Slo Mo: A Podcast with Mo Gawdat Mo Gawdat

I've been looking forward to this conversation ever since I first met today's guest over a year ago. Maya Raichoora is an expert on visualization and co-founder of Remap, a self-help programme that is aimed at helping people to live their best life. Maya is not just another person talking about healing. I believe she has the right credentials because she has lived experience in successfully using a specific technique of visualization.
Maya Raichoora was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at just 16 years old. It is a painful life-changing incurable disease. The condition meant Maya was unable to do things a normal person would be able to do without having to consider how the disease would impact her everyday decisions. Lying in her hospital bed she began to dream of a different life, one where she could learn to live with the challenges that she has been presented with. This is how she discovered the power of visualization. 

Listen as we discuss:
04:00 -  Win it in your mind before winning it in reality06:30 - Why top athletes use visualization09:30  - Outcome visualization11:00 - Incurable diagnosis14:00 - Shame and loneliness16:00 - Discovering visualization20:30 - Changing the brain, changing your life25:00 - Process vs outcome28:15 - Live in your mind first then live in reality30:30 - Travelling32:00 - Technique34: 50 - The end of the movie40;30 - What makes you feel alive43:30 - Entrepreneurship45:00 - So much potential50:00 - Controlling your feelings56:00 - Why me?01:02: - Accountability01:08: - From victim to victor01:10 - Happiness is not a destinationConnect with Maya Raichoora on Instagram @mayaraichoora and LinkedIn 
YouTube: @mogawdatofficial
Instagram: @mo_gawdat
Facebook: @mo.gawdat.official
Twitter: @mgawdat
LinkedIn: /in/mogawdat
Website: mogawdat.com

Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Saturday. Only with your help can we reach One Billion Happy #onebillionhappy

Around 2 months ago a friend of mine in London wanted to introduce me to a start-up, that he said was making big changes in the well-being space. I reluctantly agreed to meet the team and to my surprise, the idea they pitched blew me away. In fact, as cheesy as it sounds, they got me at 'Hello!'
For full disclosure, I ended up investing in the organisation because they have one free component. I'm on the board of directors and also offering tech advice.
JAAQ, an online mental well-being platform was founded by Danny Gray. He's well known in the UK for having one of the most successful 'Dragons Den' pitches for 'War Paint' his men's make-up brand. He's very passionate about protecting others from going through the same mental health challenges as him. 
Danny Gray is the founder of men's make-up brand 'War Paint' and more recently an online mental well-being platform, JAAQ. He lives with body dysmorphic disorder, a mental health condition that inspired him to launch both of his companies. Part of Danny's mission is to provide better access to support, for anyone concerned about their mental health.


Trigger warning - This episode includes mention of suicide 

Listen as we discuss:
04:30 - The personal story08:00 - The breakdown?09:13: - Body dysmorphic disorder14:00 - Reaching out for help18:00 - War Paint21:00 - Everyone is struggling with something25:00 - JAAQ: The mission and the purpose30:00 - Making the World Better32:00 - Suicide and depression35:00 - Tick box organisations38:00 - Where next for JAAQ?41:30 - Mental health crisis in the corporate world44.30 - Get to know the challenge early46:00 - Eating disorders48:30 - The avengers of healthcare50:30 - Breaking down barriers of what people think mental health is52:30 - Depression Vs unhappiness53:30 - Artificial intelligence and mental health58:00 - The right people in your life can make you happyConnect with Danny Gray on Instagram @danny.h.gray
YouTube: @mogawdatofficial
Instagram: @mo_gawdat
Facebook: @mo.gawdat.official
Twitter: @mgawdat
LinkedIn: /in/mogawdat
Website: mogawdat.com

Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Saturday. Only with your help can we reach One Billion Happy #onebillionhappy

You know that saying when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Well, I have a dear friend Sara Sadik and when life gives her challenges she makes books! Her firstborn child arrived with challenging circumstances of her own and as a result, Sara wrote a best-selling book about motherhood, Finding the Magic in Mommyhood. When lockdown hit a couple of years ago she wrote a book for children, The Extraordinary Pause. When life turns left, Sara writes. She is on a journey to find what truly matters in life. She is a remarkable woman and that is because of what she has come through on that journey.
Sara Sadik is a best-selling author and communication strategist based in Dubai. She has worked for the United Nations Human Rights and UNICEF offices. She has also been employed by the UAE Prime Minister's Office leading major projects. Some of her latest work involves mentoring other writers and working on her next book.
Join us as we discuss:
04:00 - The beginning of the road - Adriana's diagnosis06:00 - There is no magic - you create your own07:25 - Sweet and sour09:28 - Angry Mothers14:30 - The Love Story20:30 - Beauty in the scars21:45 - Coping mechanism24:00 - Committed acceptance29:00 - Voice it out32:20 - Finding the magic in the mess36:00 - Slowing down38:30 - Meditation40:00 - Is this an intervention?42:25 -  Pivoting43:30 - Storytelling46:00 - Reason for being48:00 - Picnic at the mountain50:00 - Secret to happinessConnect with Sara on Instagram @bysarasadik 






YouTube: @mogawdatofficial
Instagram: @mo_gawdat
Facebook: @mo.gawdat.official
Twitter: @mgawdat
LinkedIn: /in/mogawdat
Website: mogawdat.com

Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Saturday. Only with your help can we reach One Billion Happy #onebillionhappy

Today I continue my conversation with remarkable women of the Middle East. I would like to remind you that remarkable is not just about the impact these women have had on the region, but also about how far they have come through their own challenges in life. Remarkable truly is about the journey, not the destination and my guest today is a perfect example of that. Aalia Thobani is a Canadian who grew up in Kenya and moved to Dubai to live a life in line with her passion. Her interests in cognitive science and learning and development led her to earn a dual master's in the US, where she worked for a while before returning to Dubai. Her work began with helping children with learning disabilities and providing speech therapy. Aalia has helped thousands of children and has now expanded that help to adults.
Aalia Thobani is an experienced life coach whose career began with helping children with learning difficulties over a decade ago. Since then she has expanded her work to help adults by offering the Stanford Design pioneered Designing Your Life programme which presents a tailor-made workshop package for each client.
Listen as we discuss:
05:45 - Save the world and change the world07:00 - Losing Dad and the Sacred Wound10:00 - Grieving 16 years later11:49 - What is a Sacred Wound14:05 - Healing together16:20 - Unlocking potential18:46 - Stigma and empowerment20:30 - Giving up eating or speaking21:30 - Stutter26:00 - The Kings Speech27:20 - Vessel for God's work29:30 - The most important person in the room34:00 - Crunchmums36:00 - Connecting on humanity38:10 - We are all the same39:45 - Communication, connection and coaching40:51 - Early intervention45:00 - Designing Your Life47:00 - Finding alignment, finding happiness48:40 - Choose happy!50:15 - Follow your curiosityConnect with Aalia Thobani on Instagram @aaliathobani and find out more about her work on her website
YouTube: @mogawdatofficial
Instagram: @mo_gawdat
Facebook: @mo.gawdat.official
Twitter: @mgawdat
LinkedIn: /in/mogawdat
Website: mogawdat.com

Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Saturday. Only with your help can we reach One Billion Happy #onebillionhappy

My guest today is talking about a topic I have wanted to discuss on Slo-Mo for a very long time. Dr. Michelle Jasmin Dimasi is a PhD holder in Philosophy, she's lived in 5 countries but our focus today is on her work as a refugee and women's rights advocate. She's recently released a book, Hope, Solidarity and Death at the Australian Border. Her objective is to raise awareness about the Australian government's policies toward asylum seekers who flee their countries because of war or fear of persecution. She is currently involved in researching what matters most to refugees to help them feel settled and welcomed in their new homes. 
Dr. Michelle Jasmin Dimasi has more than a decade of experience in working on refugee-related issues, empowerment of women and unaccompanied asylum seeker minors and human rights. Michelle holds a Doctorate of Philosophy and held Adjunct Associate Research positions at Swinburne University of Technology and Curtin University’s Centre for Human Rights Education and has published extensively on asylum seeker issues, Afghanistan, and women’s rights. Her work today involves campaigning for the rights of refugees and women whilst raising awareness for the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. 
Listen as we discuss:
Christmas IslandMigration and apartheidUN refugee conventionPeople smugglersGetting on the boatSurrendering to GodFear of the 'other'The Human StoryBack to the beginningDetention and Human RightsBoats arriving and children locked upHopeThree weeks to liveSurviving at seaLost all hopeOffshore islandLove and compassionWe are all the sameDangers and ThreatsGuest of GodGod only gives us the challenges we can handleThe language of spiritualityHope, Solidarity and DeathDocumenting my deathFinding gratitudeConnect with Dr Michelle Jasmin Dimasi on Instagram @michelledimasi or find out more about her on her website. Her book Hope, Solidarity and Death at the Australian Border is available on Amazon
YouTube: @mogawdatofficial
Instagram: @mo_gawdat
Facebook: @mo.gawdat.official
Twitter: @mgawdat
LinkedIn: /in/mogawdat
Website: mogawdat.com

Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Saturday. Only with your help can we reach One Billion Happy #onebillionhappy

I find it funny when people outside of the Middle East ask about what it is like to live here. Questions like, 'Do the camels have a speed limit?' I have to admit the Middle East is one of the jewels of the World. So I wanted to bring a bit of this region to you by sharing some of the stories featuring remarkable women who live here.

Maryam Fattahi Salaam is Persian in origin, born and raised in Dubai and is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in fitness in the region. She is a coffee fan and a mother of three. She has dealt with many challenges in life in her professional and personal life. Maryam also shares with me a much deeper connection with those we love. 

Listen as we discuss
Early education - killing creativity Fitness therapyEntrepreneurship Introducing NeginPrognosisPurpose in lifeGratitudeSuffering is a choiceFinding joy in painBlessingsMy strengthLife shows youWe are not life's victimsWhole-hearted presenceGame of LifeWhat is happiness?Test of hardship/Test of easeGrief awakeningFacing realityHeart conversationConnect with Maryam  on Instagram @mfsmaryam
YouTube: @mogawdatofficial
Instagram: @mo_gawdat
Facebook: @mo.gawdat.official
Twitter: @mgawdat
LinkedIn: /in/mogawdat
Website: mogawdat.com

Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Saturday. Only with your help can we reach One Billion Happy #onebillionhappy