You Are Human

There's an African proverb that says, "Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors." We definitely need the hard knocks in life to soften out our rough edges. Shape us into something more refined and resilient. Today’s episode is about someone who has been challenged at every stage of her life. From having physical and learning disabilities to accepting herself only to define her journey not based on others perception of her, but living it at her terms. She is not just focused on making her life worthwhile but is also aiming to pass forward the environment that she received to grow to those who lack it or need it. 

Safiya Al Bahlani, is an Omani artist, creative designer, and inspirational and motivational speaker. Born with physical disabilities and learning disabilities, Safiya found her passion for arts. Safiya believes challenges is the tool to use to face anything in life and gives you strength and is something unique.  Being an advocate for people with disabilities in her own community has helped in endless ways, not just for herself but for others to understand better. Safiya was awarded the best artist of the year in Oman 2017, and a twice Tedx and Sam Global speaker is now running a small micro-business - Safiya Arts : an art studio and gallery where she provides happiness and love in the pieces that she makes, and mentors.

Being normal is boring, said the very gorgeous and talented Marilyn Monroe. And if she were to be alive today, she would definitely be very proud of our guest in this episode. Because she too is attracted to everything that’s crazy and refuses to lead a life without challenges. Marwa Al Wadhahi, a passionate Omani athlete who has a full time desk job during the day and constantly engages herself in multiple sports, challenges, competitions & adventures during the evening and weekends. She has been a part of various sports and competitions such as crossfit, weightlifting, obstacle course races, road & trail running, ironman and has even gone climbing a few mountains abroad.

Although Marwa isn’t sure of what next, she is confident that it will be something new and something that will push her forward in her journey.

My biggest take from Marwa’s journey and personality is the fact that she strives to do something new and challenging not just for herself but also tags along more women on the way. She happens to stand out and shine on, but with other strong powerful women by her side. This is true empowerment and if we all strive for the same, as a race we will be able to make this planet a much better place to live in.

In life we are usually setting goals. Short term, long term, temporary, daily goals. What we do after achieving them decides our core being and decides our path ahead.

My Today’s guest is someone who knew exactly what he wanted to do since the age of 17. As he got to his first goal, his next goal came alive and so on. Through the years, his hard work, focus, dedication, dreaming with eyes wide open and staying happily unsatisfied has made him Oman’s National Windsurfing Coach and is also training teams for the Olympics. What’s interesting is to see where he goes next.

As Ernest Hemmingway said - It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end.

Sultan Al Balushi too is making the most of his journey and not setting one defined end. His unsatisfied mind has a lot more on the list. I wish him all the very best for his dreams and hope we all stay unsatisfied and hungry for our dreams and live life to its capacity while remembering to enjoy the process.

Throughout our lives we either hear, read or come across people who have dedicated their entire lives for a purpose, a goal. While the majority of us struggle to even find our purpose, a few chosen ones are living it to the fullest.

My today’s guest is Ms Manjushree Rahalkar, she hails from Nagpur, a city in India and has dedicated her life to a language. A language called Sanskrit which is considered to be the mother of all languages and forms the roots of the Indian culture. Manjushree decided to devote her life to Sanskrit at the age of 29 and has embraced celibacy in order to stay committed to her cause. She has taught over 10,000 students till date and has also been honored by the Shiksha Bhushan award in 2016 for her contribution.

She is now a teacher in Indian school Mabeila and continues to live her purpose.

Vimil Vijayasenan, once upon a time a popular chocolate boy in school known for his sports achievements and academic merits had an emotional and psychological breakdown after having diagnosed with Vitiligo.

This episode is about how his world turned upside down after a white patch appeared on his wrist at the age of 16, which only kept growing and growing making him a center of attraction wherever he went. How his discoloration drew him away from sports, how his love drifted apart and in the end, how he beyond anyone else, acknowledged himself, accepted himself and today not just appreciates his skin disease but loves all of it.

Today he is popularly known as Vimillusion. He is an inspiring speaker, Karate Sensei, an artist and a magician. His Foundational phrase “I’m fine just the way I am and just the way I’m not”, is continuing to inspire many and makes him someone who has embraced all of him, just the way he is and just the way he is not.

Mother Teresa said “If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one”

Kindness begins with one person at a time.

Today’s episode is about one such person who has spent the last 3 and a half decades doing everything in his power and reach to help those in distressed situation.

He is a migrants rights activist and social worker based in Oman who has been playing a prominent role in supporting those troubled by labor issues, has been securing the release of Indians from Oman Jails, campaigning against the exploitation of domestic workers, aiding in the repatriation or local burial/ cremation of over hundreds of mortal remains. Over the years he has played a part in providing relief to thousands of distressed migrant workers in Oman irrespective of their nationality.

He is the fighter for the oppressed, the light in the dark, the people's man – Mr PM Jabir.

My today’s guest Dania Al Mahruqy, is someone who I met at F45 in December last year. She is petite and small and so strong and fit simultaneously. At 31 years of age, she is a mother of two, a NASM certified Personal Trainer, Spartan SGX coach, Spartan Brand ambassador who has toughness in not just her muscles but also her soul and spirit. In this episode she shares about her journey becoming a Personal Trainer, dealing with everything that life throws at her mindfully and practicing the Power of Now. Her energy is as infectious as her Smile.

2020 has been a year that has changed the way we live. It has forced us to pause and observe. It is also a year, where we all have been fearing & fighting one monster, one virus. While all the talks and theories do their rounds, I thought how about having a candid chat with a COVID 19 survivor. Today's guest Parth Das, is a 26 years old auditor and a dJ, who tested positive, stayed in quarantine, fought the virus and fully recovered. Through this podcast, an attempt is being made to reduce the fear of the virus and to emphasis on the fact that we must stay positive and be there for eachother.

We all dream, dream and dream, but very few of us actually end up living our dream. My Today’s guest is a dreamer, who dreamt with all his heart and worked towards living that dream.

Abbas Al Lawati - a full time comedian and founder of the only registered comedy brand in the country called Humor Infection. He is also the only local comedian to represent Oman in international comedy festivals (Short + Sweet - 3rd place, Dubai Comedy Fest - Runner up). He is a two time winner of Dubai's most brutal comedy night called "Beat The Gong".

Today’s episode is about his journey to becoming an established comedian along with battling depression, overcoming betrayals, staying humble and confiding into comedy through all the thick and thin.

This episode forces to think about personal dreams and of all that one can do and give up to live those dreams.

If you have a story or journey to share, please write to me at [email protected]