The Mettleset Podcast

The Mettleset
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Weekly

The Mettleset Podcast is on a mission to bring you stories of tenacity, courage and mettle from athletes in the Middle East and beyond. From women’s sports and motorsports to adventure, action- and ultra- endurance sports, and everything in between, listeners will get a dose of the region’s most compelling - fun and funny - underreported sports stories every week. Hosts Dawn Barnable (Sports Communications Professional & Ultra Cyclist) is joined by friends who range from record - and boundary – breaking athletes, world-class explorers, community sports leaders and pro athletes at every stage of their career. For more info, visit www.themettleset.com and find us on all major socials at @themettleset.

  1. Jul 9

    "Losing is Never the End" - 🇹🇳 Dr. Sarra Lajnef-Taylor, Olympian & 5x Guinness World Record Holder

    Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance and Dr.stretch. Dr Sarra Lajnef-Taylor made history as the first Tunisian woman to qualify for the Olympics in swimming, competing at London 2012. Since then, she's refused to be defined by one sport, becoming a six-time FINA Masters World Champion, a five-time Guinness World Record holder, a UAE rowing champion, and a medalist in triathlon and obstacle course racing. In this episode, recorded at the Khalifa International Bowling Center at Zayed Sports Center in Abu Dhabi, Sarra opens up about leaving Tunisia for France at 15, the punctured lung that nearly cost her the London Games, the mental toll elite sport rarely talks about, and why she's now pushing for athlete safeguarding on the world stage. This is the first of what we hope will be a series of conversations with Sarra, stay tuned for round two. Follow Sarra on Instagram: @sarralajnefofficial 🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond📸 Instagram: @themettleset💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn Credits: Host: Dawn BarnableGuest: Dr. Sarra Lajnef-TaylorEditor: Diya Vergis Produced by: The Mettleset 🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports. I hope you enjoy the episode! Dawn

  2. Jun 16

    "Riyadh Is The New NYC" — Jay3lle Founder Johan Lindeberg on Intuition, Community and Changing Golf from Saudi Arabia

    This episode is brought to you by New Balance and Dr.stretch. What does it take to see something others don't? In this episode, host Dawn Barnable sits down with visionary designer, entrepreneur and brand builder Johan Lindeberg, whose influence has shaped the worlds of fashion, sport and culture for more than three decades. From helping build Diesel into a global phenomenon to redefining golf style through J.Lindeberg, Johan has built a career on challenging convention and trusting his intuition long before others could see what he saw. Today, he's embarking on a new chapter with Jay3lle, a luxury golf and lifestyle brand being built from Riyadh alongside CEO Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud. Together, they're reimagining what golf can become through the lenses of fashion, luxury, wellness and community, while drawing inspiration from the energy and ambition shaping modern Saudi Arabia. In this conversation, we discuss: Why intuition has been the guiding force throughout Johan's careerThe leap from Sweden to Italy and knocking on Diesel's doorBuilding one of the most influential fashion brands in golfWhy community is at the heart of every successful brandSaudi Arabia's emergence as a global hub for sport, creativity and cultureThe vision behind Jay3lle and why Johan chose Riyadh for his next chapterGolf as a lifestyle, a creative canvas and a vehicle for connectionEntrepreneurship, risk-taking and seeing opportunities before others do Whether you're an entrepreneur, athlete, creative or simply someone navigating your next chapter, this conversation offers a fascinating perspective on vision, courage and trusting your instincts. More about Jay3lle: https://www.jay3lle.com/https://www.instagram.com/jay3lle/ Learn more about the Aramco Championship via The Mettleset 🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset 📥 Newsletter: https://themettleset.com/subscribe/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themettleset/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/themettleset/ Credits: Host: Dawn BarnableGuest: Johan LindebergSocial Media: Diya Vergis Produced by: The Mettleset 🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports. I hope you enjoy the episode! Dawn

  3. May 5

    112. “Go For It”: The UAE’s First Pro Female MMA Fighter - Zamzam Al Hammadi & PFL MENA GM Jerome Mazet

    This episode is brought to you by Dr.stretch and New Balance. At just 18 years old, Zamzam Al Hammadi is already making history. The Emirati athlete is set to become the first Emirati woman to compete for a major regional MMA promotion when she steps into the cage at PFL MENA: Pride of Arabia in Dubai on May 24. In this episode of The Mettleset Podcast, we sit down with Zamzam ahead of her professional debut to talk about pressure, purpose, representation, and the mindset required to compete at one of the highest levels of combat sport. A Youth MMA World Champion and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu standout, Zamzam opens up about growing up in a family of fighters, the influence of her mother and coach, and why she hopes this moment inspires the next generation of girls in the UAE to step into sport. We’re also joined by Jerome Mazet, GM of Professional Fighters League, who discusses the rise of MMA across the GCC, the UAE’s growing pipeline of talent, and the increasing presence of women both inside the cage and in the crowd. From Saudi Arabia’s Hattan Alsaif to Zamzam’s debut in Dubai, this episode explores how women’s MMA is becoming one of the region’s most exciting emerging sports stories. 🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond📸 Instagram: @themettleset💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn Credits: Host: Dawn BarnableGuests: Zamzam Al Hammadi & Jerome MazetEditor: Diya Vergis Produced by: The Mettleset 🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports. I hope you enjoy the episode! Dawn

  4. Apr 16

    “We Don’t Stop. I Don’t Give Up.” – Lebanese Triathlete Lindzi Nader on Samla, suffering, and staying in the race

    Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟 Lindzi Nader has built her career in triathlon the hard way, without infrastructure, without consistent funding, and often against the realities of living and training in Lebanon. But what she does have is consistency. And resilience. We sat down with one of Lebanon’s leading triathletes to talk about what it really takes to compete at an elite level - not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and logistically. From visa rejections that blocked world championship starts to racing 20 times in 13 months, Lindzi shares what it means to keep going when the system isn’t built for you. Her story spans more than a decade - from starting in swimming to discovering triathlon in 2014, to now competing internationally and closing the gap to the top tier. We also go inside Samla, one of the toughest endurance races in the region, where finishing alone is an achievement. Lindzi placed in the top 10, navigating sand, heat, technical terrain, and a race that demands far more than physical preparation. Alongside competing, she’s building something bigger, coaching and developing the next generation of Lebanese triathletes through her academy. This is about more than results. It’s about performance, persistence, and pushing forward, even when everything around you makes it harder. 🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond📸 Instagram: @themettleset💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn Credits: Host: Dawn BarnableGuest: Lindzi NaderEditor: Diya VergisProduced by: The Mettleset 🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports. I hope you enjoy the episode! Dawn

  5. Apr 6

    When It’s Easy, I Find It Boring” - Pro Golfer Carlota Ciganda Live From the Aramco Championship, Las Vegas

    This episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance Recorded at the Aramco Championship, part of the PIF Global Series at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, this episode features one of the most consistent and respected players in the game, Carlota Ciganda. With 11 professional wins across the LPGA and LET, two Solheim Cup wins and seven appearances, and over 15 years on tour, Carlota shares a candid look at what it really takes to compete at the highest level in golf today. From navigating one of the toughest courses in the world to the mental discipline required to stay present shot after shot, this is a conversation that goes deep into the realities of elite performance. Carlota reflects on starting the game at just five years old, finding her path through the U.S. college system, and building a career defined by consistency, resilience, and a love of the challenge. She also opens up about life on tour, the loneliness, the routines, and the importance of having the right team and environment around you, as well as how the women’s game has evolved into a more athletic, data-driven, and competitive landscape. We also touch on the growing investment in women’s golf, including the impact of PIF and Golf Saudi, and what that means not just for the sport, but for the next generation of players coming through. Carlota shares her approach to mindset, from working with a mental coach to staying focused in an increasingly noisy, social media-driven world, and why the difference at the top ultimately comes down to the mind. She reflects on career highlights, including her Solheim Cup win in Spain, and looks ahead to what’s next - with one clear goal still in sight: winning a major. And at the heart of it all is a simple truth that defines her approach to the game, if it’s easy, it’s not worth chasing. 🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond📸 Instagram: @themettleset💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn Credits: Host: Dawn BarnableGuest: Carlota CigandaEditor: Diya VergisProduced by: The Mettleset 🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports. I hope you enjoy the episode! Dawn

  6. Mar 17

    “Go Get the Milk. Then Get the Bread.” — UAE Swimmer Maha AlShehhi’s Olympic Mindset

    Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance What do you do when you get a call telling you you're going to the Olympics… with six weeks to go? For 18-year-old Emirati swimmer Maha Alshehhi, you put your head down, block out the noise, and mentally break a 200m freestyle into a ‘grocery run’. Host Dawn Barnable sat down with Maha to trace her journey from beach fun to the pool lanes of Paris 2024 - four years ahead of schedule. Maha opens up about growing up as one of three sisters all representing the UAE National Team (yes, including a twin), and the habits that got her through one of the most electric sporting arenas on the planet. We also get into the bigger picture: what it means to be a pioneer for Emirati women in open-water swimming, the surge of female swimmers now emerging from the GCC, and why LA 2028 - with all three Alshehhi sisters on the start line is very much the goal. Follow Maha on Instagram: @mahaalshehhii 🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond📸 Instagram: @themettleset💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn Credits: Host: Dawn BarnableGuest: Maha AlshehhiEditor: Diya Vergis Produced by: The Mettleset 🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports. I hope you enjoy the episode! Dawn

  7. Mar 11

    “Golf Is a Crazy Sport”: Marianne Skarpnord on Life on Tour and the Evolution of Women’s Golf

    Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟 What does life really look like after more than two decades competing at the highest level of professional golf? Recorded live in Riyadh at the PIF Saudi Ladies International, host Dawn Barnable sits down with Ladies European Tour veteran Marianne Skarpnord to talk about life on tour, the evolution of women’s golf, and what keeps athletes competing year after year. Marianne reflects on turning professional in 2005, spending as many as 300 days a year on the road, and the mental pressure that comes with competing in one of the world’s most demanding individual sports. She also looks back at one of the biggest moments of her career -defeating Dame Laura Davies in a playoff - and shares how the game has transformed since she first stepped onto tour. The conversation also explores the rapid rise of women’s golf globally, the impact of events like the PIF Saudi Ladies International, and Marianne’s work as a Golf Saudi ambassador helping inspire the next generation of players in the region. Along the way, we also get into Norway’s sporting culture, the challenges of life on tour, and why - after more than 20 years in the sport - Marianne’s biggest goal this season is simple: go out, relax, and enjoy playing golf again. Follow Marianne on Instagram: @mskarpnord 🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond📸 Instagram: @themettleset💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn Credits: Host: Dawn BarnableGuest: Marianne SkarpnordEditor: Diya VergisProduced by: The Mettleset 🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports. I hope you enjoy the episode! Dawn

  8. Mar 3

    Muni "Lily" He at the PIF Saudi Ladies International - On Golf, the Grind & Why She Loves F1 Academy

    Today’s episode of The Mettleset Podcast is brought to you by New Balance 👟 How does one of the most followed golfers on the planet handle the grind golf is known for when her life looks like a permanent highlight reel? To kick off 2026, The Mettleset was live from Riyadh at the PIF Saudi Ladies International. Host Dawn Barnable sits down with LPGA star Muni “Lily” He to talk about the reality of life on tour. Lily gets real about the mental grit needed to stay at the top, the massive shift in women’s golf prize purses, and how she sets boundaries with 1.3 million followers watching her every move. We also get into her F1 crossover: why she and her fiancé - F1’s Alex Albon - share a sports psychologist, the story behind that Hello Kitty F1 Academy look, and what it’s like when one of the world's best drivers decides to become a "golf WAG" for the weekend. Follow Lily on Instagram: @lilymhe 🌍 Stay Connected with - and support - The Mettleset 📥 Newsletter: Sign up for athlete stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and women’s sports news from MENA and beyond📸 Instagram: @themettleset💼 LinkedIn: The Mettleset on LinkedIn Credits: Host: Dawn BarnableGuest: Muni “Lily” HeEditor: Diya VergisProduced by: The Mettleset 🚲 The Mettleset is a multimedia platform and online community dedicated to sharing stories of underrepresented athletes and underreported sports from the Middle East and beyond. With a mission to diversify the sporting ecosystem, it is one of the first and only sports platforms in the Middle East to put women in sport first, while also featuring niche sporting communities such as action and endurance sports. I hope you enjoy the episode! Dawn

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The Mettleset Podcast is on a mission to bring you stories of tenacity, courage and mettle from athletes in the Middle East and beyond. From women’s sports and motorsports to adventure, action- and ultra- endurance sports, and everything in between, listeners will get a dose of the region’s most compelling - fun and funny - underreported sports stories every week. Hosts Dawn Barnable (Sports Communications Professional & Ultra Cyclist) is joined by friends who range from record - and boundary – breaking athletes, world-class explorers, community sports leaders and pro athletes at every stage of their career. For more info, visit www.themettleset.com and find us on all major socials at @themettleset.

Information

  • Creator
    The Mettleset
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    137
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 The Mettleset
  • Show Website
    The Mettleset Podcast