Happy New Year! After a much-needed break, we’re kicking off 2025 with a truly inspiring story. Host Dawn Barnable sits down with Jola Chudy, an ultra-runner and former luxury fashion publisher who transformed her life to embrace adventure, resilience, and self-discovery. Jola’s journey—from the glamorous fashion industry to conquering one of the toughest foot races in the world, the Marathon des Sables—reminds us all that it’s never too late to pivot, dream big, and chase extraordinary goals.

In this episode, Jola shares:

👠 ➡️ 👟 How she transitioned from the high-paced fashion world to the rugged trails of ultra-endurance running.

🏜️ Her experience tackling the 257km Marathon des Sables, often called the toughest foot race on Earth.

💫 The lessons she’s learned about resilience, stepping outside her comfort zone, and embracing new challenges.

📖 Why any time is the right time to rewrite your narrative and embark on a fresh adventure.

Resources:

• Learn more about the Marathon des Sables: https://www.marathondessables.com/
• Connect with Jola Chudy: https://www.instagram.com/jolaruns/
• Follow The Mettleset: https://www.instagram.com/themettleset/

More from The Mettleset

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In this episode, we sit down with Martine Grael, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, World Champion, and Pan-American Games champion, who is now making history as the first female driver in SailGP. Martine is also leading the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team, the first-ever South American team to compete in the high-stakes SailGP Championship.

We caught up with Martine in the team hangar in Dubai, just days before the season opener. During our conversation, Martine takes us on an inspiring journey:

• How her childhood on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro and growing up in a family of sailors shaped her passion for the sport.
• The setbacks she faced on her road to Olympic glory and how she used those moments to fuel her comeback.
• Insights from her experiences in the grueling Volvo Ocean Race and what it taught her about teamwork and perseverance.
• Her excitement and vision as she steps into her role as driver for the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team.

Martine’s story is one of resilience, determination, and trailblazing achievements.

Follow Martine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinegrael/

Learn more about SailGP & Martine: https://sailgp.com

https://sailgp.com/teams/mubadala-brazil/martine-grael

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Dawn

In this episode, we dive into the triathlon journey of Hana AlNabulsi, a trailblazing triathlete on the UAE National Team. Hana made history as the youngest Emirati woman to ever compete in and complete a 70.3 Ironman race. She’s also the first Emirati woman to qualify for the Asian Games in Triathlon.

We caught up with Hana at the T100 World Tour Press Conference in Dubai, just ahead of the Tour’s grand finale (16-17 Nov) During our conversation, Hana shares how a simple dare sparked her entry into the world of triathlon during the pandemic. She takes us through the unforgettable story of her first race, and with unexpected challenges and laser focus needed

Hana also opens up about the mental resilience that drives her, her unwavering focus on her ultimate dream of representing the UAE in Triathlon at the next Olympics, and how she pushes herself to reach new heights in the sport.

Follow Hana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trihanathon/

For more information on the T100 series: https://t100triathlon.com/

If you've been enjoying our content and finding value in our discussions, please take a quick moment to show your support. Just hit the subscribe button wherever you are listening to us so that you never miss an episode.

Please also leave a review - 5 ⭐ only - and follow @themettleset on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. This really helps us in our commitment to bring you the best possible show and the most interesting guests.

Dawn