Guest: Abdulla AlShehhi, First Emirati Runner to complete all 6 World Major Marathons, Brand Ambassador of Under Armour Middle East, Runner for VitaminwellUAE & has completed 15 marathons

Date: 09th May, Time: 15:30 GST

Contact info for Abdulla AlShehhi

Instagram: @abdullabinhajar Ambassador @underarmourme
Runner @vitaminwelluae Summary of the conversation - Abdulla AlShehhi, the First Emirati Runner to complete all 6 World Major Marathons, shared insights into his journey during the podcast.

- He recounted his upbringing in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, and how he turned to running to overcome overweight and lead a healthier lifestyle.

- Reflecting on his first 10km event in 2014, he expressed his passion for running, often accompanied by his love for coffee.

- Abdulla described the euphoria and mental clarity he experiences after a good run, likening it to a healthy drug that clears his mind and leaves him feeling positive.

- Recalling his first marathon experience at the Dubai Marathon, Abdulla highlighted the importance of gradual progression in training and event participation.

- He discussed the significance of completing 6 World Major Marathons, including Berlin, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, London, and Boston, and the support he received from his family and community throughout his journey.

- Emphasizing the importance of setting goals, visualizing success, and listening to his body, Abdulla shared his favorite marathon experiences, particularly Tokyo, for its unique atmosphere.

- Despite facing challenges during the New York Marathon, Abdulla pushed through fatigue and proudly raised the UAE flag at Central Park.

- He expressed his admiration for fellow runners and his commitment to continuing his global marathon journey.

- Sharing insights into his training routine, diet, and role as a brand ambassador for Vitamin Wells, Abdulla stressed the importance of recovery, stretching, and quality sleep.

- Looking ahead, he plans to tackle ultra marathons and obstacle course races.

- Representing Under Armour resonates with Abdulla's personal values, alongside his passion for Anime, music, and favourite Under Armour gear.

- He concluded by offering advice and encouragement to the UAE running community, emphasizing perseverance and balance in pursuit of their goals. He also stressed the importance of believing in yourself.

Thank you for the podcast.

Guest: Alaa Akawi Episode Name: Beyond Boundaries, From Grit to Greatness: Alaa Akawi's Adventures in OCR, Hybrid Fitness, and Beyond

Host: RA George (The Race Space Podcast)

Contact info for Alaa Akawi

Instagram - @alaa_akawi https://tinyurl.com/yj5vjrh8

Artology Creative - A creative video content production boutique in Dubai

IG @artologycreativedxb https://tinyurl.com/2u9s7ybh

Website - https://artologycreative.com/

email - info@artologycreative.com

Summary of the conversation

• Alaa Akawai, a top-tier athlete, discussed his upbringing, breakdancing passion, and OCR journey on the Race Space Podcast.

• He highlighted his transition from OCR to Hybrid Fitness, emphasising the importance of a positive mindset and feeling good during workouts.

• Alaa shared insights on different UAE OCR events like the Desert Warrior Challenge, Spartan Race, Tough Mudder, and Ice Warrior Challenge.

• Project 19:59, Alaa's accomplishment, was discussed along with fellow athletes, trainers, and coaches.

• He stressed the need for OCR directors to revamp the sport to reignite enthusiasm among athletes.

• Alaa explained Hybrid Fitness and its distinction from OCR, focusing on feeling good during workouts.

• His podium finish at the Hyrox event in Dubai was detailed, including family support and coach guidance.

• Alaa shared training strategies, peak performance identification, and preparation for the upcoming Hyrox event in Qatar.

• He recounted a challenging moment at a DEKA FIT event and how he overcame it.

• The importance of sleep, nutrition tips, and the role of coffee in his routine were discussed.

• Alaa's venture, Artology Creative, was explained, emphasizing the significance of video and animated content in 2024.

• He shared insights on AI's impact on Artology Creative and highlighted business areas the company focuses on.

• Alaa's passion for breakdancing, inspiration, and final words to listeners were also covered, along with his participation in the Primal Race.

Thank you for the podcast.

Guest: Dana Matar

Episode Name: Beyond the Trail, Summiting Peaks & Inspiring Lives Through Trail Running

Guest: Dana Matar

Host: RA George (The Race Space Podcast)

Contact info for Dana Matar

Instagram: @dana.runsultras ⁠https://tinyurl.com/2j4vet9a⁠

Co-founder and director of Peak Sports

Peak Sports website: ⁠https://peakssports.com/⁠

Peak Sports WhatsApp group - ⁠https://chat.whatsapp.com/JK3wPAZ8mPlLUvTq1FtPPO⁠

Email ⁠info@peakssports.com⁠

• Al Qudra Trail Race 22 March 2024 - Registration Link here ⁠https://my.raceresult.com/279812/⁠

• Use the code QUDRA15 to avail of the voucher discount valid until March 15.

• Shawka Hump Race 04th Edition - 03rd November 2024

⁠Women Play Sports⁠ featuring Dana Matar: “Endurance Unleashed”

⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssZTQhKGang⁠

Summary of the conversation

• Dana, extended a warm welcome to listeners, acknowledging the beginning of Ramadan Kareem.
• She advised listeners to prioritize listening to their bodies and focusing on better health during Ramadan.
• Dana shared her journey from being an architect to pursuing ultra-running events with her company, Peak Sports Events, after moving to Dubai over a decade ago.
• She discussed how she merged her passion and skills effectively.
• Dana recounted her active childhood, which included scouting and hiking.
• She shared her experiences in ultra trail running, highlighting two particularly memorable events.
• Dana discussed the challenges and rewards of trail running in Oman.
• She expressed her aspirations in ultra running, including completing a 100-mile run.
• Dana talked about the history of Peak Sports and mentioned her co-founder, Samer, who also founded Trail Running DXB.
• She shared the principles of trail running and its positive impact on the community.
• Dana discussed the Showka Hump Race in Wadi Showka, UAE, emphasizing safety measures and the evolution of the event.
• She outlined the requirements for ultra running and information provided during race briefings.
• Dana mentioned her incorporation of architectural skills into event organization.
• She talked about the GOAT Trail races in Dubai, including race formats and international participation.
• Dana discussed challenges faced during event organization, such as border security checks.
• She shared details about upcoming events at Al Qudra and Peak Sports' tracking system.
• Dana offered predictions for event finishing times and discussed the influence of coaching on performance.
• She shared tips for mental resilience and compared local and overseas athletes.
• Dana offered advice for creating dominant world champions in ultra trail running and emphasized the importance of athlete feedback and branding.
• She discussed her passion for music and offered advice to aspiring athletes.
• Dana expressed thoughts on accepting cryptocurrencies for event payments.
• She concluded the podcast by thanking the community for their support in her trail running journey.

Thank you for the podcast

Episode Name: Redefining Limits: Rajeev Kumar's Journey through OCR, Hybrid Fitness, and Beyond

Host: RA George (The Race Space Podcast)

Guest: Rajeev Kumar

Date: 27th Feb & Time: 19:00 GST

Instagram @raje3vkumar ⁠https://tinyurl.com/4c5w8934⁠

Summary of the conversation

• Rajeev began by providing insights into his fitness journey, highlighting his background in Boxing and MMA.
• He recounted his transition into Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) and how he was introduced to the sport.
• Volunteering experiences led him to join OCR Nation, a significant community in the OCR realm.
• We explored Dubai and UAE's proactive role in hosting world championship OCR events.
• Rajeev delineated his training regimen for OCR events, contrasting it with preparations for Hyrox events.
• He detailed his pre-race routines spanning months, weeks, and the event day itself.
• Emphasizing his focus on a forthcoming Hyrox event in Qatar, he elucidated the unique nature of Hybrid events.
• Mobility training's importance in enhancing performance was underscored by Rajeev.
• Acknowledgments were extended to OCR Empire and Xtreme Endurance team for their pivotal role in his journey.
• Rajeev shared a compelling narrative of resilience during a Kayaking event, drawing parallels to his OCR endeavors.
• His experiences in OCR have translated positively into his personal life.
• We delved into the training ethos of world champions affiliated with OCR Empire.
• Rajeev's shift from relying solely on strength to employing technique in OCR was discussed.
• Being part of OCR Empire has significantly contributed to Rajeev's athletic development.
• He recounted challenging moments during AOGE events in Liwa, Abu Dhabi, stressing the importance of teamwork and mental fortitude.
• We explored the perseverance displayed by Rajeev amidst adversity, contrasting it with international athletes who withdrew from events.
• Rajeev shared a hallucination experience during a grueling 60-hour event.
• Athletes completing AGOGE events followed by Spartan World Championships were analyzed.
• The variety of OCR events Rajeev has participated in was discussed, along with his preferences.
• Distinctions between World Championship and regular OCR events were highlighted.
• Rajeev proposed potential locations for future Spartan Race World Championship events.
• His younger fitness companion's journey and inspirational impact within her peer group were explored.
• Rajeev advocated for introducing fitness to children early on, citing its benefits for mental and physical well-being.
• We delved into the nuances of training for Hybrid events compared to OCR.
• Rajeev shared his experiences in Hyrox events in Dubai, contrasting solo and double event formats.
• Plans for future events, including one in Qatar, were outlined.
• The unique Highlander hiking event was discussed, with Rajeev reflecting on memorable moments and offering constructive feedback.
• His passion for music was highlighted as a source of motivation and focus.
• Rajeev's adept handling of surprise questions underscored the role of personal experiences in building mental resilience.

Thank you for the podcast. For feedback and suggestions, send us an email to info@blockchaindxb.com

Guest: Veejay Jones is a Multiple Spartan World Champion & Youngest champion at the age of 16

Host: RA George (The Race Space Podcast) Date: 15th Feb & Time: 04:00 pm MST

Contact information Veejay Jones

Veejay Jones - @veejay_jones http://tinyurl.com/3dvkehnd

RPT Athletic Co @rptathletic http://tinyurl.com/rrvakf8f

Website https://www.veejayjones.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/veejay.jones.7/

YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@veejay_jones

Last Dance - http://tinyurl.com/2jbe6cd8

Summary of the conversation:

• Veejay outlines his training regimen for the Tough Mudder Infinity event in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, emphasizing a focus on higher volume due to the team relay format.

• Reflecting on his fitness journey from a young age, Veejay shares various accolades and experiences, including his first encounter with OCR at the Rugged Maniac event.

• Displaying unwavering confidence in his abilities, Veejay discusses his numerous podium finishes and shares insights into his favorite and most memorable race in Seattle, highlighting his ability to overcome obstacles and remain competitive.

• Veejay discusses his team dynamics and strategies for winning the event, along with insights into his training regime focusing on shoulder strength and avoiding overtraining.

• Expressing his obsession with winning, Veejay shares details about his gear, nutrition, and upcoming participation in the Dubai Gov Games, following the Tough Mudder event.

• Veejay offers thoughts on prize amounts, future events in the Middle East, and the promotion of OCR regionally and internationally.

• He suggests making OCR events more spectator-friendly and emphasizes the power of storytelling to garner attention for the sport.

• Predicting his team's performance at the event, Veejay shares experiences from past championships and offers advice to aspiring athletes focusing on longer distances.

• Sharing insights into his nutrition regimen and social media engagement strategy, Veejay discusses his involvement in various OCR events and initiatives such as "Last Dance" and RPT Athletics.

• Veejay discusses his partnership for the Beer Mile and provides insights into handling failure and doubt, including answering a question posed by AI about his performance.

• Delving into his collaboration with industry figures like Richard Diaz and Matt B Davies, Veejay highlights the importance of mentorship and community engagement in nurturing world-class athletes.

• Lastly, Veejay discusses the role of the UAE and MENA region in fostering athletic excellence and shares details about his personal fitness challenges and ventures.

Host: RA George (The Race Space Podcast)

Guest: Ryan Atkins, Canadian Endurance athlete, climber, cyclist, OCR, World Champion. Passionate about being outside & pushing boundaries and redefining limits

Date 13th Feb, 07:00 pm EST (04:00 am GST)

Contact details for Ryan Atkins

Instagram: @ ryanatkinsdiet http://tinyurl.com/2xt24w3h

Facebook http://tinyurl.com/37dj6rvm

Noxcoach https://nox.coach/

Summary of the conversation:

• We discussed Ryan's degree in Mechanical Engineering and his early days before getting into OCR.
• Reminisced about his inaugural OCR experience in 2012, marking the start of his winning streak in OCR events, including Tough Mudder where he clinched the World’s Toughest Mudder title thrice.
• Shared personal insights, including family ties to Saudi Arabia and detailed methods for evaluating his performance.
• Highlighted the risks and signs of Over Training Syndrome (OTS), emphasizing its variability among individuals and the importance of gauging peak performance metrics
• Reflected on race experiences, including participation in Spartan World Championship events in Abu Dhabi and comparisons of post-race villages in Al Wathba to other locations.
• Discussed his Noxcoach program aimed at grooming aspiring athletes.
• Stressed the significance of maintaining a positive outlook and adapting to unforeseen challenges to enhance performance.
• Previewed the Tough Mudder Infinity AlUla event and shared thoughts on the announced record prize money.
• He provided suggestions for improving OCR globally and in the Middle East, expressing a preference for longer-distance events over shorter ones.
• Discussed the use of non-fitness influencers in promoting OCR and shared favourite events worldwide.
• Delved into cultural experiences in the UAE, interest in Gov Games, and the Spartan Ultra in Morzine.
• Offered strategies for developing world-class athletes in the UAE and MENA region, along with advice for Tough Mudder AlUla participants.
• Shared expectations for the upcoming Spartan World Championship.
• Discussed challenges and motivations, including a love-hate relationship with certain obstacles, interest in Hybrid events, and thoughts on the Barkley Marathon.
• He mentioned his running mate for the Beer Mile and his passion for music.
• Wrapped up with final advice for aspiring athletes and humble aspirations for remembrance.

Thank you for the podcast. For feedback or suggestions send u an email to theracespacepodcast@gmail.com