logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
52m 57s

From Poverty To Fame: The Story of Overc...

SHEEN GURRIB
About this episode

In this episode, we have the incredible Chanel Ayan. You might know her as the feisty character from Real Housewives of Dubai but on this episode we had a very unique chat. Ayan opened up about her difficult childhood, educated us all about female genital mutilation (FGM) as a survivor herself, and we talked about embracing success while balancing family responsibilities. I loved this conversation, and I am sure you will too, tune in!

00:00:00 Introduction

00:06:08 Overcoming Childhood Adversity: From Border Village to City Life

00:12:00 Breaking the Silence on Childhood Trauma

00:17:35 Cultural Expectations and Marriage Traditions

00:23:19 Embracing Individuality and Self-Worth in the Fashion Industry

00:29:05 Balancing Fame and Friendship

00:35:08 The Joy of Giving and Family Responsibilities

00:40:53 Reality TV Drama: Behind the Scenes

00:46:51 Embracing Life and Self-Confidence


More about Ayan:

https://www.instagram.com/chanelayan/?hl=en

https://ayanbeauty.com/


Learn more about FGM:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-genital-mutilation

Learn more about our yellow mugs from PEN:https://www.professionellenetwork.com/

🎬 Thank you to Poddster for their beautiful studio and team where this episode was recorded: https://dubai.poddster.com/ 🎵 Where I get my Music -https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/uot8qa/ 💌 Come and say hi to me: https://www.instagram.com/sheengurrib 🌍 Watch my TEDx talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl-mqB1_1co 📝 My blog and website - https://www.sheengurrib.com/blogs Who am I: I am Dr. Sheen Gurrib and I want to play my part in supporting the next generation of empowered women. I am an entrepreneur, ex-strategy consultant, adjunct lecturer and content creator and the first Mauritian girl to have gone to both Oxford and Cambridge universities.

Up next
Sep 29
Are You Reading the Quran Wrong? Understanding vs. Recitation with Dr. Saquab Ashraf
In this episode of Dream, Girl, I sit down with Dr. Saquab Ashraf, founder of CEI UK and my former teacher from Oxford’s Quran Club. We revisit the memories that shaped my own approach to reading the Quran, explore the origins of Q Club, and discuss why stories like Surah Yusuf r ... Show More
49m 24s
Sep 23
Can Women Have It All? Sarrah Barakat
In this episode, we sit down with Sarrah Barakat, a leader at Merck who has worn multiple hats across her career. From breaking barriers in corporate environments to navigating motherhood, fertility, and health conversations at work, Sarrah opens up with honesty and depth. She sh ... Show More
58m 55s
Sep 15
If you Need to Change your Mindset around Money, this video is for you | Sina Port
In this episode, we sit down with Sina Port to unpack what it really means to build a feminine business, one rooted in ease, authenticity, and personal power. From her early money mindset to leaving Germany in search of new opportunities, Sina shares the failures that shaped her, ... Show More
48m 41s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2021
Myrna Trad Haddad's After Midnights: Fighting Fears and Struggles for a New Tomorrow.
This is the first episode of our brand-new series: “Features by Unlimited” where we present young and emerging talents, giving them a voice and sharing awareness around their stories and enterprises.Today I'm pleased to welcome Myrna Trad Haddad, the author of the new book, After ... Show More
23m 43s
Feb 2025
Turning Pain into Purpose, with Loren Ridinger
In this episode, I sit down with Loren Ridinger—a powerhouse entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and co-founder of Market America. Loren and her husband, JR Ridinger, built a global empire, empowering thousands of entrepreneurs to achieve financial independence. But when she lost ... Show More
36m 35s
Sep 16
From Radio Star to Gen-X Founder: Lauren’s Inspiring Dubai Story
Imagine leaving behind a 23-year radio career to start over in a new country.In this episode of Dubai Stars, we sit down with Lauren, a former UK radio presenter who built a unique business in Dubai for kids aged 9–14.From falling out of love with radio, to discovering a gap no o ... Show More
27m 48s
Apr 2023
Mariam Elhouli on the skills to overcome struggle, resilience and self love
Have you always wanted to pursue an e-commerce business but have no idea where to start or are scared to fail and lose all your money? Mariam Elhouli is an entrepreneur, author, business coach and a mother of 5 who has persisted through failure to grow her successful e-commerce b ... Show More
29m 2s
Mar 2025
SLP 458: The Gift Of Being YOU with Dr Shari Hall
‘He always, no matter where I was, or no matter where he was, because I didn’t actually live with him for a lot of my life because my mum had separated from him… but he always, always reminded me of who I am. And ‘I am’ are as you would know are two of the most powerful words in ... Show More
1h 13m
Feb 2025
AMOL RAJAN: NOTHING CAN PREPARE YOU FOR THE DEATH OF A PARENT
Amol Rajan is a master of tough conversations - from conducting Phillip Schofield’s first interview to speaking to the likes of Novak Djokovic, Richard Branson and Greta Thunberg. However, I never imagined that I would find my conversation with Amol so challenging for myself, eff ... Show More
1h 4m
Aug 27
Failure Throwback: Jameela Jamil
Jameela Jamil is an actor, activist, and founder of the I Weigh movement. From teaching English to starring in The Good Place, Jameela shares the highs, lows, and radical honesty that define her journey. This episode first went out in February 2021. We talk about: Her struggle to ... Show More
58m 34s
Jul 22
DAVID GANDY: HOW EMBRACING IMPOSTER SYNDROME CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
I’ve sadly never been heralded for my fashion sense but one man who definitely has, is David Gandy. He’s one of the most successful international male models, standing out in an industry where very few men have reached his level of fame and house-hold recognition. David didn’t pl ... Show More
1h 1m
Feb 2025
The Prescription for More Joy, Deeper Relationships, and Letting Go Of Perfection with Dr. Tiffany Moon
What if everything you’ve worked for still doesn’t bring you happiness? In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Tiffany Moon, an anesthesiologist, entrepreneur, and former Real Housewives of Dallas star. She opens up about her journey from growing up as the daughter of immigrants ... Show More
1h 3m
Apr 2025
366. How to Have it ALL: Embodied Success In Love & Business w/ Aurika Valan
What if your nervous system was the key to unlocking sustainable success in both love and business?In today’s episode of The Feminine Frequency, I’m joined by somatic business and intimacy coach Aurika Valan for a deep and enlivening conversation about the nervous system, identit ... Show More
44m 42s