Ep. 57 | The 2019 Wake-Up Call That Made Him Build Dubai's First Wellness Club

Ali Hassoun built the Middle East's first social wellness club. Inside PEAQ Dubai: ice baths, contrast therapy, hyperbaric oxygen, and why recovery works better with other people.In 2019, a stretch of personal and professional setbacks sent Ali Hassoun looking for clarity. What came out of it was PEAQ Wellness Club in Al Quoz, Dubai, the first venue in the region to put fitness, recovery, and community under one roof. In this episode Ali sits down with Mike to talk about the turning point that started it, why he thinks wellness was never meant to be a solitary routine, what it actually takes to open a members club in this city, and where PEAQ goes next as he looks at Berlin, Lisbon, and Bali.We get into cold plunges and contrast therapy, hyperbaric oxygen, breathwork and sound healing, Lagree and the Megaformer, the economics of a wellness membership model, and the brand collaborations that put PEAQ at the intersection of wellness and culture.Starting a small business is intimidating, but what happens when external forces force you to stop? Learn how to process that fear.Many entrepreneurs face immense pressure when launching a new venture, but few prepare for sudden, uncontrollable halts like the COVID-19 pandemic. This video explores the reality of building a company when the world changes overnight and how that experience can trigger intense self-doubt. It is designed for founders navigating the emotional toll of professional uncertainty.By examining this story of business failure and resilience, you will gain perspective on managing the anxiety that comes with entrepreneurship. We address the specific struggle of questioning your own decisions when external circumstances derail your progress. Understanding how to separate personal worth from business performance is a critical part of the journey.FOLLOW OUR HOSTS: Jay ➡️ https://instagram.com/jloubriel26 Mike ➡️ https://instagram.com/ifmikewashere FOLLOW LAST FLIGHT OUT PODCAST: YouTube ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@lastflightoutpodcast Website ➡️ https://www.lastflightoutpodcast.com Instagram ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/lastflightoutpodcast/ TikTok ➡️ https://www.tiktok.com/@lastflightoutpodcast Apple Podcasts ➡️ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/last-flight-out-podcast/id1711422290 iHeart ➡️ https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-last-flight-out-podcast-323371807?cmp=ios_share&sc=ios_social_share&pr=false&autoplay=trueSpotify ➡️ https://open.spotify.com/show/2xZJhd2qIw5IxV4VBQufZn