The Wellness Edit by Kamini Naik

Midzi, originally from Zimbabwe and now based in Dubai, started Deeper Beauty out of her own frustration with skincare. She struggled to find products that truly worked for her skin, particularly SPFs that didn't leave a white case. A reminder of how we're still overlooking a majority of the population in 2025. That experience pushed her to create something better: a universal, science-backed SPF that eventually grew into a full skincare line made for everyone.At first, she worried that her message of “melanin deserves more” might feel too exclusive. But by solving skincare pain points we all share, she proved that her products could connect with a much wider audience. With her background in cosmetic chemistry and her entrepreneurial experience from Careem, Midzi decided to bootstrap Deeper, choosing to focus on profitability, customer closeness, and full independence.For her, Deeper Beauty is more than skincare. It’s about carrying forward her late father’s legacy as a freedom fighter, weaving values of dignity and inclusivity into everything the brand stands for. Today, Deeper Beauty is preparing to take its message global, starting with the Gulf region.Key Takeaways● Universal skincare should cater to all skin tones and types, including effective, no white cast SPF.● Melanin-friendly formulations specifically address hyperpigmentation, a key concern for people of color.● Bootstrapping offers founders control, profitability, and sustainable growth over rapid, investment-driven expansion.● Authentic community engagement and direct feedback are essential for gaining early traction and refining your brand narrative.● Overcome entrepreneurial fear by trusting your core "why" and consistently pushing forward, especially on hard days.Guest Bio: Vimbai Midzi, a skincare Founder with a multidisciplinary background, from leading Careem’s Social and Environmental Impact work (under Corporate Affairs), sitting at the intersection of Social Impact, product management, government relations and communications across 10 markets. In her last year at Careem she led on the Groceries marketing and launch plan for Abu Dhabi. After leaving Careem as an Associate Director, she started building Deeper, a skincare company in Dubai to address the gap in effective skincare for medium to deep skin tonesReferences:●     Midzi on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vimbaimidzi/●     Deeper Beauty: https://deeperbeauty.coDeeper Beauty on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deeperbeauty.co/ 🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen.💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes:Instagram LinkedIn TikTok🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community? DM us at email [email protected] or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻

Misha Akbar’s journey has always been about resilience and finding her own voice. She grew up moving a lot—11 schools across the Middle East and India—so adapting to new places and people became second nature. But behind that constant change, she was also dealing with anxiety and depression, while cultural taboos around mental health made it hard to talk about what she was going through.During the pandemic, Misha finally connected with a therapist who really understood her cultural background. For the first time, she felt truly heard—and that changed everything. Out of that experience, she started Sama Health, an online platform built to give South Asians in the Middle East the kind of culturally relevant mental health support she wishes she’d had growing up. For Misha, it’s all about making sure no one has to feel as alone in their struggles as she once did.Key TakeawaysCulturally relevant therapy offers true validation and understanding for diverse lived experiences.Geographical depression can have a profound and lasting impact of relocating to new countries.Stigma significantly prevents South Asian men from openly discussing their mental health struggles.Founders face unique mental health challenges, often stemming from fears of failure and financial dependence.Trusting your gut and asking informed questions are crucial when choosing the right therapist.ResourcesSama Health: https://samahealth.life Sama Health on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sama_health/Misha Akbar on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mishakbar/🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen.💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes:Instagram LinkedIn TikTok🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community? DM us at email [email protected] or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻

What does it really take to build an AI platform for mental and emotional health - especially for the Middle East? In this episode, I chat with Lorand Minyo, founder of an Neveli Health. We dig into the vision, the technology, the company setup, and the cultural hurdles - while also challenging the hype and exploring what it means to truly serve users in this region.We get candid about the realities of launching in our market, and the need for honesty, humility, and nuance in tech-for-good. Whether you’re curious about AI, skeptical of bold claims, thinking of building your own health-tech here in the UAE, or just craving a real talk on emotional intelligence, this one’s for you.🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen.💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes:Instagram LinkedIn TikTok🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community? DM us at email [email protected] or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻

Why do women like Shakira Khan (Love Island UK) always get scapegoated - on TV, at work, in life? On this unfiltered UnEdit solo episode, I break down the Love Island drama, naming the uncomfortable reality: society loves to blame the 'other.' From Shakira to my own lived experience, we explore the ugly truth behind modern-day public shaming - racism, misogyny, authenticity and the endless search for a scapegoat. If you’ve ever felt othered, blamed, or bullied for simply existing, this raw chat is for you.Say hi, share your story, and let's change the narrative - one honest conversation at a time.Feedback to me, did this episode help? Do you want to see more topics like this? DM or comment below - I read them all!Kam x🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen.💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes:Instagram LinkedIn TikTok🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community? DM us at email [email protected] or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻

"We don’t rise to our goals - we fall to our standards."This week on The Wellness Edit, I sat down with Asher Kennedy, Founder of Level One Coaching, for an honest, energising conversation about health, habits, and self-leadership.We unpack why most “fitness plans” don’t stick, how to build systems that actually hold you, and why keeping it simple is sometimes the smartest move. From his thoughts on GLP-1 for long-term weight loss, to immersive therapy through fitness, Asher shares how he helps busy professionals, especially in tech, cut through the noise and transform their routines.If you’re feeling burnt out, inconsistent, or like you’ve put your own health last - this one’s for you.🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen.💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes:Instagram LinkedIn TikTok🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community? DM us at email [email protected] or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻

In this episode of The Wellness Edit, I sit down with Lamis Abualkheir - Founder of FoodSwap, the AI-powered app redefining how we navigate food choices. From cutting your restaurant meal search time from 20 minutes to 90 seconds, to helping restauranteurs tell their stories behind their brands, FoodSwap is more than just a nutrition tracker - it’s a movement toward smarter, more personalised, lifestyle without the compromise.We explore Lamis’ leap from Product Manager to Founder, how she’s building both B2C and B2B solutions, why she’s sharing her journey online, and what it means to build a food-tech ecosystem rooted in education, accessibility, and prevention-first wellness.If you’re curious about the future of food, personalised health, or what it really takes to scale in a region like the UAE - this episode’s for you.🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen.💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes:Instagram LinkedIn TikTok🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community? DM us at email [email protected] or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻

Most startups build features. I’m building a system.In this solo episode, I share why I’ve decided to structure Anaya as an Operating System (OS) - and why more early-stage founders are thinking this way.I explain what an OS model actually is (in simple terms), why it matters more than ever for multi-dimensional platforms in complex spaces like health and wellness, and how you can apply this thinking to your own business - especially if your product touches multiple use cases or user journeys.We’ll cover:What is an operating system model (beyond tech)?Why I started shifting Anaya in this directionWhen founders should (and shouldn’t) use this modelHow to apply OS thinking without bloating your roadmapThe pros, cons, and what comes nextWhether you're building a SaaS platform, healthtech solution, or a multi-layered brand, this episode will help you rethink your product architecture from the ground up.🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen.💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes:Instagram LinkedIn TikTok🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community? DM us at email [email protected] or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻

In this episode, I sit down with Vince Aidoo - founder of Sumthing New, The Digest, and The Routine Check - to dive into what it actually takes to build meaningful community in Dubai.We explore the real challenges of loneliness, disconnection, and constant movement that so many expats and founders experience in the UAE, and how Vince is using simple, in-person experiences to help people find connection again.Timestamps: [01:00] Intro to Vince & what he’s up to [01:56] What is Sumthing New, The Routine Check and The Digest [06:30] Why Vince started with a community-led approach [11:00] IRL vs digital experiences, and staying clear on your "why" [14:30] How Vince’s communities stand out from others [18:30] The psychology of what users really want [19:30] How The Routine Check came about [24:45] The future of communities and Sumthing New [30:15] Building traction and growth in the UAE - tips for building your own community [40:00] Anaya x Events - my honest take [43:30] Seasonality & unique connection opportunities in the UAE [45:00] Where to find Sumthing New & Vince onlineIf you're living in the UAE, building something here, or simply searching for real community - this one will hit home!🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen.💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes:Instagram LinkedIn TikTok🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community? DM us at email [email protected] or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻

In this episode of The Wellness Edit, I sit down with Mirna Mneimneh, the co-founder of Elggo, an edtech platform de-stigmatising the region's attitude to youth's mental health. We dive into how Elggo is changing the game for schools, bringing tailored, bitesize courses to help kids navigate their mental health with confidence and compassion. Tune in for a candid conversation about the future of mental health education and why it matters now more than ever.What we get into:[0:00] Mirna’s journey - from Beirut to building a purpose-led startup[5:00] Why 1 in 3 youth are struggling with their mental health, and how traditional schooling plays a role[12:30] How Elggo uses AI to support emotional learning, tailored to the Middle East[20:45] Breaking the silence around mental health in Arab communities[30:15] What’s next - expansion across the GCC, government partnerships, and empowering teachers + parents🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen.💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes:Instagram LinkedIn TikTok🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community? DM us at email [email protected] or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻

Pondering my journey as an expat of 3 years in this episode. Some honest advice, learnings along the way, and my future plans. What we cover:[1:00] My background in the UK and what pushed me to explore Dubai[3:00] The reality of moving post-COVID, including financial and emotional prep[7:00] My first job here, visa headaches, and how I got through those early months[12:00] Living in an Airbnb, surviving without a car, and finding a flatmate[17:00] Building real friendships in Dubai, while staying grounded with people back home[24:00] The cost of living, saving strategies, and what it’s like to bootstrap a startup here[33:00] What Dubai taught me about resilience, lifestyle, and evolving as a person[38:00] Plus - why I started this platform and how you can join the Anaya community🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen.💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes:Instagram LinkedIn TikTok🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community? DM us at email [email protected] or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻

Hello friends 🌻Thought I'd introduce myself and my "why" behind Anaya (my business), this new podcast series "The Wellness Edit" and my plans for bringing value to your eyes and ears so you can take control of your wellbeing, and lead a more fulfilling life.Can't wait to show you more 🫶🏽Kam x🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen.💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes:Instagram LinkedIn TikTok🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community? DM us at email [email protected] or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻

What does it take to build a personalised skincare brand in a region as diverse as the UAE? In this episode, Kam sits down with Dina Sidani, founder of Ilik Health, to explore the story behind her brand - from the personal frustrations that sparked the idea, to what it really means to deliver customised skincare in a market full of generic solutions and unverified wellness advice.We unpack: – The challenges of launching a health and wellness startup in the Gulf – What “personalisation” actually looks like  – Dina’s take on building trust, credibility, and building with purposeWhether you’re a skincare obsessive, an aspiring founder, or just curious about how wellness brands are evolving - this one’s for you.🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen.💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes:Instagram LinkedIn TikTok🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community? DM us at email [email protected] or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻