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PODCAST

The Mettleset Podcast

The Mettleset Podcast is on a mission to bring you stories of tenacity, courage and mettle from athletes in the Middle East and beyond. From women’s sports and motorsports to adventure, action- and ultra- endurance sports, and everything in between, listeners will get a dose of the region’s most compelling - fun and funny - underreported sports stories every week. Hosts Dawn Barnable (Sports Communications Professional & Ultra Cyclist) is joined by friends who range from record - and boundary –

sports wilderness

All Episodes

55:54

101. “Work Hard and Luck Will Chase You” - Nourelhoda...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/11/03

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

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01:00:46

100. "Treat it like a business, not a charity” -...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/10/21

Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟We’re taking you straight to Abu Dhabi for a conversation that had everyone talking.Recorded live at the Sport Industry Forum 2025 (October 1–2, Yas Marina Circuit), this special episode features Alexis Ohanian - entrepreneur, investor, and, as we like to call him, women’s sport’s biggest hype man - in conversation with Chris McHardy, Head of Sport at Dubai Eye 103.8.The Reddit and 776 co-founder, Angel City FC backer,

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40:57

99.2 The GCC at UTMB: Karis M Brown Shares Her Story...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/09/17

Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟In this episode, we head back to Chamonix for Part 2 of our UTMB special with Karis Miriam Brown, former lawyer, podium-finishing ultra trail runner, and certified coach.This summer, Karis lined up at the CCC 100K, one of UTMB’s toughest races. Her journey is raw and real: battling a meniscus tear, reshaping expectations mid-race, and leaning into the “why” that fuels her training and racing.Karis also shares:Lessons from

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21:22

99.1 The GCC at UTMB: Ivana Kolaric, Fatema Husain &...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/09/16

Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟In this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, we dive into UTMB – Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc, one of the world’s most iconic trail running festivals.We sat down with three remarkable women from the region who took on the UTMB World Series Finals, sharing their journeys of pushing limits, chasing personal bests, and soaking in the magic of Chamonix.Featured Athletes:Ivana Kolaric – Returned post-pregnancy to finish top 30 and 2nd

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01:18:04

98. ⚽ Maria Khan 🇵🇰 : From Backup Keeper to Pro...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/09/09

Join us as we chat with Maria Khan, captain of the Pakistan women’s football team, about her incredible journey from an early love of football (or soccer) as a kid in the U.S. to signing her first professional contract at 32 in Saudi Arabia.Maria opens up about the influence of her sporting family legacy, the lessons learned as a Division 1 backup goalkeeper, and the moment she rediscovered her love for football in Pakistan. She shares what it’s like to captain the Pakistani national team, navigate

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20:15

97. 🇦🇪 Emirati Women’s Day - Celebrating Incredible...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/08/28

Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟At The Mettleset, we exist to celebrate and empower women in sport, and what better occasion than Emirati Women’s Day to spotlight six incredible athletes who embody courage, resilience, and pride.In this special episode, you’ll hear their journeys: the struggles, the triumphs, and the moments that make them proud to be Emirati women in sport. We asked them to share their biggest accomplishments, and one powerful message for

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56:24

96. 🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️How to Train for a Triathlon as an...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/08/25

Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance 👟We’re closing out our Summer Series with Melina Timson-Katchis, triathlete and coach, sharing expert advice for experienced athletes stepping into triathlon.In this episode, Melina dives into the key lessons for transferring your existing athletic skills to triathlon: why the swim is often underestimated, why triathlon should be treated as one continuous sport, and how to balance strengths and weaknesses through focused training

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55:20

95. 🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️How to Train for Your First...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/08/22

Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance 👟Ever thought about doing a triathlon but didn’t know where to start? In part one of this two-part series, Melina Timson-Katchis, long distance swimmer, triathlete and coach, shares her journey from signing up for a full Ironman on a whim to racing all over the world. Now, she’s helping others step into the sport she loves.In this episode, Melina breaks down:Triathlon distances: From Super Sprint to Ironman, plus a look at ultra

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45:27

94. 👟 How to Run Part 2: From 5K to Ultra with New...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/08/18

Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟Welcome back to The Mettleset Podcast! In Part 2 of our running episode for the Summer Series, we're pushing past the 5K and exploring the incredible world of long-distance and ultra running with Dr. Sara Talia, a family medicine doctor and New Balance Run Club Doha Coach.Dr Sara kicks off by sharing why ultra running is as much a mental game as a physical one, highlighting that your biggest competitor is often yourself. She

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48:09

93. 👟 How to Run: From Zero to 5K with New Balance...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/08/12

Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟Welcome back to The Mettleset Podcast!For our Summer Series, we're helping you jump into a new sport, and this week, we're leaping into the world of running. And who better to guide us from zero to 5K than the incredible Dr. Sara Talia. She's not just a family medicine doctor; she's also a New Balance Run Club Coach in Doha and a former competitive middle-distance runner who even tackled the steeplechase.This is Part 1 of our

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25:38

92. 🐠 What the Ocean Teaches Us: Freediving,...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/08/04

Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance 👟We’re back with Saudi record-holding freediver Nada Alrasheed for Part 2 of our Summer Series deep dive exploring not just how to freedive, but why the ocean is worth protecting.Nada takes us through some of her most unforgettable underwater moments from growing up by the vibrant reefs of the Red Sea to diving in the icy waters of Norway alongside humpback whales. She reflects on what it means to share space with marine life and how

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51:20

91. 🧜🏼‍♀️ How to Freedive with Saudi record-breaking...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/08/01

Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance 👟In this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, we’re diving into the world of freediving with Saudi record-holder and instructor, Nada Alrasheed as part of our Summer Series focused on helping more women try new sports.Nada holds multiple national records and an Arab women’s record for reaching 65 meters in the constant weight bifin category at the CMAS World Championship. Her journey didn’t begin with records or rankings, it started

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01:03:06

90. 🏃‍♀️ How to HYROX with Jess Towl, One of the...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/07/25

Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance 👟In this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, we kick off our Summer Series - a special “How To” series focused on giving you the tools, info and inspo to get started in a new sport. From running your first 5k to training for a Triathlon, to going deep into the world of freediving, we’re sharing real advice, inspiring journeys, and expert tips to help you get started.To launch the series, we’re joined by Jess Towl, Head of HYROX at

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46:46

89. 🏈 'Innovation is the Baseline' with San Francisco...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/07/11

In this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, we’re joined by Stephanie Rogers, Executive Vice President of Marketing for the San Francisco 49ers, one of the NFL’s most storied and valuable franchises.Stephanie takes us inside the 49ers’ global brand strategy, sharing how a legacy team balances tradition with forward-thinking innovation, from data-driven marketing to fan engagement that spans millions of people worldwide.We dive into Stephanie’s impressive career across the PGA Tour, NHL, and now NFL,

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24:49

88. 🇦🇪 🚵🏽‍♀️ SEEKALL: Off-road dreams with the UAE’s...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/06/30

Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟In this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, host Dawn Barnable heads off-road with two riders helping shape the future of cycling in the UAE.Emirati gravel cyclist Rawdha Alfalasi has created something quietly radical: Seek.All, a new women-led cycling group dedicated to building confidence, connection, and community - one trail and one adventure at a time. We join Rawdha and fellow cyclist Sunshine Salgado Fearn at Dubai’s Mushrif

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58:49

87. 🏀 From Delulu to Deal Maker: Stacey Leawood’s...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/06/16

Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟In this inspiring episode, we chat with Stacey Leawood, who just a few years ago, made headlines as the world’s youngest NBA player agent. who made a remarkable leap from small-town Newfoundland to managing athletes in the world’s top basketball league. Stacey takes us on her incredible journey of perseverance, self-belief (or delusion), and innovation, sharing how she broke into the world of sports management with no prior

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33:29

86. 🚲 ‘I got it from Saudi’ - Cyclist Elisa Grassi on...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/06/10

The third edition of the Saudi Games concluded in October 2024, leaving a lasting legacy in the hearts and minds of those who took part.Some 9,000 local and expatriate athletes competed in 52 sporting disciplines, among them Elisa Grassi. The Italian expat, competing in her second Games, took gold in the women’s road cycling event.Grassi, 28, is originally from northern Italy. A biomedical researcher by profession, she discovered a passion for cycling not at home, but after moving to Saudi Arabia in

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01:18:44

85. 🗞️'Being a woman in sport is my superpower'...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/05/26

Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟** Originally aired 27 May, 2024 and worth a (re)listen**Hello everyone.Today’s guest is one of the region’s most prominent sports journalists.She and I met years ago while I was working in public relations, managing the communications for Yas Marina Circuit for the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and Reem was working as a journalist with Sport 360.Since that time, Reem’s career has flourished. She is a sports

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48:10

84. 🇸🇦 ⚽ The Saudi Women’s Football Episode with the...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/05/19

Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟In this episode, host Dawn Barnable is joined by Monika Staab, a true pioneer in women’s football, to discuss the incredible journey of developing women’s football in Saudi Arabia. Recorded late last year, Monika reflects on her incredible role as the technical director for the Saudi women’s national football program, a role she has since stepped down from but whose impact continues to shape the sport in the Kingdom.Since the

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53:01

83. 🏁 Aliyyah Koloc on Rally, Records, Determination,...

The Mettleset Podcast ·

2025/05/09

Today’s episode is brought to you with the support of New Balance. 👟In this episode, host Dawn Barnable sits down with motorsport athlete Aliyyah Koloc, who has already made racing history, and she’s only just getting started.Born and raised in Dubai, Aliyyah became the youngest-ever competitor in the Dakar Rally at just 18 - but before that, she had already secured two truck racing speed records. Since then, she’s added a GT4 endurance championship title to her name, continuing to make her mark on

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