The Quality of Life Podcast

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 foundationThe inspiration she drew from brave women throughout her lifeThe surprising way beach volleyball became her full-time careerHow her corporate background shaped the way she now runs her businessHer passion for giving her team freedom and flexibility at workThe realities of building a community around a niche sport in DubaiWhy planning, structure and small steps matter just as much as passionWhat she does to recharge and why playing volleyball is better than meditationThe myth that volleyball is too hard to start, and why it’s actually one of the most joyful, accessible sportsHer take on failure, planning and the power of believing in your dreamThe unexpected lessons from Frida Kahlo and how her story still inspires herEmma 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, DubaiFollow along on Instagram for updates, events and open training sessions📚 Emma’s Recommended ReadsBedtime Stories for Rebel GirlsFrida Kahlo: The Story of Her LifeProduced by Pineapple Audio Production

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 betweenHow losing her mother nearly made her give up the network, but ultimately inspired her to keep goingThe daily reality of raising kids, running events and managing a business from homeHer honest take on mum guilt, phone boundaries and setting routines for sanityHow her community went from a simple idea to one of Dubai’s largest female networksThe misconceptions around women-only networking and why this one is differentHer advice for anyone moving abroad with children and facing the weight of it allHow she finds peace through cardio, evening swims and walking her five dogsThe honest truth about what it takes to grow something meaningful without burning outThis 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 DubaiInstagram: @thefemalenetworkdubaiEvents: From yacht afternoons to yoga in hot air balloons, you’ll find all the latest happenings inside the appProduced by Pineapple Audio Production

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 herHow a functional medicine approach helped her healWhy she gave up intense workouts, started eating blueberries before bed, and learned to slow downHer simple morning routine that changes everythingThe story behind Blondie and the fashion gap she saw in DubaiThe joy she finds in puzzles, journaling, Grey’s Anatomy, and mint dark chocolateWhy emotion in business isn't weakness but a strengthThis 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 ReadsThe Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoAtomic Habits by James ClearThe Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod📍 Visit Blondie in JBR DubaiProduced by Pineapple Audio Production

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 consistencyThe difference between audience and community, and why the latter can transform livesReclaiming wellness at any age, especially after 40Navigating self-doubt, burnout, and societal timelines, and learning to just do it anywayThe 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 collaborationWhether 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

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

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 valuesThe father figure who taught her the unshakeable principles she still lives and leads byNavigating entrepreneurship as a young mother, from £20 and a Hoover to multiple thriving businessesWhy 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 sameLessons learned from burnout, panic attacks, and finding balance on her own termsHow she uses a walking mat, hotel escapes, and solo beach moments to stay groundedHer 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

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

Today, Raha meets Alecs. Alecs Donovan is a former Welsh international rugby player turned wellness entrepreneur. She’s a yoga instructor and founder of yoga and wellness brand ‘Your Best Life’. She’s also behind lifestyle brand ‘Slow Sunday Life’.This episode's highlights...Quality of life evolves with age and career changes.Joy is a crucial component of quality of life.The people around us significantly impact our lives.It's important to acknowledge and learn from past experiences.Creating a supportive community can help those without one.Books can inspire and enhance language skills.Enjoying the journey is as important as the destination.Friendship dynamics can change as life circumstances shift.Setting boundaries is essential for self-respect.A diverse business can lead to a varied daily routine. Social media is a necessary tool, but not a lifestyle.Isolation can be a challenge in online work.Finding balance between work and personal life is crucial.Unwinding can be as simple as spending time with loved ones.Chasing growth can lead to losing joy in work.Appreciating what you have is more important than always wanting more.Travel teaches gratitude and humility.Building a business is about nurturing existing relationships.It's okay to seek help and share burdens with friends.Life is about enjoying the journey, not just the destination.Produced by Pineapple Audio Production and supported by TRXاليوم، تلتقي راحا مع أليكس.أليكس دونوفان هي لاعبة رجبي دولية سابقة في منتخب ويلز، تحولت إلى رائدة أعمال في مجال العافية. تعمل كمدربة يوغا وهي مؤسسة علامة Your Best Life لليوغا والعافية، كما أنها تقف وراء العلامة الحياتية Slow Sunday Life.أهم محاور هذه الحلقة...جودة الحياة تتطور مع التقدم في العمر وتغير المسار المهني.الفرح عنصر أساسي في جودة الحياة.الأشخاص من حولنا يؤثرون بشكل كبير على حياتنا.من المهم الاعتراف بالتجارب السابقة والتعلم منها.إنشاء مجتمع داعم يمكن أن يساعد من يفتقرون إليه.الكتب تلهمنا وتطوّر مهاراتنا اللغوية.الاستمتاع بالرحلة لا يقل أهمية عن بلوغ الوجهة.ديناميكيات الصداقة قد تتغير مع تغيّر ظروف الحياة.وضع الحدود ضروري لاحترام الذات.تنوع الأعمال يؤدي إلى روتين يومي متنوع.وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي أداة ضرورية، لكنها ليست أسلوب حياة.العمل عبر الإنترنت قد يجلب العزلة.التوازن بين العمل والحياة الشخصية أمر بالغ الأهمية.الاسترخاء قد يكون ببساطة قضاء وقت مع من نحب.السعي المستمر للنمو قد يفقدك متعة العمل.تقدير ما لديك أهم من الرغبة الدائمة في المزيد.السفر يعلمنا الامتنان والتواضع.بناء عمل ناجح يعتمد على تنمية العلاقات القائمة.لا بأس بطلب المساعدة وتقاسم الأعباء مع الأصدقاء.الحياة عن الاستمتاع بالرحلة، لا فقط الوصول إلى الهدف.من إنتاج Pineapple Audio Production وبدعم من TRX.

Today, Raha meets Alecs. Alecs Donovan is a former Welsh international rugby player turned wellness entrepreneur. She’s a yoga instructor and founder of yoga and wellness brand ‘Your Best Life’. She’s also behind lifestyle brand ‘Slow Sunday Life’.This episode's highlights...Quality of life evolves with age and career changes.Joy is a crucial component of quality of life.The people around us significantly impact our lives.It's important to acknowledge and learn from past experiences.Creating a supportive community can help those without one.Books can inspire and enhance language skills.Enjoying the journey is as important as the destination.Friendship dynamics can change as life circumstances shift.Setting boundaries is essential for self-respect.A diverse business can lead to a varied daily routine. Social media is a necessary tool, but not a lifestyle.Isolation can be a challenge in online work.Finding balance between work and personal life is crucial.Unwinding can be as simple as spending time with loved ones.Chasing growth can lead to losing joy in work.Appreciating what you have is more important than always wanting more.Travel teaches gratitude and humility.Building a business is about nurturing existing relationships.It's okay to seek help and share burdens with friends.Life is about enjoying the journey, not just the destination.Produced by Pineapple Audio Production and supported by TRXاليوم، تلتقي راحا مع أليكس.أليكس دونوفان هي لاعبة رجبي دولية سابقة في منتخب ويلز، تحولت إلى رائدة أعمال في مجال العافية. تعمل كمدربة يوغا وهي مؤسسة علامة Your Best Life لليوغا والعافية، كما أنها تقف وراء العلامة الحياتية Slow Sunday Life.أهم محاور هذه الحلقة...جودة الحياة تتطور مع التقدم في العمر وتغير المسار المهني.الفرح عنصر أساسي في جودة الحياة.الأشخاص من حولنا يؤثرون بشكل كبير على حياتنا.من المهم الاعتراف بالتجارب السابقة والتعلم منها.إنشاء مجتمع داعم يمكن أن يساعد من يفتقرون إليه.الكتب تلهمنا وتطوّر مهاراتنا اللغوية.الاستمتاع بالرحلة لا يقل أهمية عن بلوغ الوجهة.ديناميكيات الصداقة قد تتغير مع تغيّر ظروف الحياة.وضع الحدود ضروري لاحترام الذات.تنوع الأعمال يؤدي إلى روتين يومي متنوع.وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي أداة ضرورية، لكنها ليست أسلوب حياة.العمل عبر الإنترنت قد يجلب العزلة.التوازن بين العمل والحياة الشخصية أمر بالغ الأهمية.الاسترخاء قد يكون ببساطة قضاء وقت مع من نحب.السعي المستمر للنمو قد يفقدك متعة العمل.تقدير ما لديك أهم من الرغبة الدائمة في المزيد.السفر يعلمنا الامتنان والتواضع.بناء عمل ناجح يعتمد على تنمية العلاقات القائمة.لا بأس بطلب المساعدة وتقاسم الأعباء مع الأصدقاء.الحياة عن الاستمتاع بالرحلة، لا فقط الوصول إلى الهدف.من إنتاج Pineapple Audio Production وبدعم من TRX.