What does it take to dive more than 70 meters beneath the surface on a single breath?In this episode, we sit down with Salma Shaker, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading freedivers, whose journey has taken her from the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea to the world’s most prestigious freediving competitions.

Salma shares the mindset required to push the limits of human performance, explaining why freediving is far more about mental strength than physical ability. She opens up about overcoming fear, dealing with grief, building discipline, and the life lessons she’s learned from spending countless hours beneath the surface.

We also explore the remarkable underwater world of the Red Sea, the future of freediving in Saudi Arabia, shark misconceptions, marine conservation, and Salma’s work with Red Sea Global and Coralium to help protect one of the planet’s most extraordinary marine ecosystems.

0:00 Intro

2:46 What a 70-Meter Dive Really Feels Like

4:57 Growing Up on the Red Sea

7:08 How Salma Discovered Freediving

9:11 Friendship, Rivalry & Miriam’s Influence

10:48 Why Freediving Became an Obsession

12:25 The Journey from 20 to 70 Meters

17:07 Training, Breathwork & Mental Preparation

21:51 Managing Fear and Anxiety Underwater

24:44 How the Ocean Changed Her Life

27:35 Knowing Your Limits: Awareness & Self-Control

32:42 The Incident That Changed Everything

38:44 Grief, Family & Finding Perspective

43:05 The Future of Freediving in Saudi Arabia

47:27 What Makes the Red Sea So Special

56:38 Red Sea Global, Coralium & Marine Conservation

1:04:44 IWC Minutes

1:07:21 Shark Encounters & Ocean Myths

1:15:56 The Hardest Part: Going Down or Coming Back Up?

1:22:55 Control, Patience, Courage & Knowing Your Limits

1:24:37 Final Reflections

H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah on The Kingdom's Untold Humanitarian Story | 185

Dr. Abdullah is an Advisor to the Royal Court and the Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) as well as the pioneering surgeon who has led the separation of more than 70 conjoined twins since 1991. We explore his remarkable journey from his early days as a surgeon and the stories behind some of his most complex operations, to his conversations with the late King Abdullah during his final days. We wrap up with his decade-long role at the helm of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian arm, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, exploring its global mission and the impact it has had in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

0:00 Intro

3:10 How Medicine Shaped His Life

6:35 Saudi Arabia’s Conjoined Twins Program

10:28 The Most Difficult Operation of His Career

15:07 Enduring 23-Hour Surgeries

16:33 How Technology Changed Modern Surgery

18:01 Medicine as a Humanitarian Mission

19:17 From Treating Children to Helping Millions

27:32 The Global Impact of KS Relief

30:32 Saudi Humanitarian Work

35:09 A Personal Story About King Abdullah

42:32 Leadership, Vision 2030, and Saudi Arabia’s Global Role

47:36 Motivation, Pressure, and a Life of Service

56:03 Closing

Mo catches up with old friend Tamara Mosly who took over her mother’s 38-year-old business: Fantasy Party. What began as a family venture has evolved into one of Saudi Arabia’s most recognisable local brands, bringing joy to generations of children through events, gifts, toys, costumes, and celebrations.

Tamara reflects on her mother’s legacy of building and growing the business during a very different era in Saudi Arabia, in an industry that was once viewed rather unconventional. Together, Mo and Tamara explore the responsibilities of parenthood, the realities of burnout, and the ongoing journey of finding purpose, fulfillment, and joy in an ever-evolving world.

0:00 Intro

3:16 Facing Tradition as Women in Business

5:37 Lessons from a Strong Mother

7:43 Growing Up Saudi & Lebanese

9:41 School, Rebellion & Street Smarts

12:02 Applying to the Ivy League… and Getting Rejected

14:00 Growing Up Inside the Family Business

15:37 The Golden Era of Children’s Parties

20:02 Returning to Saudi Arabia During Vision 2030

21:27 Building the F1 Jeddah Guest Experience

22:26 Bringing the British Museum to Madinah

24:00 Witnessing Saudi Arabia’s Transformation Firsthand

25:04 Training 300 Saudi Drivers for Formula 1

28:13 Why Saudi Teams Outperformed Expectations

32:19 From Formula 1 to the Red Sea Film Festival

34:42 Miscarriage, Burnout & Pushing Through

41:24 Motherhood, Work & Hidden Struggles

43:32 Saudi Arabia: Then vs. Now

48:39 How E-Commerce Nearly Killed a 38-Year Legacy

53:06 Taking Over the Family Business

56:00 Choosing Gratitude Over Success

58:27 Loss, Aging & Staying Connected

1:02:06 Health, Motherhood & Losing Yourself

1:04:13 The Truth About Work-Life Balance

1:08:06 Guilty Pleasures

1:10:12 The Dream She Had to Let Go Of

1:15:21 Confidence, Emotions & Feeling Understood

1:18:45 Final Reflections