What inspired you to embark on your journey in presenting and anchoring? Journalism was always my passion. The most fascinating experience to me was watching the war reporters cover the first gulf war; it was our first experience with satellite television in the early 1990s as kids, and I became addicted to everything news. What are the main traits one must possess to become a News/Business anchor? Persistence, resilience, and practice, practice, practice. When it comes to business news, it’s all about delivery, not only knowing the material and understanding it but also delivering it in a way that makes the audience interested and wanting to know more while always remembering that content is king. As a Senior Business Anchor, what milestones has Asharq News reached throughout the years of your engagement with them? On the other hand, what milestones have you reached throughout the years of anchoring with Asharq? Asharq is a new channel. I have built my career over the past 20 years beginning with Abu Dhabi TV, then Al Arabiya News Channel, moving on to Dubai TV, and now with Asharq. Every one of those places was an important milestone in my career and helped shape the Journalist, Mentor, and Academic I am today. Asharq News Services is part of SRMG (Saudi Research and Media Group), one of the oldest and most profound Arab media organizations. The exclusive content agreement with Bloomberg has given us an added value worth building on to provide excellent business content for an Arabic-speaking audience. My current daily live show is called “East West” with Bloomberg, and I am so proud of the difference we are making in the Arab media scene. The reach we have is being articulated through tangible interactions that we are achieving on our many platforms. It is also essential that the work set-up is coherent, and the work ecosystem provides a productive environment to cultivate innovation and growth and creates future leaders. What are the difficulties & challenges one must prepare to face when entering the Media world? How did you overcome these challenges? The media world is very competitive, and it is hard to keep your focus and not get distracted by everything going on around you. Make sure you focus on yourself, your work, your added value, and your professional development. Always keep an open mind towards an ever-evolving industry and accept the fact that it is a learning process. The latter will help you improve and acknowledge that your contribution to the media ecosystem is significant. Remember, we are building the industry for future generations and setting the bar; our responsibility is to set it high. As an Academic teaching Journalism at the American University in Dubai, I have the privilege of interacting with a fantastic combination of youngsters eager to change the world, and bridging the gap between theory and practice helps them acquire the tools needed to handle the ecosystem. Moreover, it teaches me what the new generation is capable of and keeps me on top of what is new and trending for this generation to set better standards for the industry. Can you share some tips with our readers on enhancing their presenting skills and TV presence? First and foremost, know your material, be well-read and well-informed. Some say journalists don’t know everything about one thing, but they know at least one thing about everything; make sure what you know is the right thing to know. Be clear, concise, correct, and always practice, then practice again, then practice some more! If you are anywhere near a camera, assume it is on and recording every word and action. Don’t do or wear anything distracting on TV; people will remember that and not what you say. Don’t lean back in your chair; it will make you look unpleasant. Don’t sit up perfectly straight; you will look stiff and nervous. Keep moving your head and body a little, but don’t move your hands above your face, below your chest, or broader than your shoulders. These are some of my tips, but if you want to learn more, subscribe to one of my media training courses! How has motherhood affected you on both personal and professional levels? For years, motherhood was all that mattered to me. I forgot all that I am and who I was, and I only focused on those two tiny, intelligent people. My whole life became sidelined by theirs – something we carry with us from our culture and ancestors – while I was still juggling a career in Television and Academia. Luckily, however, I must have done something right because my kids called me out on it and pushed me to realize that my happiness in life and career was essential for them. So, I took a step back and looked at my life, and decided to be happier and more successful to make them happier and be true to who I really am. Being a mother should make us better people, and that’s precisely what I think my kids did to me. Can you tell us about your podcast? What value does it offer to women in the Arab World that other platforms cannot? The initial idea of the podcast was based on many aspects that combined my passions: women empowerment and Arabic content. Today it is an innovative digital platform where I could exercise my media experience and tell the stories of inspirational women because every one of us has a story, and each story is worth telling. It is your choice to tell your story, and it is my job to tell it well. So, my goal of inspiring youth with stories of successful women is projected in my podcast “Ahweh w Khabriyeh” with Maya Hojeij on all podcast platforms. The podcast was featured for a few months on the “New a Newsworthy” page on apple podcasts, and my previous podcast, “Rakwet Ahweh,” was on the top 10 list
Reinvention in the new paradigm with Apollonia Keys
Sitting in a treehouse in the jungle of Tulum, Mexico, you can find former nightlife & hospitality executive Apollonia Keys Martinez – Lifestyle & Reinvention Specialist – who says the key to life is focusing on your personal wellbeing & development. With a 20+ year background in developing lifestyle brands, Apollonia shares a universal view on the effects of society, business, and self in this new paradigm and how companies are now seeing the importance of investing in the overall health of an organization. The latter is done by implementing wellbeing as a key pillar to operating in high-intensity environments that need to begin from the inside out. Apollonia, formally Known as Anne-Marie, takes us on a ride through the different planes of existence, reminding us that all is connected, as above so below. Before we begin. You have recently changed your name, correct? From Anne-Marie to Apollonia? Why the name change? Yes, I did. I decided I wanted to be called by a name that I believe suits who I am today and not by the name I was given; but the one I choose to be called. When I moved to Mexico I truly embodied this new name (which I had been using for years, by the way, at the gym and at Starbucks!) and wanted to be called this as I was in the process of my own personal evolution and it felt good. What is reinvention in the new paradigm? “Reinvention in the new paradigm” is a branding formula to transform and reinvent any individual or company from the inside out. It’s about defining the SOUL purpose from a heart-centered place that weaves experiences and passions together to create, do, and have what feels right and serves the highest good of self, society, and the planet. You created Conscious Concierge Tulum that aims to apply lifestyle experiences that weave spiritual, cultural, and wellness practices to the entertainment industry. What kind of experience does this bring to practitioners? I am bridging the gap by providing a service that supports the overall wellbeing of an industry whose entire culture is built on entertaining others, therefore sometimes having no sense of reality. These experiences are designed to awaken and help heal the over-worked and over-achiever. Based on your expertise in both the global Hospitality and Entertainment industries, what measures need to be taken by the industry as the first step towards a significant sustainable change? The first step is providing employees access to wellness programs relevant to the industry they are in. For example, being a former hospitality professional came with years of long working hours, people-pleasing, and poor habits that affected my emotional and physical state. By wanting to provide stellar service to our customer experience, I neglected my own health and eventually burnt out. You’ve taken part in Oprah’s 2015 “Belief” initiative to raise awareness on global awakening and human connection. How did that experience help you through your own self-awakening journey? To be honest with you, I got that opportunity after walking into AGAPE Spiritual Center in Los Angeles when I cried in the arms of this Reverand named Caroline. Then, she invited me into her office to see her and shared her personal story, which was similar to mine. That actually opened my eyes to see I was not alone, although I felt I was. Agape Spiritual Center was founded and is led by Reverand Michael Beckwith of the book “The Secret.” Most of the community who attend are spiritual healers and lightworkers who worked in entertainment at one time or another. So, the eclectic mix of people who are all one in the same as they are all “seekers” on the path to help make this world a better place. What was the personal revelation you had that led to you embarking on this journey? What challenges did you face along the way? It was quitting my job and leaving behind the lifestyle and image I had created for myself with the fear of being forgotten if I did. But my heart knew I didn’t belong in some of the environments I was in as my spirit was yearning for deeper meaning and connection. I just didn’t think it was with myself. This was the beginning of my personal journey to self-love. Not everyone can/is open to having a moment of revelation or awakening like the one you had a few years ago; why is that? What needs to be initiated first for one to come to that realization? Aahh, well, most people are not ready to see the truth or accept it, so instead, they allow the distractions of life to keep them from ever truly living a life they deserve. For them, there is no “time” to notice that there is more to life than the material world and they keep up with this “race” to no finish line. It’s not until we are forced to stop that we are faced with looking at ourselves; most people don’t even know who they are, and when they become aware, they lose this “identity” of who they think they were. The key is to surrender, accept and then learn who you are, then learn how to love and take care of yourself, which is ultimately our only job: to be well. In what ways did your spiritual awakening affect your relationship with your clients? Well, I lost some and then gained many. I got really clear about my values and belief systems, which helped me identify the types of clients I wanted to work with. What is your secret to fusing wellness and personal development in the corporate and entertainment world? My secret is being myself. I learned a long time ago that my commitment to my growth would rely on me being my authentic self. I speak from the heart, which has nothing to do with my education or career experience. Before, I
Healthy Eating & Lifestyle for a Stronger Version of Yourself
HEALTHY EATING & LIFESTYLE FOR A STRONGER VERSION OF YOURSELF Hind Dakhil Abboud, Clinical Dietitian at AUBMC, stated that “Taking care of your body’s health and mind wellbeing is crucial and a great investment nowadays; for a stronger immunity and a better self-esteem.” She mentioned that we need to build up a solid shield to protect our bodies during this Covid-19 pandemic that is becoming endemic progressively worldwide. This shield is mainly based on a healthy muscle mass, a sufficient nutrient intake to prevent malnutrition, and an adequate lifestyle. The lifestyle “puzzle” is composed of several “pieces,” all essential equally. These parts are a healthy dietary pattern, adequate hydration, sufficient quality sleep, less stress, avoidance of smoking, moderate alcohol intake, food safety, and body hygiene, and mainly physical activity. More than 2000 years ago, Hippocrates stated: “Let Food be the Medicine and Medicine be the Food.” There is no “one size fits all” approach in nutrition. We are all unique with different bodies, goals, backgrounds, and tastes. Thus, let’s personalize our plate smartly. Make it colorful and full of antioxidants and nutrients from all food groups. In fact, whole foods rich in antioxidants and fibers act as medicine to heal and protect our body and boost our immune system. However, when our body is fueled with processed foods, chemicals, preservatives, and additives, our immune system is weakened, and our digestive system slows down. An easy way to prevent diseases and cure ailments is following a healthy dietary pattern such as the Mediterranean diet. This dietary pattern emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, and legumes; it includes low-fat or fat-free dairy products, fish, poultry, non-tropical vegetable oils, and nuts. According to the American Heart Association, it also limits added sugars, sugary beverages, sodium, highly processed foods, refined carbohydrates, saturated fats, and fatty or processed meats. Hydration is vital. Drinking at least 6 to 8 cups of water per day is essential. Exercise is a significant component as well. Staying active at least 30 minutes per day can make a big difference. Eventually, it would be best if you learned to respond to your body cues: When you are thirsty, drink! When you are hungry, eat! When you are sleepy, sleep! When you are tired, rest! Don’t let food intake be a response to any of your body’s cues because this emotional eating act based on “comfort food,” usually rich in sugar, salt, and fats can make us gain weight from fats. Believe that you can do it, and you will reach your goals properly. Following a healthy lifestyle is a mindset approach! To know more about SohatWSahtein, visit this link.
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