A pioneering Saudi athlete who defied expectations by qualifying to represent Saudi Arabia in cross-country skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, becoming the first Saudi male skier to do so.

Since his international skiing debut in 2021, he has competed in multiple FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, including Planica 2023 and Trondheim 2025. Despite training in a city with no snow, Rakan’s daily regimen built on running, swimming, cycling, and hill climbs, reflects a relentless commitment to excellence that has propelled him from the desert to the world stage.

Away from the snow, Rakan is also a decorated rower, inspired by his cousin Hussein Alireza, who competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He is a multiple-time GCC indoor rowing champion and a national champion at the Saudi Games who has represented Saudi Arabia at the 2022 Asian Games in single sculls.

0:00 Intro

4:13 Start of The Journey

7:24 Rowing

9:07 Embracing Challenges

12:08 What are the Saudi Games?

15:23 Rowing to Skiing?

18:04 Olympic Qualifications

30:24 Skiing Without Snow

33:05 Olympics Selection and Winter Sports

36:29 Maintaining Mental Strength

50:19 Olympic Ambitions and Self Advice

54:35 Closing Thoughts

"The MICHELIN Guide is NOT about Luxury!" -Gwendal Poullennec 155, The International Director of The MICHELIN Guides

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, has long been driven by a passion for gastronomy, travel, and hospitality. Since joining the Michelin Group in 2003, he has played a pivotal role in expanding the Guide globally—launching its first Asian edition in Tokyo in 2007 and overseeing the creation of 12 more international Guides.

His deep involvement with inspectors and unwavering commitment to the Guide’s core values—expertise, integrity, and the celebration of culinary talent—have been central to its continued evolution, especially as he spearheaded its digital transformation.

On this episode, Gwendal shares Michelin’s vision and goals for Saudi Arabia: to help drive economic growth and raise culinary standards by recognizing excellence in the Kingdom’s vibrant food scene. He discusses the Guide’s commitment to showcasing local talent and authentic Saudi food culture, while upholding the same rigorous inspection methodology used worldwide.

We also explore how Michelin is leveraging media and strategic partnerships to create long-term cultural and economic impact in the region—ensuring that this isn’t just about stars on a plate, but a broader story of growth, recognition, and global connection.

A big thanks to Bab Samhan hotel in Diriyah for allowing us to shoot this episode in their beautiful new property and another big thank you to Mayda Badr who leads the Culinary Arts Commission in Saudi Arabia for their trust in us to shoot with such a remarkable individual.

0:00 Intro

1:30 First Impressions of Saudi Arabia

3:48 Economic Impact of Michelin

8:07 Working at Michelin

8:59 Tokyo’s Culinary Scene

10:04 Origins of the Guide

11:53 Inspector Criteria & Training

15:21 Inspector Anonymity

25:56 Supporting Local Restaurants

31:01 Common Misconceptions and Myths

36:06 Local Market Growth

38:36 Impressions of Saudi Cuisine

42:07 Advice for Saudi Chefs

44:45 Closing

On this powerful episode, we sit down with certified self-development trainer and life coach Maha Al-Subaie for an honest and insightful conversation about self-love, emotional awareness, and the journey of inner healing. We explore why so many struggle with loving themselves, how to quiet the inner critic, and the real impact of positive self-talk.

Maha shares practical advice for those at the start of their healing journey, and offers insights into emotional intelligence, the role of childhood wounds, and why “the only way out is through.” She also opens up about her personal turning point, the importance of boundaries, the power of saying “no,” and how meditation and spirituality have shaped her growth. If you’ve ever wondered how to reconnect with yourself and live more authentically, this episode is for you.

0:00 Taking the harder road

1:24 Managing negative thoughts

2:27 Embracing fear as part of life

7:26 Publishing first public video

12:46 Helping others finding purpose

16:49 Do we all need therapy?

18:33 Understanding your inner voice

23:51 Meditation, journaling visualization

28:56 Morning routine wake-up habits

35:08 Self-love: decline or rise?

39:28 Gratitude evening reflection

41:00 Digital detox screen boundaries

44:41 Cultivating self-worth acceptance

47:17 Reconnecting with your true self

50:07 Building confidence deflecting pressure

57:28 Be the change you want to see

1:04:13 Trusting your gut feelings

1:12:13 Setting boundaries saying no

1:17:02 Support from strangers vs. close ones

1:18:37 Handling negativity comments

1:21:18 Facing pain managing the ego

1:23:29 Manifestation emotional creation

1:26:19 Progress vs. excuses

1:29:26 Parenting: get comfortable being uncomfortable

1:32:28 Your past doesn’t define you

1:37:19 Defining happiness

1:43:35 Closing remarks key takeaways

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Saudia

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Whoop

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Noon Instagram

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Pizza Hut Jeddah

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Tim Hortons Instagram

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IWC Instagram https://bit.ly/44dxbFW

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Credits

Maha Turki Al-Subaie | Guest

Mo Islam | Host Founder

Ryan Ismail | COO

Faisal Nejaim | Show Manager

Gregoris Kalai | Head of Strategy

Tito | Creative Director

Youssef Hamieh | Production Manager

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