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    HH Sheikha Mozah Bint Marwan Al Maktoum on being a pilot and an author

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    Life by Ruman Baig 10 mins ago In a fusion of aviation prowess and literary ambition, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Marwan Al Maktoum, Dubai’s pioneering first Royal female police pilot, has soared to new heights. With the release of her debut children’s book, ‘When She Took To The Sky,’ Sheikha Mozah is not only rewriting the rules of ambition, but she is also changing the narratives that shape young minds. Through an exclusive interview, we delve into her remarkable journey from breaking gender barriers in aviation to inspiring the next generation of young women to reach for the skies. Can you share the inspiration behind your debut children’s book? The future leaders of tomorrow – the youth. I wanted to convey my encouragement to young women to go out and pursue their dreams, and I think the best way for me to do that was to highlight the stories of inspiring female aviators throughout history. I wanted to impart courage and strength to the young women of tomorrow to chase their passions – be it aviation, or any field. As Dubai’s pioneering first Royal female police pilot, how did your experience influence the narrative of your book? My aviation journey was challenging in many ways but immensely rewarding. As a young woman entering a male-dominated field, I had to put in twice the effort compared to my male peers to make my presence felt. But it never got me down – I was motivated to put in the work and make myself stand out because ultimately, I believed in my dream to be in the sky. The stories of the women all over the world who came before me and broke the glass ceiling were so inspiring to me, and I just felt like I had to retell their stories to honour them and inspire the future generation. They were a testament to the fact that women can do anything men can do and that flying does not categorise anyone based on gender – which is something I have always believed in. What message do you hope to convey to young girls through your book, particularly in terms of breaking gender stereotypes in aviation? The sky offers limitless possibilities for all, and anyone can fly and experience that regardless of gender. I want young women to find strength and courage within the stories from When She Took To The Sky. Especially in aviation where women as a group are so underrepresented, it is important to know their history and the remarkable feats of women who were here before us – their work has led the way for more women to make their mark in aviation, including me, in more ways than one. Can you tell us about some of the remarkable female aviators you feature in your book? When She Took To The Sky consists of stories of inspiring women in aviation from the world and the region. From Rosina Ferrario, the first Italian female pilot, to Helene Dutrieu, the first woman to fly a seaplane, and Lotfia Elnadi, the first Arab woman to become a pilot – all their stories highlight incredible grit and unwavering determination. Their desire to fly motivated them to overcome the many obstacles that stood in their way. The young generation needs to know their stories and their contributions to the field of aviation, because not only is it a way to honour their fearlessness and grit – but also because their stories are a reminder that nothing is impossible. How do you believe literature, particularly children’s literature, can contribute to empowering the next generation of young women in aviation? I believe literature, especially children’s literature, can mould young minds to pursue their goals and passions with determination. Young girls today should know that they can do anything they set their mind to – and so many women did the same thing before them. Literature can introduce strong positive role models to young women at an early age. Apart from highlighting strong role models, literature can serve as a reminder to let young women know they can dream big because there is a vast world out there that awaits them. Storytelling can inspire young women to not let themselves tire at obstacles but rather to persevere and fight them and emerge victorious. What challenges did you face in your journey as a female pilot, and how do you address these challenges in your book? I set out to become a trained pilot at a young age. Being amidst much older peers was daunting at first, along with the academic requirements. My instructors were also keen that I worked for my wings the right way, and not through privilege. And at many points, I had it harder than my peers who were male. But with time I was able to rise above and go on to thrive as a pilot up in the skies because that goal was what kept me motivated. The stories I have compiled in When She Took to The Sky are stories that give me the courage to keep moving forward as a woman in aviation. I did not have any female role models to look up to when I was young and did not want that to be the case for young girls today. Your career has been filled with groundbreaking achievements. How does it feel to add ‘author’ to your list of accomplishments? Thank you. It is an honour to be an author and to be a storyteller. I hope that my work in aviation and as an author can motivate and inspire more young women to reach for the sky (literally or figuratively). Could you share some insights into your writing process, did any personal anecdotes or experiences influence the story? When I usually speak at events, I realise that many people do not know about female firsts in aviation. I observed something similar when I would sit down and converse with my family, and they were so surprised by the fact that these women go way back in aviation history. They are awed by the fact that these women had to step up and pursue their dreams and not be kept at bay. Did you know that Fiorenza De Bernardi, the first European woman (Italian) to become a commercial airline pilot, is alive to this day? This is what led me to write a book to honour and highlight these women’s stories. What advice would you give to young girls who aspire to pursue careers in aviation? I would like to tell them perseverance goes a long way, and to bravely face any obstacle they encounter. Every pilot dreams of their first solo flight and being up in the sky all alone is an extraordinary experience that will make all the hard work, and challenges worth it. There may be times when you may have to work twice as hard to make a mark, but that effort will always pay off in the end. What do you hope readers, both young and old, will take away from your book? Ultimately, I would like the main takeaway from my book to be to go after your dreams relentlessly and bravely take on challenges – both to children and adults alike. Having a dream or a goal and putting in the work to make it happen is a hugely rewarding feeling and I hope everyone who reads my book gets to experience that. This is The Authenticity Issue – what does authenticity mean to you? For me, authenticity is defined by how passionate a person is about their dreams and is keen on putting in the work to make it happen, and the kind of attitude they adopt towards making their dreams a reality. I live by the motto that your altitude is determined by your attitude, and a positive and determined attitude can take anyone to great heights. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram March’s – The Authenticity Issue with Mouawad – Download Now Images: Supplied More

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      in lifestyle and culture

      HH Sheikha Mozah Bint Marwan Al Maktoum on her journey from a pilot to an author

      by

      Life by Ruman Baig 3 hours ago In a fusion of aviation prowess and literary ambition, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Marwan Al Maktoum, Dubai’s pioneering first Royal female police pilot, has soared to new heights. With the release of her debut children’s book, ‘When She Took To The Sky,’ Sheikha Mozah is not only rewriting the rules of ambition, but she is also changing the narratives that shape young minds. Through an exclusive interview, we delve into her remarkable journey from breaking gender barriers in aviation to inspiring the next generation of young women to reach for the skies. Can you share the inspiration behind your debut children’s book? The future leaders of tomorrow – the youth. I wanted to convey my encouragement to young women to go out and pursue their dreams, and I think the best way for me to do that was to highlight the stories of inspiring female aviators throughout history. I wanted to impart courage and strength to the young women of tomorrow to chase their passions – be it aviation, or any field. As Dubai’s pioneering first Royal female police pilot, how did your experience influence the narrative of your book? My aviation journey was challenging in many ways but immensely rewarding. As a young woman entering a male-dominated field, I had to put in twice the effort compared to my male peers to make my presence felt. But it never got me down – I was motivated to put in the work and make myself stand out because ultimately, I believed in my dream to be in the sky. The stories of the women all over the world who came before me and broke the glass ceiling were so inspiring to me, and I just felt like I had to retell their stories to honour them and inspire the future generation. They were a testament to the fact that women can do anything men can do and that flying does not categorise anyone based on gender – which is something I have always believed in. What message do you hope to convey to young girls through your book, particularly in terms of breaking gender stereotypes in aviation? The sky offers limitless possibilities for all, and anyone can fly and experience that regardless of gender. I want young women to find strength and courage within the stories from When She Took To The Sky. Especially in aviation where women as a group are so underrepresented, it is important to know their history and the remarkable feats of women who were here before us – their work has led the way for more women to make their mark in aviation, including me, in more ways than one. Can you tell us about some of the remarkable female aviators you feature in your book? When She Took To The Sky consists of stories of inspiring women in aviation from the world and the region. From Rosina Ferrario, the first Italian female pilot, to Helene Dutrieu, the first woman to fly a seaplane, and Lotfia Elnadi, the first Arab woman to become a pilot – all their stories highlight incredible grit and unwavering determination. Their desire to fly motivated them to overcome the many obstacles that stood in their way. The young generation needs to know their stories and their contributions to the field of aviation, because not only is it a way to honour their fearlessness and grit – but also because their stories are a reminder that nothing is impossible. How do you believe literature, particularly children’s literature, can contribute to empowering the next generation of young women in aviation? I believe literature, especially children’s literature, can mould young minds to pursue their goals and passions with determination. Young girls today should know that they can do anything they set their mind to – and so many women did the same thing before them. Literature can introduce strong positive role models to young women at an early age. Apart from highlighting strong role models, literature can serve as a reminder to let young women know they can dream big because there is a vast world out there that awaits them. Storytelling can inspire young women to not let themselves tire at obstacles but rather to persevere and fight them and emerge victorious. What challenges did you face in your journey as a female pilot, and how do you address these challenges in your book? I set out to become a trained pilot at a young age. Being amidst much older peers was daunting at first, along with the academic requirements. My instructors were also keen that I worked for my wings the right way, and not through privilege. And at many points, I had it harder than my peers who were male. But with time I was able to rise above and go on to thrive as a pilot up in the skies because that goal was what kept me motivated. The stories I have compiled in When She Took to The Sky are stories that give me the courage to keep moving forward as a woman in aviation. I did not have any female role models to look up to when I was young and did not want that to be the case for young girls today. Your career has been filled with groundbreaking achievements. How does it feel to add ‘author’ to your list of accomplishments? Thank you. It is an honour to be an author and to be a storyteller. I hope that my work in aviation and as an author can motivate and inspire more young women to reach for the sky (literally or figuratively). Could you share some insights into your writing process, did any personal anecdotes or experiences influence the story? When I usually speak at events, I realise that many people do not know about female firsts in aviation. I observed something similar when I would sit down and converse with my family, and they were so surprised by the fact that these women go way back in aviation history. They are awed by the fact that these women had to step up and pursue their dreams and not be kept at bay. Did you know that Fiorenza De Bernardi, the first European woman (Italian) to become a commercial airline pilot, is alive to this day? This is what led me to write a book to honour and highlight these women’s stories. What advice would you give to young girls who aspire to pursue careers in aviation? I would like to tell them perseverance goes a long way, and to bravely face any obstacle they encounter. Every pilot dreams of their first solo flight and being up in the sky all alone is an extraordinary experience that will make all the hard work, and challenges worth it. There may be times when you may have to work twice as hard to make a mark, but that effort will always pay off in the end. What do you hope readers, both young and old, will take away from your book? Ultimately, I would like the main takeaway from my book to be to go after your dreams relentlessly and bravely take on challenges – both to children and adults alike. Having a dream or a goal and putting in the work to make it happen is a hugely rewarding feeling and I hope everyone who reads my book gets to experience that. This is The Authenticity Issue – what does authenticity mean to you? For me, authenticity is defined by how passionate a person is about their dreams and is keen on putting in the work to make it happen, and the kind of attitude they adopt towards making their dreams a reality. I live by the motto that your altitude is determined by your attitude, and a positive and determined attitude can take anyone to great heights. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram March’s – The Authenticity Issue with Mouawad – Download Now Images: Supplied More

    • 125 Shares

      in lifestyle and culture

      Renowned author Roxie Nafousi on the unwavering power of manifestation

      by

      Life

      by Sarah Joseph
      2 hours ago

      Roxie Nafousi, Author of MANIFEST – 7 Steps to Living your Best Life shares how you can elevate your life through the power of manifestation.
      What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?
      I always start my day by repeating a positive affirmation as soon as I wake up, I love statements such as “I am excited for the day ahead” or “I am ready to receive abundance”. Then I go and make my morning coffee, take my supplements, and if my son is still asleep then I’ll do a 30-minute workout in my living room.
      What inspired you to write the book manifest – 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life?
      Manifesting has changed my life beyond recognition. It bought me out of a very dark place in my life and turned everything around. I just knew it was part of my life’s mission, and purpose, to teach it to as many people as I could.
      Your book sheds light upon on the power of manifestation – can you expand on this?
      Manifesting is using the power of your mind to change your reality and it’s a self-development practice to live by. I think that a lot of people don’t understanding manifesting, or they are cynical to it because there are so many misconceptions around it. This book explains what manifesting really is, and how to actually make it work, in seven simple steps. It’s helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world and I hope it will continue to help even more!
      As a self-development coach what practices can everyone implement in their daily lives to reduce anxiety.
      There are lots of simple practices that can help, such as: meditation, grounding, being out in nature, journaling, yin yoga, talking to others, breath-work.

      In your book you discuss changing low-vibe emotions to high-vibe ones – can you elaborate on this?
      Low vibe emotions are those such as fear, anger, envy, guilt. These emotions are all normal to experience, but if we don’t process them or let them out, then they hold us back and stop us from attracting abundance into our lives. In my book there are many techniques that I share to help people to transform these emotions and turn them into high vibe emotions such as gratitude, love, peace, inspiration. These include language shifts you can make, how to change your perspectives and how to cultivate gratitude in an effective way. I even have a whole section dedicated to turning a low-vibe emotion to a positive one, it’s step 6 “turn envy into inspiration”.
      Many of us are processing healing of old wounds – what positive activities can help support the process?
      I am a really big advocate of seeking professional help to safely address the deep wounds that are still impacting our current reality. There are so many therapists, counsellors and all types of different healers who can support this journey. I think it is such a valuable investment.
      Your readers can document their own journey throughout the pages – can you explain why this was important?
      I wanted to create a book that the reader could use pro-actively, so I have lots of exercises within the book for people to fill out. People who listen to the audiobook often get the physical copy too so they can do this, which I think really helps the process of self-help.
      What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?
      There is so much I would tell myself. I wish I could tell my younger self that I was enough as I was, that everything was going to turn out for the best and that I should never be afraid to be myself!
      What have been the biggest challenges to date and how did you overcome them?
      I have faced many challenges during my life, and I never knew what it was to be happy until the last few years. I had no confidence or feelings of self-worth at all, and so I am truly grateful every day for the power of manifesting and how it has given me a life I could only have dreamed of, and a sense of inner peace that I truly never thought was possible.
      How important is the gratitude practice when it comes to channeling the power of manifestation?
      Step 5 of my 7 steps to manifesting is “Embrace Gratitude”. In this step, I explain that the manifesting sweet spot is ‘knowing what you want, whilst being entirely grateful for all that you already have’. When we sink into the feeling of appreciation, we attract more abundance to us. My mum used to say to me in Arabic, ‘for everything thanks you give, you get 1000 in return.’ She was right!
      This is ‘The Fearlessness Issue’ – how do you overcome your fears?
      I follow my second step of manifesting from my book, Step 2: Remove Fear & Doubt! This is the most important step of the whole manifesting process and the most significant. When we can overcome our fears, we unlock our limitless potential and become unstoppable.
      October – The Fearlessness Issue with Chaumet  – Download Now
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied Images: Photographer of standing image: Alex Hutch & Photographer of sitting image: Stella Kim More

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      Mirna Trad shares her inspiring story of choosing never to give up

      by

      Lifestyle

      by Team Emirates Woman
      1 hour ago

      IN PARTNERSHIP: Mirna Trad is an individual with an unwavering spirit, determined to succeed.
      Despite the obstacles she faced, she has gone on to write two impactful books, using her own life experiences to inspire others.
      She’s also set to launch her own skincare brand later this year. In this interview with Emirates Woman, Trad shares the highs and lows of her entrepreneurial journey and how she hopes to help others all around the world.
      Talk us through your career.
      My career started at a very young age due to financial issues in my country and family. I started as a waitress at the age of 14 and continued working in the hospitality industry until I graduated from college. I then moved into the corporate world working for hospitals and construction companies and that lead me into a managerial position, but it didn’t fulfil my potential and dreams. However, I was afraid to take the first step, but once COVID-19 started it was a sign that I needed to focus on myself and fulfil my goals. Thus, I decided to make my first dream come true – becoming an author. Due to the lockdown, I wrote my two books in a short period.
      The first book, After Midnight, is a biography of my life as a working teenager. The second is Viva, which tells the story of a young woman facing the challenges of following her dreams to success and the problems she faces with her family and society. Currently, I’m deeply committed to two important subjects I’m passionate about female empowerment in the Middle East and animal welfare which still needs a lot of education in this region.
      My plan is to organize seminars in the future, be it virtual or live, related to these two subjects. I’m also establishing my skincare brand which will be organic and cruelty-free. The brand is inspired by natural beauty and the resources of the tropical environment in countries such as Thailand and Nepal. The brand, which will be called ‘Everly Ever After’, is also dedicated to women all over the world.
      How did your childhood shape your outlook on life and approach to business?
      Since I was a teen, I was convinced that I would never achieve anything without a fight as my family’s financial situation wasn’t perfect. I was also working in the hospitality industry, especially in the night scene, in a country that takes advantage of young women that are trying to make their lives better. Thus, these situations shaped me to be a very goal-oriented person that faces any challenge head-on, trying to find the best solution to succeed. Viva is a story of a young woman facing challenges to achieve her goals to be successful and the problems she faces with her family and societal pressures. The young woman comes from a family that struggles with financial hardship. In order to escape this quickly, she marries her husband, but it ends up being an unhappy marriage. It tells the story of her finding her feet, focusing on her dreams, and believing in her potential, leading her to financial stability and independence. The choice is hard, especially for a young woman where main duty in society has been to make others happy; her parents and siblings as a young girl and then her husband and children as an adult, disregarding all her hopes and dreams.
      What inspiration do you hope people take from your books?
      My mission is to shed light on the issues that all women are facing, especially the taboo subjects that no one is highlighting in the region including depression, addictions, and the effect of “fake” social media. I am to give hope to others by sharing real stories and ideas for a brighter and more successful future for women in our region. I also hope to aim to shed light on the serious issue – one that is close to my heart – of animal cruelty that many humans neglect most of the time. The ideas explored in my books are inspired by my own experiences in life. Unfortunately, no one at the time helped me realise that I am not alone and gave me the strength I needed to continue with my fight to reach my goals, so I hope I can be that inspiration to many.
      What is a philosophy that you live by in your professional life?
      My philosophy is not to be afraid to live up to your dreams and focus only on your goals. Those who love you will be by your side and toxic individuals may try to disrupt your plans, but they will never succeed. Always trust yourself.

      What are your plans for building your own business?
      I have started this from a passion of mine which is natural skincare. Going back to our roots in nature, my brand will avoid using chemicals that are bad for our health in the long run. Thus, I started building a connection with suppliers mostly in tropical countries that are the richest when it comes to organic herbs. The brand is also focused on helping women in their communities. We are now focusing on the marketing side of the business, which focuses on the importance of using organic products, which are also cruelty-free. We aim to have our products available online before the end of 2022.

      “In my opinion an entrepreneur is one who dares to follow their dreams.”

      How has your life impacted the message you hope to share with others?
      My rough start as a teenager made me an activist for women’s rights, especially in the Middle East. It led me to write my books to highlight the issues that many women face on a daily basis. On my social media platforms, I also focus on many taboo subjects to show women they are not alone and that they will be able to make it someday. Part of my work is also dedicated- ed to my infinite love of animals since they don’t have a voice to express the injustice they face. These matters led me to base my future company on helping women and making them my suppliers, especially since I had to match it with products that are cruelty-free with no animal testing.
      Looking back over your career, can you tell us about three challenges you’ve had to overcome?
      The first and the biggest hurdle I’ve had to overcome was going against society’s rules. I’ve had to free my thoughts and forget the bad situations that I encountered as a teenager. The second is putting my feelings aside when it comes to business. As women, we can be sensitive creatures and to survive in the business world, we must be tough. Finally, the biggest challenge has been to put me first and then help others along the way because as I grow, my help will be more impactful and meaningful.
      On the opposite end of the spectrum, what have been the key milestones?
      As a writer and through my social media platforms, I have been able to help many women by sharing my experiences. I have received numerous messages sharing their experiences and their thanks. Being able to help people is the biggest milestone.
      Do you have any mentors who have helped you throughout your career?
      My inspiration has been from the strong women working in different fields. It made me think about myself, focus on becoming the person I have always dreamt of being and forget about the negative thoughts, to learn about my potential and how to develop it.
      This is The Entrepreneur Issue – what does being an entrepreneur mean to you?
      In my opinion, an entrepreneur is a person who dares to follow their dreams and will do everything in their power to make them happen.
      September’s – The Entrepreneur Issue – Download Now
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied More