on: becoming with Mohamed Fadel

Omar Ghanem is a master storyteller. He’s the co-founder and CEO of Blue Planet Production, a storytelling media house, and a university academic. He’s been passionate about photography, videography and storytelling since a young age and has worked on all sorts of projects since.He explains:🟦 The difference between videographers and storytellers🟦 What most filmmakers get wrong🟦 What it takes to get started as a storyteller🟦 The challenges you have to overcome to make it in production space in Egypt🟦 How to create content that lasts beyond you(00:00) Intro(01:07) How to Tell a Story from One Single Frame(04:01) The 3 Cameras: The Story of the 1st Camera(06:59) National Geographic Passion & Scripted Content(09:22) The 3 Cameras: The Story of the 2nd Camera(11:50) Awards, Validation and Signs(14:26) The Story Behind the Storyteller(20:43) What is a Mini Documentary and Showcasing Emotions(22:35) Difference Between Videographers and Storytellers(25:58) Working for Free(28:53) What is Storytelling and its Structure?(30:12) The Favorite Story(35:36) What Most Filmmakers Get Wrong(39:13) Challenges in the Field of Media Production(42:34) The 3 Cameras: Going Back to Analog(46:20) AI Taking Over Videography(49:00) Teaching as a Calling(51:40) Staying 5 Years on 1 Project(53:38) Your Content is Your Legacy(56:48) Advice to New Storytellers(58:57) ClosingIf you're an aspiring filmmaker and storyteller; then this episode is for you.Thanks for listening—please don't forget to follow!—Where to find Omar⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠CompanyFor more from on:becoming⁠Follow on Instagram⁠ 📷⁠Stay up to date on ꚠ TikTok⁠⁠Go behind the scenes on Substack⁠⁠Watch on YouTube⁠

Ahmed Sultan is a born-to-be entrepreneur. He started young and failed a few until he found his big break: Airzone. He’s the co-founder of Airzone, a family entertainment business and also Rough Gear for Sportswear.He explains:🟦 What highly successful people have in common🟦 What it takes to make it as an entrepreneur🟦 The difference between entrepreneurs in the west and the east🟦 Whether you should have a plan b or be all in🟦 When to give up or to persist with ideas you believe in(00:00) Intro(01:01) A Passion for Entrepreneurship(05:16 The First Failure & How Everything Started(09:11 What is Airzone and Its Mission(15:52 Follow Passion or Money?(17:20 When to Kill a Project/Company?(20:33 Going After Innovation Even When The World Disagrees(25:10 The Mindset of Outliers(31:02 Faith & Belief That Things Happen for a Reason(34:09 Should You Have a Plan B or Burn The Ships?(37:11) 3 Characteristics of Highly Successful People(40:01) The East from the West, An Egyptian Silicon Valley(44:56) Learnings from Failure(49:34) A Reflection on Hard Moments(54:14) Being All Hands On Deck in a Startup in the Early Days(56:40) A Take on Money and Savings(01:03:08) ClosingIf you're an entrepreneur or if you’re passionate about an idea; then this episode is for you.Thanks for listening—please don't forget to follow!–Where to find Yehia⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Company Website⁠For more from on:becoming⁠Follow on Instagram⁠ 📷⁠Stay up to date on ꚠ TikTok⁠⁠Go behind the scenes on Substack⁠⁠Watch on YouTube⁠

Sandra William is an executive and life coach whose path to her calling took her through some of the world's most prestigious institutions and demanding environments. Saudi-raised and AUC-educated, Sandra built her early career on the belief that top-down change creates the greatest impact—a conviction that led her to consulting at Bain, with stints in Dubai and Los Angeles, where she worked 15-18 hour days before realising something was missing.After a pivotal period at Columbia Business School, she discovered her true passion: empowering people professionally and personally. She went on to launch a successful mindfulness initiative at Bain before taking the leap to start her own coaching practice in 2024, DAO. Now based in Egypt, Sandra works with B2B SMEs, executives leading scaling businesses, and professionals navigating career transitions—delivering both one-on-one coaching and high-demand workshops that have quickly become her signature offering.She explains:🟦 What Are The 3 Core Triggers People Experience When Receiving Feedback🟦 How to Give Feedback Without Triggering Others🟦 How Failure Is Necessary to Grow and Become Better🟦 If People Can Change - And If They Even Should🟦 What Good Leadership Looks Like🟦 How to Hire and Fire People Right🟦 The Difference Between Being Kind and Being Nice(00:00) Intro(00:54) A Sense of Belonging and Being A Forever Expat(04:27) Identity: How We Identify Ourselves(09:23) The 3 Feedback Triggers(15:37) How to Give Feedback Without Triggering Others(20:46) What Makes a Great Manager(25:00) Can Manager/People Change? And Should They?(34:00) The Law of Attraction(35:42) For the Love of Failure(43:34) Difference Between Corporates and Startups(48:01) The 3 Components of Hiring (Airplane Test)(52:51) Hiring for Talent or Culture Fit?(55:57) Can You (And Should You) Fire People?(01:00:20) The Difference Between Kindness and Niceness(01:02:36) Toxic People in Workplaces(01:05:25) Psychological Safety and Fear of Quitting Bad Jobs(01:07:32) How to Guarantee The Interview Despite Short Experiences on Your CV?(01:09:47) Pain & Gain Model: How To Decide To Quit Your Job(01:12:49) Gratitude(01:15:13) Closing: Deepest Fears and AspirationsIf you're into everything leadership and growth; then this episode is for you.Thanks for listening—please don't forget to follow!–Where to find Sandra⁠LinkedIn⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Company Website⁠For more from on:becoming⁠Follow on Instagram⁠ 📷⁠Stay up to date on ꚠ TikTok⁠⁠Go behind the scenes on Substack⁠⁠Watch on YouTube⁠

Yehia is the co-founder and CEO of INVIA. He started in investment banking, corporate finance, and private equity, but found his real passion in supporting small and medium-sized businesses. He’s the ex-CEO and also the co-founder of Beltone SME. Today, he’s building tools that help SMEs survive and grow in a challenging economy.This is how Yehia describes himself, outside the common titles:“If I’m not working, you’ll probably find me training, trying something new, or listening to music. I love discovering new artists — music helps me reset and gain perspective. I’m also into surfing and spending time outdoors. Growth is important to me, whether that means pushing my limits or simply becoming better each year.”He explains:🟦 Why the SME Market is Underserved and What They Need Today to Make It🟦 What Revenue Based Financing Really Is🟦 How He Overcame What The World Expected of Him🟦 The Mindset of Being an Athlete and a Tennis Player🟦 How To Embrace One’s Individuality and Be True To Yourself(00:00) Intro(01:26) The Human Behind the Title(04:52) Impact for Small Businesses(06:24) What is Revenue Based Finance(09:19) SME Rights & Reality(15:09) The Personal Why and Driver(18:20) Retirement Plans(19:31) Views on Philanthropy(22:04) Being Oneself(25:04) Being an Athlete and Tennis Player(28:58) Reflection on being a CEO(31:50) Fear + Fear of Failure(36:03) Risk Appetite Between the East and the West(37:41) Judgement and Overcoming Depression(42:49) Perks of Running a Company(44:17) The One Skill to Hire For(45:19) Tech and Trends - The WHOOP Effect(49:01) A Reflection on Life(53:21) Deepest Fear(55:30) The Dream & BecomingIf you're anything like me and you’re into personal discovery, becoming a better version of yourself, and you’re looking to better yourself; then this episode is for you.Thanks for watching—please don't forget to follow!–Where to find YehiaLinkedIn | Instagram | Company WebsiteFor more from on:becomingFollow on InstagramStay up to date on TikTokGo behind the scenes on SubstackWatch on YouTube

Mostafa Hisham is a marketer and creative by trade, but that's not all that defines him. 10 years ago, together with a couple of friends, he started iVolunteer, an initiative to help people help people. He realised the effect helping others had on him and he wanted to help others feel it too. Ever since, his initiative engages over 4,000 volunteers every year and helps thousands across Egypt along the way.He explains:🟦 How volunteering helped him get over hard times in his life🟦 How to build a low-commitment volunteering model that actually works🟦 What volunteering adds to people🟦 The misconceptions people have about volunteering and philanthropy🟦 How and where to volunteer and donate🟦 The dark side behind volunteering that no one sees(00:00) Intro(01:10) Background and Life Purpose(06:06) How Community Work Started(09:15) How Helping Others Helps Oneself(12:33) Relationships in Volunteer Work(14:32) Scale and Empathy to the World(18:21) Showcasing Community Work(20:46) Community Work & Feeling Safe(26:11) How to Get into Community Work(28:04) Volunteer Psychology(29:40) Creating a Working Volunteering Model(40:01) Philanthropy, Impact and Scale(44:27) The Dark Side of Philanthropy (50:18) How to Decide Where to Donate(52:41) The Boring Side of Volunteering(54:32) The “Becoming” in Philanthropy(59:22) ClosingIf you're anything like me, if you've ever thought about the ins and outs of community work, then this episode is for you.Thanks for watching—please don't forget to subscribe!

Ahmed Samir is an engineer, entrepreneur, and business leader whose career has been defined by building ventures, navigating complex markets, and developing a strong voice on international trade and political affairs. Over time, his practical experience in business and strategy brought him beyond the boardroom and into the public conversation through broadcast and media platforms.He explains:🟦 How The Political Landscape Is Changing and Egypt's Role🟦 Egypt's Contribution and Context During the Past Decade🟦 How to Handle Imposter Syndrome🟦 Being a TV Personality and Handling It Together With His Job🟦 How Negative Things In Life Are Blessings In Disguise(00:00) Intro(02:56) Range and Human Differences(05:47) Imposter Syndrome(09:11) Judgement(11:52) Going After Passion or Money(17:42) Where Egypt Stands(22:53) Measures of Success in Business and Life(26:44) Bad Bosses(33:00) Luck and Getting Into TV(37:51) Trump Didn’t Leave the World Alone(40:11) Success is the Perception of Others(41:01) Where Egypt is Headed(47:35) Ambitions and Aspirations(50:36) Company Problems are Human Problems(55:14) Ego, Its Role, and Its Consequences(56:35) Fears and How to be RememberedIf you're anything like me, if you're into entrepreneurship and always wonder where the world is headed, then this episode is for you.Thanks for listening—please don't forget to follow!

Farida El-Shennawy is an expert baker and pastry chef. She dropped out of university and moved to NYC to study at the Institute of Culinary Education, to follow what she believed to be a great business opportunity. She's the founder of The Finery Kitchens and an F&B consultant.She explains:🟦 What it takes to succeed in F&B🟦 The unethical and malicious practices she sees in the industry🟦 What's it like being a female chef in a male dominated industry🟦 How unrealistic most people are when deciding to open F&B ventures🟦 What it requires to build a successful kitchen(00:00) Intro(00:56) Entrepreneurship sucks the life out of you(02:02) F&B never loses perception(03:40) Are founders in F&B happy?(04:33) How to create proper movement management(06:53) Being a Chef and How to Hire(11:28) Nobody Will Stop Eating(15:10) Should Anyone Open a Restaurant(21:50) Least Amount of Money Needed to Open a Restaurant(30:15) Should Anyone Get Into F&B(32:49) The Aggregators Malicious Practices(46:18) Why Restaurants Quality Goes Down(49:46) How to Work on Oneself(57:26) How Makes Good Food Great(01:00:17) Being on Million Pound Menu(01:05:11) Who is Farida El Shennawy?(01:10:20) What is Becoming?If you're anything like me, if you're into food and businesses—or you think restaurant owners have it easy, then this episode is for you.Thanks for listening—please don't forget to follow!

Sara El Awdan is one of the few females in Egypt and the region who has been able to really become a powerful figure in the fitness industry. She's not only a fitness coach, but an athlete herself and a marketing expert. She explains:🟦 What's it like being a female in a male dominated industry🟦 How to really fix your eating habits and build a healthy lifestyle🟦 Her experience as an athlete and how to mentally prepare and be resilient🟦 Why she focuses on empowering females specifically🟦 Her struggle with people judging what they can't understand(00:00) Intro(01:07) Running Ironmans and Being an Athlete(12:45) Who is Sara El Awdan?(16:00) Judgement and How it Feels(21:50) Prioritization and Signal(27:10) Perception about Marketing(30:00) Need for Fitness Coaches and Diets(35:00) Working in High Stress Environments(36:41) Ozempic: Yes/No?(39:00) Building Mental Resilience(40:49) How to Manage Eating and Exercise in Ramadan(44:44) All or Nothing Mindset(49:45) ClosingIf you're anything like me, if you're into fitness and health—or you're overcoming unbelievable odds and defying expectations, then this episode is for you.Thanks for listening—please don't forget to follow!

Karim Hemdan shares what most founders don’t want to hear.Building a startup isn’t about ego.It’s not about headlines.And it’s definitely not about quick money.It’s about responsibility.We unpack:Founder readinessVenture capital fundamentalsCommunity as a long-term structurePersonal rock bottomAnd what “success” really meansA raw and honest conversation.كريم حمدان بيشارك حاجات كتير ناس مش بتحب تسمعها.بناء شركة مش عن الأنا.مش عن headlines.ومش عن فلوس سريعة.هو عن المسؤولية.حلقة صادقة ومباشرة.(00:00) Intro(01:27) Why should anyone build a startup?(07:03) What is an asset class?(10:21) What is a community?(13:35) Why do we need communities as humans?(17:52) His biggest theft(19:30) The school of Rocket Internet(25:22) Differences between being an operator, founder and investor(28:13) Advice for founders(30:38) How does a founder know they’re ready?(34:55) Who changed your life?(35:58) What does the word “manager” mean?(38:05) Who do you choose as a companion?(39:21) Being challenged by family(41:17) Creating support systems(42:24) If money was no object, what would you do?(47:39) Hitting rock bottom(54:10) A question we fear being asked(56:53) What is becoming and did you become?(59:12) Retirement plans(01:03:47) What’s the dream?Enjoyed the conversation? Please follow and share to help us spread it further.

Omar Elgebali is the founder of FitClan—a startup giving people access to 172+ gyms across Egypt with one subscription.In this episode we explore:• How to choose the right co-founder• Leading with flexibility (not ego)• The reality of fundraising in Egypt• Why quitting your job too early is dangerous• Founder burnout and internal pressure• His deepest fear — and biggest ambitionThis episode is about becoming—not just building.If you're anything like me, then you're going to love everything Omar has to say.Thanks for listening—please don't forget to follow!

What happens when the “weird internet kid” grows up and builds a global creative studio?In this episode, Nourhan Wahdan, Applied Arts engineer and brand strategist, shares her journey from Cairo to Los Angeles.We talk about:• Starting a studio at 21• Leaving the comfort zone• Landing major clients like Google & YouTube• Moving abroad and rebuilding from zero• Cultural differences and imposter syndrome• Founder mistakes and leadership pressure• Gaming and alternative media shaping creativity• Gamification & toyification trends• AI and the future of human-made work• And why she believes in “unbecoming”This is a conversation about identity, risk, creativity, and staying human in a world that’s becoming increasingly automated.Not about success.About process.If you're anything like me, then you're going to love everything Nourhan has to say.Thanks for listening—please don't forget to follow!

A lot of our life is decided because of fear.And one of the biggest fears controlling the lives of so many of us is the fear of other people's opinions.What will people say? How will they perceive me?"I don't want to look bad."Do you ever find yourself stopping yourself from doing something you want because you're worried of what your friends might say? Do you stop yourself from going after something you've been dreaming of because you don't want others to talk about you behind your back?If you're anything like me, then you probably do/did that at some point in your life. And its consequences are detrimental. It can hold you back and stop you from becoming the person you're meant to be. It can keep you from discovering your full potential and being all that you're supposed to be and more.If you're anything like me, if you fear judgement, then this episode is for you.Thanks for listening—please don't forget to follow!

Perfectionism is both a blessing and a curse.It's usually the latter though when we don't know how to use it to our advantage.It often holds us back and keeps us from creating the life we deserve. It stops us from acting - from moving forward.In this episode, I talk about perfectionism as a whole and I reflect on my own challenges with it from a young age. I go through how I still struggle with it today—but how I've learned to work with it and use it to my advantage, instead of allowing it to control me.If you also struggle with perfectionism, this episode is for you.Thanks for listening—don't forget to follow the podcast!

Why do we do what we do?What drives us?What's our why?Why do we get out of bed every morning?That's one of my favorite topics - human drivers and the why.Thanks for watching—don't forget to follow!

In this launching episode, Mohamed shares a little bit about himself and why he's creating on:becoming. It's an intro to the podcast and lays the groundwork for all that's yet to come.Get ready and welcome to on:becoming!Thanks for listening—don't forget to follow us!