The Brand of YOU

Robyn Abou Chedid
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Welcome to The Brand of YOU, the Middle East’s only podcast dedicated to personal brands. I’m Robyn Abou Chedid, one of the Middle East’s leading personal branding experts, and this is where I sit down with founders, executives, creators, entertainers and high-profile individuals who’ve turned their names into their greatest assets. Together, we dive into how they got seen, how they reinvented themselves, how they created opportunities, and how they turned their visibility into influence, impact and income. But here's the thing. This podcast isn't just about their stories. It's about what you can take from them to build your own. Every episode is packed with ideas, strategies and mindset shifts to help you get noticed, build your reputation, create more opportunities and turn your name into something valuable. It’s elevated. It’s fun. It’s insightful. And it might just change the way you think about yourself and what you’re capable of achieving. Because your greatest asset isn’t your company or your résumé. It’s the brand of YOU.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago ·  Video

    John Achkar “I Had Nothing” - One Viral Reel Changed Everything

    What happens when one viral reel changes your life, but you realise going viral isn't the secret to success? In this episode of The Brand of YOU, I sit down with John Achkar, the stand-up comedian who went from humanitarian work and entrepreneurship to selling 150,000 tickets across 85 cities. But this isn't just a story about going viral. It's about what happens after the attention fades. John opens up about arriving in Dubai with nothing, taking the risk of giving up his other income streams to pursue comedy, and how one viral reel changed everything. Today, he's selling out venues like Dubai Opera, but his biggest lesson? Connection matters more than attention. We talk about the power of relatability, why being memorable matters more than being famous, and how John built a personal brand that goes far beyond social media. He also shares why LinkedIn is an important part of his business, how his divorce changed his relationship with rejection, and why consistency matters more than hype. And of course, I ask him the question I ask all my guests: Who is John beyond the labels, the masks, and the stage? This is a conversation about reinvention, vulnerability, taking risks, and building a personal brand that lasts long after the viral moment. 00:00:00 Introduction: Meet John Ashard, The Comedian Who Reinvented Himself 00:02:28 The Career Progression: From Humanitarian to Stand-Up Comedian 00:09:58 The Viral Moment: When Everything Changed 00:10:36 Connection Over Attention: Building a Real Community 00:10:58 The Art of Relatability: How Stand-Up Creates Connection 00:12:18 Balancing Online and Real World: Where True Brand Building Happens 00:20:57 Overcoming Fear of Rejection: The Divorce That Changed Everything 00:29:23 LinkedIn Strategy: Why Every Touchpoint Matters 00:32:35 The Power of Storytelling: Creating Memorable Experiences Over Laughter 00:36:14 The Comparison Trap: Producing More Than You Consume 00:37:46 Who Is John? Beyond the Labels and Masks Connect with John Achkar: Instagram: / johnachkar (https://www.instagram.com/johnachr) LinkedIn: / johnachkar (https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-achkar-ab186549/) YouTube: / @johnachkar (https://www.youtube.com/@TheJohnAchkar) https://www.johnachkar.com/ Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynabouchedid/) Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn (https://www.instagram.com/girlnamedrobyn) YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn (https://www.youtube.com/@girlnamedrobyn) www.girlnamedrobyn.com If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, leaders and personalities sharing the story of building a powerful personal brand.

    John Achkar “I Had Nothing” - One Viral Reel Changed Everything

  2. Oct 21

    You're Doing So Much… So Why Doesn't It Feel Enough?

    Why does it feel like we're never doing enough? No matter how much you're achieving, building, or putting yourself out there, there's always this pressure to do more, be more, keep up with everyone else. In this Behind The Brand episode, I'm sharing something I've been thinking about a lot lately: the constant feeling that we're not doing enough, even when we're doing so much. We're constantly told to slow down, disconnect, take a break. But what if you're ambitious? What if you genuinely enjoy being busy, building things, meeting people, creating opportunities? I love being productive. I love having things to work towards. I love the energy that comes with having a lot going on. And I don't think ambition is the problem. Maybe the problem isn't how much we're doing. Maybe it's how much we're comparing. Because here's the thing: we're absorbing hundreds of other people's highlights every single day. Someone's launching a business, someone's traveling, someone's growing their following, someone's celebrating another milestone. And while I genuinely love seeing people succeed, sometimes we don't realize just how much of that we're absorbing. Before you know it, you're comparing your everyday life to everyone else's best moments. So I want to talk about the shift I've been making over the last year to focus in my own lane. First: Create more than I consume. Less time watching people live their lives, more time participating in my own. Second: Say yes to more experiences. More events, more networking, more conversations. Putting myself in environments where I can meet new people, exchange ideas, and see what can come from a simple conversation. Are you spending more time consuming other people's progress than actually creating your own? And here's the one I keep coming back to: If you stopped looking at what everyone else was achieving, would you actually feel behind? Because maybe we're doing better than we give ourselves credit for. I don't want to do less. I want to do more of what matters to me. Create more than I consume. Experience more than I observe. And stop using someone else's progress to measure my own. Maybe we're not falling behind. Maybe we're just looking sideways too often. 00:00 Introduction: Why Does It Feel Like We're Never Doing Enough? 00:28 The Real Problem: Ambition vs. Comparison 00:33 Why Slowing Down Isn't Always the Answer 00:59 Being Intentional: Where Your Time and Energy Goes 01:18 The Shift: Create More Than You Consume 01:53 Say Yes to More Experiences in the Real World 02:55 The Bigger Lesson: Busy Doesn't Always Mean Progress 03:40 Questions to Ask Yourself: Measuring Your Own Progress 04:13 Stop Looking Sideways: Focus on Your Own Lane Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynabouchedid/) Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn (https://www.instagram.com/girlnamedrobyn) YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn (https://www.youtube.com/@girlnamedrobyn) www.girlnamedrobyn.com If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, leaders and personalities sharing the story of building a powerful personal brand.

    You're Doing So Much… So Why Doesn't It Feel Enough?

  3. Oct 7

    “If You Don’t Ask, The Answer Is Always No”: Start Creating Your Own Opportunities

    Are you waiting to be picked, or are you putting yourself forward? In this Behind The Brand episode, I'm reflecting on my recent conversation with Maya Nassar, and one thing that really stood out: a lot of the opportunities that changed her career didn't come looking for her. She went looking for them. When you see someone with the kind of visibility Maya has, front cover of Forbes, hosting on Virgin Radio, building a fitness empire, speaking, media, you assume opportunities just come to them. But that's not the full story. Maya told me she approached Virgin Radio herself. She got rejected, but she didn't stop. She wanted to be in magazines, so she pitched herself. She even pretended to be her own PR agency and got her friend to help her send emails. Opportunities don't come to you and don't knock on your door. You have to create them. That's the part we don't see. We see the result, not the ask. We see the radio show, not the email that got her there. We see the Forbes cover, not the pitch that made it happen. And it got me thinking about how many of us are quietly waiting to be chosen. Waiting for the promotion, the speaking opportunity, the new role, the collaboration, the moment someone finally says, you'd be perfect for this. But here's the thing: if you don't ask for it, the answer is always no. I've done this myself. I called myself a speaker before I was a speaker. I had no speaking videos, no experience, but I put it in my LinkedIn headline because how else was I going to attract those opportunities? And it worked. I was approached. Most people wait for opportunities to come to them. But sometimes, the difference between watching someone else get the opportunity and getting it yourself is simply: they asked. So I want you to think about your own life. What's an opportunity you keep hoping someone will offer? What have you been talking about for months, thinking one day? What are you hoping somebody will eventually notice you'd be perfect for? Have you actually asked? Have you sent the email? Have you put your name forward? Have you told the person who could actually make this happen? Stop waiting to be picked. Send that email. Make the introduction. Advocate for yourself. Put your name forward. Pitch yourself. Give people the opportunity to say yes. Because I believe in you. And I want you to believe in you. Your name matters. 00:00 Introduction: Behind the Brand with Maya Nassar 00:28 The Opportunities Maya Created Herself 01:25 Virgin Radio, Forbes, and the Pitches We Don't See 02:03 Waiting to Be Chosen vs Putting Yourself Forward 02:45 If You Don't Ask, the Answer Is Always No 03:10 How I Called Myself a Speaker Before I Was One 05:20 What Are You Waiting For? Stop Hoping and Start Asking 06:30 Closing Thoughts: Your Name Matters MY FREE VIDEO: Watch This - 4 Levels of How to Pitch Yourself https://youtu.be/A9D9k5R2cLs?si=dWZOAJQ__eVfG5oM Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynabouchedid/) Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn (https://www.instagram.com/girlnamedrobyn) YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn (https://www.youtube.com/@girlnamedrobyn) www.girlnamedrobyn.com If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, leaders and personalities sharing the story of building a powerful personal brand.

    “If You Don’t Ask, The Answer Is Always No”: Start Creating Your Own Opportunities

  4. Oct 1 ·  Video

    Miss Fitness Universe Maya Nassar: “If You Want Something, Ask for It”

    What does it actually take to turn your name into a career? Maya Nassar has built a personal brand across fitness, business, media and now film. She’s a fitness champion, founder of Start Living Right, Virgin Radio Lebanon host and mother of four, but what interested me most was how much of her career she created simply by putting herself forward. In this episode of The Brand of YOU, Maya talks openly about pitching herself for opportunities, approaching Virgin Radio with no radio experience, dealing with rejection and online hate, building confidence, motherhood, postpartum depression and learning not to lose yourself while building a career. We also go back to where Maya and I first met 13 years ago at a fitness competition in Denmark, and how both of our careers have evolved since. If there’s one thing to take from this conversation: opportunities don’t always come looking for you. Sometimes, you have to ask. CHAPTERS 00:00 If You Want Something, Ask for It 00:46 Meet Maya Nassar 01:44 From Insecure to Fitness Champion 05:26 Winning 10 Fitness Titles 06:08 From Website to App to Gym 11:12 Turning Her Name Into a Business 14:48 Building an Authentic Personal Brand 17:12 If You Want Something, Ask 21:07 Cutting Off Toxic People 22:06 Online Hate, Judgment & Comparison 26:42 Creating Your Own Opportunities 29:14 Why You Have to Pitch Yourself 32:33 Career vs Motherhood 35:01 Finding Yourself Again After Kids 37:25 Postpartum Depression & Taking a Step Back 40:24 Maya’s Next Chapter: Film 41:09 Who Is Maya Without the Titles? Subscribe to The Brand of YOU for conversations about personal branding, visibility and the people who have turned their name into something bigger. Follow Maya Nassar: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayanassarfitness/ https://startlivingright.net/ Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynabouchedid/) Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn (https://www.instagram.com/girlnamedrobyn) YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn (https://www.youtube.com/@girlnamedrobyn) www.girlnamedrobyn.com

    Miss Fitness Universe Maya Nassar: “If You Want Something, Ask for It”

  5. Sep 23

    People Are Always Forming an Opinion of You. Why The Little Things Matter.

    Your brand isn't just built online. It's built in every interaction, every moment, every choice you make when you think no one's watching. In this Behind The Brand episode, I'm reflecting on my recent conversation with Wynton Harvey, and one thing he said that really stuck with me: even when you think no one's paying attention, someone's paying attention. Wynton grew up around fame, so he understood early that people are constantly forming opinions about you. Not just when you post something or get a promotion, but in the small interactions most of us don’t think about. How you treat someone at a restaurant. Whether you respect people’s time. Whether you do what you said you would do. How you make someone feel when there’s nothing to gain. Sometimes, those are the things people remember most. Wynton spoke a lot about respect and never wanting someone to feel less than because they have less than him. And to me, that says more about someone’s personal brand than their job title ever could. We’ve become so focused on looking like we have a good personal brand that we forget about actually having a good reputation. I feel lucky that, as a millennial, I experienced networking before everything moved online. Early in my career, it was conferences, business cards, after-parties, conversations and seeing the same people again and again. You built your reputation through touch points. Being kind. Listening. Remembering people. Being genuinely interested without always having an agenda. I think we’ve lost some of that. Your real brand still lives in the real world. Online gives you visibility, but your reputation is built through the experiences people have with you. So, what are people saying about you when you’re not there? Because whether you’re actively building a personal brand or not, people are already building an idea of who you are. Maybe the goal isn’t to be seen by everyone. Maybe it’s making sure that when you are seen, people remember you for the right things. 00:00 Introduction: Behind the Brand on Reputation and Perception 00:28 The Wynton Harvey Insight: Someone's Always Watching 01:25 The Human Touch: Respect, Time, and Making People Feel Valued 01:39 Personal Branding Beyond the Online World 02:03 Looking Good vs. Being Good: Reputation Over Appearance 02:11 The Millennial Advantage: Real World Before Online World 03:38 The Question That Matters: What Are People Really Saying About You 03:55 Closing Thoughts: Be Remembered for the Right Things Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynabouchedid/) Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn (https://www.instagram.com/girlnamedrobyn) YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn (https://www.youtube.com/@girlnamedrobyn) www.girlnamedrobyn.com If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, leaders and personalities sharing the story of building a powerful personal brand.

    People Are Always Forming an Opinion of You. Why The Little Things Matter.

  6. Sep 16 ·  Video

    Wynton Harvey: “Everybody Wants the FastPass”

    What does it take to build your own name when you're already known for someone else's? In this episode of The Brand of YOU, I sit down with Wynton Harvey, photographer, DJ, producer, and creative force building a legacy that goes far beyond the name he was born with. Yes, his father is Steve Harvey. But Wynton is so much more than that. We talk about growing up under the spotlight, what it was like switching schools constantly, and how those early years of travel and change shaped him into someone who thrives in the unknown. Wynton opens up about finding his creative voice through photography, building a signature style that people remember, and why his goal isn't to be the best photographer or the best DJ, but to be one of the greatest all-around artists. We dive into what it's like living under constant scrutiny, the moment he told a brand to remove "Steve Harvey's son" from his flyer, and why he's done enough work as an individual to stand on his own. He talks about the pressure, the FastPass mentality, and why success isn't optional for him. When you've seen what life can be like with options, it's hard to go back to standing in line. We also get into staying grounded, treating people with respect no matter how successful you become, and why you can never get so big in this industry that you're indestructible. The same people who build you up can take it all away. Wynton shares what's next for him, from music and design to building partnerships that align with his values, and why every deal should feel like a marriage, not a transaction. And we end with the most important question: Who is Wynton without the Harvey name? 00:00:00 Introduction: Meet Wynton Harvey, Not Just Steve Harvey's Son 00:01:57 Growing Up Harvey: A Childhood of Travel and Change 00:05:35 The Photography Journey: Finding His Creative Voice 00:08:17 Fashion and Flair: Building a Memorable Personal Brand 00:09:51 The Artist's Path: Not Chasing Perfection, Chasing Versatility 00:11:35 Living Under the Spotlight: Fame, Scrutiny, and Staying Cautious 00:13:47 Breaking Free from the Name: I'm Wynton Harvey, Period 00:15:39 Taking Charge: Multiple Moments of Enough is Enough 00:19:52 The Packages Get Delivered on Faith Street 00:23:07 Motivation vs. No Other Option: Why Success Isn't Optional 00:26:33 Everybody Wants the Table, Everybody Wants the Fast Pass 00:26:44 Staying Grounded: Respect, Gratitude, and Treating People Right 00:30:53 You Can Never Be Indestructible: The Power of the People 00:32:40 What's Next: Music, Design, and Building the Wynton Harvey Legacy 00:37:29 The Power of Partnerships 00:41:39 Asking for Help: Assistance vs. Handouts 00:44:13 Final Words: Who is Wynton Without the Harvey Name Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynabouchedid/) Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn (https://www.instagram.com/girlnamedrobyn) YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn (https://www.youtube.com/@girlnamedrobyn) www.girlnamedrobyn.com If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, leaders and personalities sharing the story of building a powerful personal brand.

    Wynton Harvey: “Everybody Wants the FastPass”

  7. Sep 9

    Stop Romanticising Quitting Your Job: Build Stability Before You Leap

    What if the smartest risk isn't going all in, but building stability first? In this Behind The Brand episode, I'm reflecting on my recent conversation with Joe Trad, one of Lebanon's most recognised actors, and the approach he took to completely reinventing his career. We talk so much about taking risks, blowing everything up, and going all in. Social media celebrates the person who quits their job and chases the dream with no safety net. But Joe's story was different. He had a successful marketing career in Dubai. Good money. Comfortable life. But he wanted something else. And instead of making a reckless leap, he approached it differently: 50% emotional, 50% rational. Stability first, then chase the dream. There's this weird pressure now that if you're ambitious, you should be an entrepreneur. Having a job can almost feel like you're not ambitious enough. But Joe's story reminded me that you don't always have to go all in to go after what you want. Throughout my career, I've felt that pressure too. It looked like a fun life to quit your job, become an entrepreneur, and have all the flexibility in the world. But that's not the only option. We romanticize quitting everything to chase a dream. Sometimes the smartest move is to prepare before you leap. You can want more without destroying what you've already built. Maybe the answer isn't going all in. Maybe it's time to stop feeling the pressure and just start building the experience towards it. Building yourself, building your name, one day at a time. 00:00 Introduction: Behind the Brand with Joe Trad 00:20 The 50/50 Approach: Emotional Meets Rational 00:41 The Pressure to Be an Entrepreneur 01:04 The Romanticization of Quitting Everything 01:18 Building Stability Before the Leap 01:32 You Don't Always Have to Go All In 01:46 What Are You Putting Off: A Challenge to Listeners 01:57 Building Your Name One Day at a Time Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynabouchedid/) Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn (https://www.instagram.com/girlnamedrobyn) YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn (https://www.youtube.com/@girlnamedrobyn) www.girlnamedrobyn.com If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, leaders and personalities sharing the story of building a powerful personal brand.

    Stop Romanticising Quitting Your Job: Build Stability Before You Leap

  8. Sep 2 ·  Video

    Lebanon's Joe Trad: “I Left Everything in Dubai to Become an Actor”

    What does it take to walk away from everything you've built and start over? In this episode of The Brand of YOU, I sit down with Joe Trad, one of Lebanon's most recognised actors, to talk about the moment he left his marketing career in Dubai to chase a completely different dream. More than a decade ago, Joe was working in advertising, managing big brands, living the comfortable life. Today, he's known across the Arab world for playing characters like Rami, Khalil, and the villain Nawras. But the transition wasn't easy. We talk about the risk of leaving stability for the unknown, the moment his parents didn't believe in him, and why he almost regretted the decision when he found himself chasing producers in Lebanon just to get paid. Joe opens up about what it was like starting from scratch with no connections, no acting background, and no safety net. He had to believe in himself before anyone else did. We dive into how he built his name across Lebanon and Turkey, the loneliness of sacrificing time with his family to shoot for 15 hours a day, and why he loves playing the villain more than the romantic lead. Joe also talks about his relationship with social media, why he still stresses over posting content, how he deals with negativity online, and why he's leaving Turkey after seven years to start a new chapter between Lebanon and Dubai. This is a conversation about reinvention, resilience, and what it means to build a name that goes beyond the roles you play. 00:00 Introduction: Meet Joe Trad 01:03 From Marketing in Dubai to Acting in Lebanon 03:51 The Moment He Decided to Leave Everything Behind 06:08 Why His Parents Didn't Believe in Him 10:42 Taking the Risk: Emotional and Rational 13:53 Starting from Scratch with No Connections 16:07 The Hell of Not Getting Paid 18:56 When Turkey Opened the Door 23:48 Playing the Villain: Nauras vs Rami 25:48 Do People Know the Real Joe? 28:10 The Sacrifice: Missing Weddings, Funerals, and Family 33:23 Why He Does His Own Stunts 37:05 Dealing with Rejection and Social Media Hate 40:15 Why Social Media Stresses Him Out 44:18 Launching His Own Perfume Line 46:55 Leaving Turkey After Seven Years 51:30 The Next Chapter: Dubai and Saudi 55:20 Who Is Joe Trad? 58:45 Closing Thoughts Connect with Joe Trad: Instagram: / joetrad (https://www.instagram.com/joetrad) TikTok: / joetradofficial (https://www.tiktok.com/@joetradofficial) Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynabouchedid/) Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn (https://www.instagram.com/girlnamedrobyn) YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn (https://www.youtube.com/@girlnamedrobyn) www.girlnamedrobyn.com If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, leaders and personalities sharing the story of building a powerful personal brand.

    Lebanon's Joe Trad: “I Left Everything in Dubai to Become an Actor”

  9. Aug 22

    Behind The Brand: Have The Courage To Pivot Careers

    What does it take to completely reinvent yourself? In this Behind The Brand episode, I'm reflecting on one of the most powerful career pivots I've ever witnessed: Chef Hala Ayash. More than a decade ago, Hala was my personal trainer. Today, she's one of the region's most recognisable chefs. And I watched her make that transformation happen. So many people are thinking about switching careers right now, changing paths, doing something different. But how do you actually find the courage to do it? I wanted to break down Hala's story because it's a masterclass in reinvention. We talk about the imposter moment that changed everything: standing on the set of Top Chef next to a Michelin-star chef, being asked what she did, and realising she couldn't say "personal trainer" anymore. Even though she was a chef, no one saw her that way yet. She had to believe in who she was becoming before anyone else did. That moment forced her to decide who she wanted to be. We also dive into how she built visibility, both online and offline, and the first time she was paid to post on social media. Hala actually felt it was unfair that a brand wanted to pay her. Her mentor reminded her: people weren't paying for a picture. They were paying for years of experience, travel, experimenting, and influence. That's when Chef Hala became a business. This episode is about backing yourself, valuing your brand, and understanding that reinvention isn't about losing who you were. It's about becoming who you're meant to be. If you're thinking about making a change, I hope this gives you the courage to take the leap. Welcome to Behind The Brand

    Behind The Brand: Have The Courage To Pivot Careers

  10. Aug 17 ·  Video

    "I'm a Personal Trainer. I Couldn't Say Chef" Chef Hala Ayash on MBC Top Chef

    Changing careers is hard enough. Changing industries completely is something else. And I’ve actually watched Chef Hala do it. More than a decade ago, I knew Hala from the Strongman classes she ran in Dubai. Back then, she was a personal trainer. Today, she’s Chef Hala, one of the region’s most recognisable chefs. So I wanted to know: what does it actually take to reinvent your career in a completely different industry? In this episode of The Brand of YOU, we go right back to the beginning: from personal training and culinary school to the Top Chef opportunity that forced Hala to decide who she wanted to become. We talk about building Chef Hala into a recognisable name, the role TV and social media played in her career, and the first time she realised her influence could actually make her money. Hala also opens up about consistency, finding what you're naturally good at, being yourself online and why successful women need to stop dimming their light to make other people comfortable. And the conversation gets personal. As two daughters who have both lost our dads, we talk about grief, how losing a parent changes your relationship with time, and why it can make you stop overthinking the decisions that don't matter nearly as much as you thought they did. This is a conversation about changing careers, backing yourself and building something new without losing the parts of you that got you there. 00:00 Introduction: Meet Chef Hala 01:03 From Personal Trainer to Celebrity Chef 03:51 The Strongman Circuit Days 06:08 Training Women and Finding Her Niche 10:42 The TV Opportunity That Started It All 13:53 The Moment She Decided to Become a Chef 16:07 Culinary School: Seven to Seven, Six Days a Week 18:56 Her Daughter Lana as Her Greatest Drive 23:48 The Competitive Side: Born to Win 25:48 Women Supporting Women vs Toxic Competition 28:10 The Top Chef Identity Crisis 33:23 Choosing One Career Over the Other 37:05 The First Time She Got Paid for Social Media 40:15 Understanding Your Value and ROI 44:18 Being True to Yourself Online 46:55 TV Voice vs Real Voice 48:12 What's Your Superpower? 51:30 Advice for Starting on Social Media 55:20 Staying Disciplined with Content Creation 58:45 Losing Her Father and Finding Strength 01:03:10 Who Is Hala? 01:04:25 Closing Thoughts Connect with Chef Hala: Instagram: / chefhalaayash Tiktok: / chefhalaayash https://chefhala.com/ Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn www.girlnamedrobyn.com If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, leaders and personalities, and steal the lessons they’ve learned on reinvention, visibility and monetising their name.

    "I'm a Personal Trainer. I Couldn't Say Chef" Chef Hala Ayash on MBC Top Chef

  11. Jul 22 ·  Video

    Dubai's Ali Al Sayed: "Comedy Isn't About Being Funny"

    What does it take to make strangers laugh for a living? Most people think comedy is about being funny. Ali Al Sayed, one of Dubai's original stand up comedians, believes it's about something else entirely. This conversation goes beyond the punchlines. We talk about the audacity it takes to unmask yourself in front of strangers, why listening is his real superpower, and how comedy became the language he never knew he was searching for. Ali opens up about growing up as the youngest of five with anger issues and why he still doesn't think he's funny. This is a conversation about unmasking, resilience, taking up space, and the courage to be unapologetically yourself. 00:00 Introduction: Meet Ali Al Sayed 01:03 The Moment He Realised He Was Funny (Or Wasn't) 03:51 Listening as a Superpower 06:08 Comedy as Journalism: Absorbing Life to Make People Laugh 10:42 Authenticity Is About Unmasking, Not Performing 13:53 The Audacity to Be Judged by Strangers 16:07 Why Arabs Apologise Instead of Compete 18:56 Folding the Lebanese Sandwich: Identity and Belonging 23:48 Why We Judge People at 2pm 25:48 The First Time He Monetised His Name 28:10 Ali on Stage vs Ali off Stage 37:05 Comedy as a Duet Between You and Your Audience 40:15 Moving Out to Struggle on Purpose 44:18 What He's Chasing Next 46:55 Who Is Ali Al Sayed? 48:12 Closing Thoughts Connect with Ali Al Sayed: Instagram: / alisayedcomedy (https://www.instagram.com/alielsaeedcomedy) Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynabouchedid/) Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn (https://www.instagram.com/girlnamedrobyn) YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn (https://www.youtube.com/@girlnamedrobyn) If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, leaders and personalities sharing the story of building a powerful personal brand.

    Dubai's Ali Al Sayed: "Comedy Isn't About Being Funny"

  12. Jul 6 ·  Video

    Love is Blind Mohammad Kiswani: "I'm More Than Safa's Husband"

    Who is Mohammad Kiswani beyond reality TV? Most people know Mohammad from Love Is Blind: Habibi, but this conversation goes far beyond what you saw on screen. We talk about the moment everything changed after proposing to Safa, why he realised he was meant to entertain, and how he walked away from the life he thought he was supposed to live. Mohammad opens up about battling depression, learning to love himself, balancing life as one half of a well-known couple while building his own identity, and the responsibility that comes with millions of people watching. This is a conversation about identity, reinvention, visibility, and what happens when the world thinks it knows you. If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, creators, leaders and personalities sharing the stories behind their success. 00:00 Introduction: Meet Mohammad Kiswani 01:03 The Boredom That Changed Everything 01:42 The Proposal Moment: A Slow Motion Awakening 03:51 Taking the Crossroad: From Depression to Determination 04:56 Born to Entertain: Discovering His True Identity 06:08 Building a Brand Beyond the Power Couple 07:45 Confidence Through Self-Love 10:42 The Weight of Responsibility: Kids Are Watching 13:53 Comedy in the Age of Offence: Can You Make Fun of Anything? 16:07 Monetising Visibility: From Sales to Personal Brand 18:56 The Art of Acceptance and Authentic Sales 21:05 Safa's Success: Supporting Your Partner's Bigger Following 23:48 Power Couple or Individual Brands? 25:48 Reality TV Love: Embracing the Spotlight 28:10 Acting Dreams: Expressing the Alter Ego 33:23 The Vulnerability That Changed Him 34:52 Almost Cancelling: The Situationship That Saved Everything 37:05 Who Is Mohammad Kiswani? 38:28 Closing Thoughts Connect with Mohamad Kiswani: Instagram: / the.kiswani Tiktok: / mohammadkiswani07 Follow Me on Socials: LinkedIn: / robynabouchedid Instagram: / girlnamedrobyn YouTube: / @girlnamedrobyn

    Love is Blind Mohammad Kiswani: "I'm More Than Safa's Husband"
  • 12 Episodes

About

Welcome to The Brand of YOU, the Middle East’s only podcast dedicated to personal brands. I’m Robyn Abou Chedid, one of the Middle East’s leading personal branding experts, and this is where I sit down with founders, executives, creators, entertainers and high-profile individuals who’ve turned their names into their greatest assets. Together, we dive into how they got seen, how they reinvented themselves, how they created opportunities, and how they turned their visibility into influence, impact and income. But here's the thing. This podcast isn't just about their stories. It's about what you can take from them to build your own. Every episode is packed with ideas, strategies and mindset shifts to help you get noticed, build your reputation, create more opportunities and turn your name into something valuable. It’s elevated. It’s fun. It’s insightful. And it might just change the way you think about yourself and what you’re capable of achieving. Because your greatest asset isn’t your company or your résumé. It’s the brand of YOU.

Information

  • Creator
    Robyn Abou Chedid
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean