, tuning into your inner self, and finding peace beyond the mind.
• Grit by Angela Duckworth
• A powerful exploration of passion and perseverance, the science of what keeps people going.
• When the Body Says No by Gabor Maté

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Quality of Life Podcast, Raha sits down with global strategist, storyteller, former ballerina and proud single mother of two — Mona Elsaka,

With over 20 years of experience working with Fortune 100 companies and leading some of the most iconic sports and entertainment partnerships in the world, Mona’s career is powerful on paper but even more powerful in person.

In this open and deeply honest conversation, she shares:

• Her visual triangle of quality of life and what sits at the top of it
• How she rebuilt her identity after divorce and burnout
• The grief of losing both parents young and how it shaped her independence
• Why her two sons are her greatest source of joy and strength
• The deep power of female friendship and why her girlfriends are her board of directors
• The moment a therapist asked her the question that changed everything: who are you without the titles?
• Why ballet helped her reconnect to herself after years of forgetting
• What people don’t see behind the glamorous world of global partnerships
• Her honest take on mental strength, asking for help and what it means to really pick yourself up
• The pressure of performance, the beauty of softness and why resilience is her true superpower
• This is not just a conversation about career or motherhood. It’s about remembering who you are, choosing to grow through the hard seasons, and showing up as yourself, one day at a time.

📚 Mona’s Book and Life Picks

• Let Them by Mel Robbins
• Daily rituals of dance, classical music and drawer organizing
• Favorite mantra: Everything happens for a reason. One day at a time.

🍕 Guilty pleasures: pizza and a little numbing TV in the background

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Quality of Life Podcast, Raha sits down with someone very close to her heart - her friend of 15 years, Emma, founder of Asperia Volleyball Academy and a quiet powerhouse in Dubai’s sports and startup scene.

In her first ever podcast appearance, Emma opens up about how she went from a corporate job in Italy to building a women-led beach volleyball community on Kite Beach; all while staying deeply committed to freedom, flexibility and doing work that feels meaningful.

In this heartfelt and grounded conversation, Emma shares:

• What quality of life means to her and why freedom is the foundation
• The inspiration she drew from brave women throughout her life
• The surprising way beach volleyball became her full-time career
• How her corporate background shaped the way she now runs her business
• Her passion for giving her team freedom and flexibility at work
• The realities of building a community around a niche sport in Dubai
• Why planning, structure and small steps matter just as much as passion
• What she does to recharge and why playing volleyball is better than meditation
• The myth that volleyball is too hard to start, and why it’s actually one of the most joyful, accessible sports
• Her take on failure, planning and the power of believing in your dream
• The unexpected lessons from Frida Kahlo and how her story still inspires her

Emma reminds us that you don’t need to make noise to make an impact. This episode is about moving with quiet confidence, turning a lifelong love into a career, and building something that reflects who you are.

📍 Asperia Volleyball Academy is based at Kite Beach, Dubai

Follow along on Instagram for updates, events and open training sessions

📚 Emma’s Recommended Reads

• Bedtime Stories for Rebel Girls
• Frida Kahlo: The Story of Her Life

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Quality of Life Podcast, Raha meets Kayleigh, a British entrepreneur and the founder of The Female Network Dubai, a fast-growing community created to empower and connect women across the UAE.

Kayleigh opens up about how she grew a network of over 70,000 women while juggling motherhood, grief, burnout and five dogs, all with honesty, humour and heart.

In this warm and inspiring episode, she shares:

• What quality of life means when you’re a mum, a founder and everything in between
• How losing her mother nearly made her give up the network, but ultimately inspired her to keep going
• The daily reality of raising kids, running events and managing a business from home
• Her honest take on mum guilt, phone boundaries and setting routines for sanity
• How her community went from a simple idea to one of Dubai’s largest female networks
• The misconceptions around women-only networking and why this one is different
• Her advice for anyone moving abroad with children and facing the weight of it all
• How she finds peace through cardio, evening swims and walking her five dogs
• The honest truth about what it takes to grow something meaningful without burning out

This is a conversation about resilience, connection and choosing to show up even when life feels like too much. If you’ve ever juggled family, ambition and the need for a bit of quiet, Kayleigh’s story will hit home.

📱 Join The Female Network Dubai

• Instagram: @thefemalenetworkdubai
• Events: From yacht afternoons to yoga in hot air balloons, you’ll find all the latest happenings inside the app

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Quality of Life Podcast, Raha meets Carleen, a multi-business owner, fashion entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for helping women leave the 9 to 5 and build financial freedom on their own terms.

Carleen’s story is not just about success. It’s about facing burnout, losing her energy and direction, and slowly rebuilding with purpose, calm, and a strong morning coffee.

In this open and inspiring conversation, Carleen shares:

• The unexpected signs of burnout and how no one warned her
• How a functional medicine approach helped her heal
• Why she gave up intense workouts, started eating blueberries before bed, and learned to slow down
• Her simple morning routine that changes everything
• The story behind Blondie and the fashion gap she saw in Dubai
• The joy she finds in puzzles, journaling, Grey’s Anatomy, and mint dark chocolate
• Why emotion in business isn't weakness but a strength

This is a conversation about mindset, healing, ambition, and finding joy in the little things. Whether you're navigating stress, thinking about starting something new, or just need a reminder that it’s okay to pause and begin again, Carleen’s story will leave you feeling inspired and understood.

📚 Carleen’s Recommended Reads

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Atomic Habits by James Clear

The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod

📍 Visit Blondie in JBR Dubai

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Quality of Life Podcast, host Raha Moharrak sits down with Sue and Achasa, the vibrant co-founders of Women Who Thrive; a female-led community rooted in eight pillars of wellbeing, designed to support women at every stage of their journey.

The duo open up about:

• What “quality of life” really means to them (spoiler: it’s about real connection, not perfection)
• Building one of the UAE’s most impactful female networking communities, with no formal business plan, just grit, vision and consistency
• The difference between audience and community, and why the latter can transform lives
• Reclaiming wellness at any age, especially after 40
• Navigating self-doubt, burnout, and societal timelines, and learning to just do it anyway
• The truth about women supporting women (and why there’s more than enough room for everyone at the table)
• Their upcoming Thrivers Manifesto and how they’re rewriting the rules of collaboration

Whether you’re dreaming of launching a business, craving community, or needing permission to live life at your own pace,this episode is full of wisdom, warmth, and (much-needed) real talk.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Raha meets Radha.

Radha Patel helps entrepreneurs stop overthinking and start showing up online in a way that grows their business and income. She knows what it’s like to hold back, overthink, and stay stuck, when deep down, you know you’re meant for more. So her goal is to help people stop hiding, simplify their message, and turn their presence into profit.

Radha speaks about the essence of quality of life, the importance of family support, and the journey of personal growth. She shares her insights on finding one's voice and the evolving nature of purpose throughout life. The conversation emphasises the importance of vulnerability, mindset, and the courage to embrace change.

Takeaways:

• Quality of life is about freedom and peace.
• Family plays a crucial role in personal development.
• Entrepreneurs inspire others through their journeys.
• Daily routines can include meditation and exercise.
• Self-care practices are essential for mental health.
• Vulnerability can enhance business connections.
• Life transitions can lead to self-discovery.
• Challenges can redefine one's purpose.
• Public speaking is a skill that can be learned.
• Starting small can help overcome fears of visibility.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Raha meets Khadija.

Khadija Kalifa is an entrepreneur, mother of three, former Apprentice UK finalist, and founder of Full of Beans cafes and the Global Partnership business community.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a working parent, or just someone craving a dose of real talk and resilience, Khadija’s story is proof that you can start anywhere and create the life you deserve.

Khadija opens up about:

• How her diverse upbringing shaped her drive and values
• The father figure who taught her the unshakeable principles she still lives and leads by
• Navigating entrepreneurship as a young mother, from £20 and a Hoover to multiple thriving businesses
• Why freedom means more than money, and how she built a life that lets her be present for her kids while empowering other women to do the same
• Lessons learned from burnout, panic attacks, and finding balance on her own terms
• How she uses a walking mat, hotel escapes, and solo beach moments to stay grounded
• Her go-to reads, her self-healing era, and the mantra that keeps her going: “Live life like others won’t, to have the life that others can’t.”

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, Raha meets Tara Rose.

Tara Rose Kidd is the Founder and Creative Director of Tara Rose Salons, an award-winning luxury salon brand with locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Tara also leads the Tara Rose Academy, mentoring future beauty professionals with a focus on excellence and emotional intelligence. 

They discuss the significance of morning routines, the challenges of burnout, and the impact of environment on hair health. Tara shares insights on time management, misconceptions in the beauty industry, and her aspirations to merge wellness with beauty in her business.

This episode's highlights...

• Quality of life is about living true to purpose.
• Relationships significantly shape our personal growth.
• Morning routines are crucial for setting the tone of the day.
• Burnout often stems from not aligning with one's true purpose.
• Self-care is essential for maintaining mental and emotional health.
• Hair health is influenced by both internal and external factors.
• Effective time management is key to achieving goals.
• The beauty industry faces misconceptions about superficiality.
• It's important to embrace trial and error in personal and professional growth.
• Merging wellness with beauty can enhance overall well-being.

Produced by Pineapple Audio Production

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.