Evren Özka’s story is one of raw transformation. Before building Mallet London and Everybodies Nutrition, he was trapped in a cycle of addiction, unhealthy habits, and self-doubt. 

Hitting rock bottom forced him to rebuild everything from the ground up.Evren shares how running became his therapy, how nutrition reshaped his mindset, and how he turned pain into purpose. 

He opens up about the moment that changed his life, the discipline it takes to run across three countries, and the mindset behind creating brands that inspire healthier living.This is a story about resilience, redemption, and what it really takes to start over.#thisisdubai #dubai #dubailife

Ahmed Haffar is one of the most recognizable voices in the Middle East. Known as The Voice of Dubai, he has lent his sound to government campaigns, global brands, airlines, and iconic events across the region. But behind the polished voice and professional success lies a story most people have never heard.At 17, Ahmed was in a horrific car accident in Lebanon that killed his two best friends and left him clinically dead for 46 seconds. What happened after changed everything. In this powerful conversation, Ahmed opens up about the night of the crash, rebuilding his life from scratch, and how that experience shaped his path to becoming an award-winning voice artist, sonic branding specialist, stand-up comedian, and MC.He also talks about the business of sound in Dubai, how to position yourself in a city built on perception, and why learning to sell emotion has been the key to his success.

Lauren O’Connell shares her deeply personal journey with breast cancer, from the moment she discovered a lump at home to enduring chemotherapy, hair loss, and the life-changing lessons that followed. She reflects on the emotional and physical challenges she faced, the importance of early detection, and how she involved her family in every step of her recovery. Lauren opens up about the role of therapy, resilience, and finding strength in the unexpected, offering an honest and inspiring story of hope, self-discovery, and advocacy this Breast Cancer Awareness Month.#LaurenOConnell #BreastCancerAwareness #CancerSurvivor #thisisdubai #dubai #dubailife

Irish educator and boxing journalist Cormac O’Donnell joins the show to unpack the UAE’s growing obsession with combat sports and why it’s showing up everywhere from classrooms to fitness studios. From how schools are introducing boxing-inspired programmes to the cultural forces driving the region’s fight boom, Cormac offers sharp insights on discipline, community and what happens when education meets endurance. This one hits hard, literally.

Irish educator and boxing journalist Cormac O’Donnell joins the show to unpack the UAE’s growing obsession with combat sports and why it’s showing up everywhere from classrooms to fitness studios. From how schools are introducing boxing-inspired programmes to the cultural forces driving the region’s fight boom, Cormac offers sharp insights on discipline, community and what happens when education meets endurance. This one hits hard, literally

Vishakha Abbi is a British-trained nurse in mental health and learning disabilities, as well as the Founder of Mind Path UAE, a consultancy helping organisations, schools, and individuals solve people challenges that training alone can’t fix. In this episode, she unpacks the real reasons teams fall apart, why emotional intelligence matters more than management training, and how even well-meaning HR systems can end up protecting the company over its people.Drawing on her clinical background and years spent working with leaders across the UAE, Vishakha explains how behaviour is communication, not chaos, and how understanding that difference can completely shift workplace culture. From navigating conflict to creating environments where people feel heard, she offers a refreshingly human take on what it really means to build healthy, resilient teams.

When Langtry “Lala” White found out she was pregnant with monochorionic twins just months after moving to Dubai, life took an unexpected turn. The pregnancy was complicated by Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, a rare and high-risk condition that changed everything.What came next was a journey of isolation, resilience, and eventually purpose. The support she found during that time became the spark for everything she does today, from founding Small and Mighty Babies and Twins Plus Arabia to becoming one of Dubai’s most trusted doulas and birth educators.When Langtry “Lala” White found out she was pregnant with monochorionic twins just months after moving to Dubai, life took an unexpected turn. The pregnancy was complicated by Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome, a rare and high-risk condition that changed everything.What came next was a journey of isolation, resilience, and eventually purpose. The support she found during that time became the spark for everything she does today, from founding Small and Mighty Babies and Twins Plus Arabia to becoming one of Dubai’s most trusted doulas and birth educators.When Langtry “Lala” White lost her twins to a rare pregnancy complication, her world changed forever. Out of that heartbreak came her mission to help others navigate pregnancy, birth, and the quiet grief that too often goes unspoken. This episode explores the hidden side of parenthood, what it means to lose a baby, how couples grieve in completely different ways, and the complicated emotions around what’s called a “rainbow baby.” Lala shares how she turned pain into purpose, supporting hundreds of families through their pregnancies and early parenthood journeys here in Dubai. It’s a conversation about the broken side of maternity care, the guilt and pressure so many women feel, and how birth has become more of a medical procedure than a deeply human experience. Whether you’re a parent or not, it’s about love, loss, and the courage to rebuild.

Craig Cook, CEO of the Brain & Performance Centre in Dubai, joins me to talk about the future of brain health and performance. The centre is the largest hyperbaric oxygen therapy facility in the world, helping people with recovery from stroke, concussion, autism, cerebral palsy, and more.In this conversation, Craig shares how their programs are improving lives, supporting athletes, and unlocking new ways to approach longevity and healthy ageing. He also opens up about his personal journey as a parent and how his son’s story has shaped his mission.

What happens when the people telling the world’s stories carry invisible scars of their own?This week on With MJP, we sit down with Dr. Masa Al-Kurdi, psychologist, researcher, and one of the few founders of MENATA. From her first-hand work in refugee camps to the rise of trauma-focused therapy for reporters, Dr. Masa sheds light on the toll of frontline storytelling, why the industry still struggles with mental health, and what true support for media professionals should look like.

Frank Kane, a leading business journalist and media veteran in the Middle East, dives into the realities of Dubai’s media world. He talks about censorship red lines, how business reporting becomes political, and why influencers have taken over the spotlight. With decades of experience covering the region, Frank shares unfiltered insights on the good, the bad and the ugly of UAE media, and what it all means for the future.