True strength and wellness reveals in quiet moments rather than grand gestures – the steady rhythm of a breath, the supportive silence between friends, the deliberate choice to prioritize well-being amidst life’s chaos. Across studios, sustainable activewear ateliers, and sacred community spaces, five visionary women are redefining what it means to be strong in today’s world. They are architects of energy, pioneers of presence, and guardians of grace. Each crafting a unique language of wellness that transcends physicality and taps into something far more profound: our shared humanity.
Emirates Woman sat with these leaders, listened to their stories, struggles, and sources of power. Though their paths differ, a common thread emerges: true strength flourishes through connection – to oneself, to others, and to purpose.
Aisha Abdulaziz – Founder of Sculp Activewear
To speak with Aisha Abdulaziz is to witness a mind in constant, curious motion. The founder of Sculp Activewear approaches wellness with the methodical precision of a scientist and the intuitive heart of an artist. Her entry into the wellness world was born not from trend, but from a deeply personal quest for solutions. “I was very conscious when working out… I was more focused on what I’m wearing rather than the exercise itself,” she recalls. This hyper-awareness of a practical problem ignited a familiar spark: “I found a problem. And I was like, why not just start my own thing?”
For Abdulaziz, the garments we wear are not mere fabric; they are the second skin that can either hinder or empower our potential. Her design philosophy is a testament to this belief, placing the wearer’s experience at its core. “At the forefront, whenever I’m designing is the question ‘how can I make sure that a woman feels good?”… It’s almost like internal, external, external, internal,” says the founder.
This intricate dance between how we feel and how we perform is, to her, the essence of modern strength. It’s a concept she defines not as a solitary pursuit, but as a collective endurance. “For me, strength comes from the women that I am surrounded with,” she shares, her voice warm with conviction. “They are women that are so grounded in what they do and so supportive in every stage of my life… I genuinely believe without having such a strong community, moving past the challenges could be even more challenging.” Abdulaziz’s strength is a tapestry woven from threads of resilience, endurance, and the unwavering support of a handpicked tribe, proving that our greatest power often lies in connection.
Adrienne Everett – Founder of HWH Studio
Adrienne Everett’s presence is a radiant force, her energy both grounding and electrifying. An international yoga instructor and founder of HWH Studio in Dubai, her journey into wellness was a “COVID career swerve,” a profound pivot from the world of luxury fashion to the pulsing heart of mindful movement. “I really realised the first thing I want to do when those restrictions are lifted is go back and join a group exercise class… It was the community,” she explains. This wasn’t a casual shift; it was a soul-level correction towards a life of purpose. “I want to spend it in the most fulfilling way possible.”
For Everett, strength is a joyful, euphoric rebellion against limitation. It is found in the thunderous beat of music, the collective rhythm of a class pushing its limits, and the empowering realization that wellness is ageless. “Strength is your most important tool physically and mentally,” she asserts, speaking passionately about the need for women to embrace strength training as they age. “It is actually stylish to be strong,” she declares, a mantra that challenges superficial aesthetics and champions functional, enduring power. Her definition of strength is forward-looking and deeply personal: “We want to live fully for as long as possible… I want to be talking like this as an 80-year-old.” It’s a strength that rejects the notion of a finite peak, instead viewing vitality as a lifelong, ever-evolving practice.
Sirine Bekdache & Paloma Nassar – Founders of Soul MVNT
The founders of Soul MVNT, sisters-in-law Sirine Bekdache and Paloma Nassar, possess a harmonious energy that makes their partnership feel both innate and inspired. Bekdache, calm and composed, provides the strategic vision, while Nassar, chirpy and full of energy, infuses their venture with infectious enthusiasm. Their business was born from a shared desire to create more than just a studio; they sought to build a haven. “We really wanted to put everything that we thought was great in one space,” Bekdache explains. Nassar elaborates on their core mission: “The sense of community, sense of belonging, sense of this is your happy place… this good energy that you create by putting like-minded people together.”
For this dynamic duo, strength is cultivated in the details – the curated scent that greets you, the Dyson dryers, the sheer curtains that offer privacy – all designed to engage the five senses and facilitate a complete disconnection from the outside world. “This is the only thing, almost, that you do purely for your own self,” Nassar reflects. “I want to go somewhere that one hour that I want to spend that’s just for me… So we just wanted to give our clients that best one hour so that they can reconnect with themselves.”
Their combined definition of strength revolves around graceful resilience and mindful endurance. Bekdache sees it as “being able to face many different situations in life and still showing up… genuinely happily, transparently, truthfully.” For Nassar, it is deeply mental: “I think about mental strength and more resilience… looking back at a lot of the experiences that you had so far and how grateful you become.” Together, they have built a physical embodiment of strength: a sanctuary where women can fortify both body and mind.
Louise Nichol – Spin instructor at UAE-born boutique fitness studio CRANK and for Heroes of Hope
Louise Nichol’s energy is both fierce and compassionate, a combination forged through her own mid-life reinvention from fashion editor to fitness powerhouse. A spin instructor at UAE-born boutique fitness studio CRANK and for Heroes of Hope (the UAE’s non-profit sports organisation for children of determination) Nichol’s journey is a testament to the fact that it is never too late to answer a calling. “It was a bit of a wake-up call,” she says of her pandemic-era pivot. “I am really grateful for the clarity that it gave me.”
A mother of three children, all born in Dubai, and a resident since 2005, Nichol’s approach is deeply practical. “Strength, to me, is sustainability,” she says. “It’s not about how much you can lift; it’s about how long you can thrive.” Her work with Heroes of Hope grounds her purpose. “Those kids are my real teachers. They redefine what’s possible every single day.” As co-founder of luxury women’s sportswear brand Allez Kit, she adds: “True style is about confidence. It’s about owning your space and your story. That’s what we’re building with Allez Kit, clothes that make women feel unstoppable, because they are.”
Though their expressions of wellness vary – Abdulaziz’s intentional design, Everett’s mindful movement, Bekdache and Nassar’s curated sanctuaries, and Nichol’s functional longevity – these women share a common creed: well-being is not a solo pursuit. It is a tapestry woven from community, intention, and the courage to listen – to our bodies, to each other, and to the quiet wisdom within.
In a world that often prizes performance over presence, they are building empires of a different kind, ones where strength is measured not in metrics, but in meaning.
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