This episode isn't about motivation. It's about perspective.

Cyrus Rustom shares the moments that reshaped how he sees life — from joining the Marines at 16 to escape chaos at home, to surviving an accident he was certain he wouldn't live through, to rebuilding everything afterward.

We talk about business failures, discipline myths, opening a company one week before Covid shut the world down and why real risk isn't danger — it's waiting for certainty that never comes.

This conversation isn't polished or performative.

It's about identity, loss, belonging, and what changes when you realise time isn't guaranteed.

Some decisions aren't heroic.

They're survival.

3:31 – Learning What Not to Do

5:28 – The Biggest Mistakes

09:35 – The Discipline Lie

12:37 – The Start of Boxica

14:32 - Worst Timing Possible

16:12 – Making People Feel Welcome at The Gym

24:05 – Entrepreneurship

24:52 – What is Success?

36:27 - I Joined the Marines at 16

39:35 – The World of the Marines

54:44 - Crushed Between Two Vehicles

1:01:42 - Perspective Saved Me

1:05:27 - Leaving Was Lonely

1:07:42 - I Wouldn't Change What Happened

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This week's guest is Sam MCone, a lifelong Dubai resident and the visionary founder of McCone Properties. Having moved to Dubai at the age of two, Sam has a unique, ground-level perspective on the city's meteoric rise from a quiet trading post to a global powerhouse. His journey in real estate began as an agent, but his innate, level-headed resilience led him to build his own successful brokerage over the past 13 years.

In this deeply personal episode, Sam opens up about the tough lessons learned from transitioning from being a tennis ace as a youth, to a top salesperson then to becoming a business owner. He shares invaluable insights on finding a niche in a saturated market of 9,000 brokerages and the uncomfortable but vital role of social media in building a brand. Beyond business, Sam gives a raw and honest account of his complex relationship with his past as a tennis academy student, the challenges that shaped him, and how it contrasts with his current extreme physical challenges, including his upcoming attempt to run 200km in 24 hours to raise 1 million AED for The Sparkle Foundation in Malawi.

01:40 - Growing Up with Dubai

05:30 - An Honest Audit of Dubai's Pros & Cons

09:53 - The Coming Real Estate Correction

17:29 - From Salesman to CEO

23:20 - Carving a Niche in a Crowded Market

42:12 – Running 200 KM in 24 hrs

45:01 – The Past Trauma

48:01 - Parenting Through the Lens of Past Trauma

56:40 - The Story Behind the 200km Run and self-worth

Show Sponsors:

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Join us on Made in Dubai as we sit down with Nico de Corato, an ultra-endurance athlete, entrepreneur who is passionate about the UAE. From ultra-marathons and mountain biking to freediving, jet skiing, and desert adventures, Nico's story spans resilience, discipline, and pushing beyond limits. In this episode, Nico shares:

How he moved from Naples to Dubai and mindset behind his training ultra marathons, 200 km races and achieving the Dubai Sports Challenge

Why sports are a lifestyle, not just a hobby, and that lessons from the unseen moments alone in the desert have made him who is today

How setbacks and challenges can be used a positive motivator to set even great goals, even when no one was supporting him and thought he was seriously unwell (TBC)

Perfect for anyone interested in Dubai, extreme sports, ultramarathons, personal growth, and balancing life and extreme challenges while making a home in Dubai.

This episode is a deep dive into the life of someone who truly lives without limits. Tune in, get inspired, and discover what it really takes to conquer Dubai – on a mountain bike or alone in the desert.

03:30 – From Napoli to Dubai

09:10 – When everything that can go wrong, goes wrong

10:57 – Nico's health problems

13:31 – Nico breaking his sternum

16:20 – Coming to Dubai in 2004

17:11— Solo triathlon for the 49th UAE National Day

20:48 – 200 KM solo run

21:52 – Nico's mom passing away & honouring her

23:16 - Nico having no support when he first moved to Dubai

30:07 – Nico's mindset and discipline

42:45- Why do people hate Dubai?

48:56 – Nico's way of encouraging people to run

51:41: Nico's first run

Show Sponsors:

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This week's guest is Sahar Khan, the dynamic Head of Marketing at Bayut. A foundational member of the team, Sahar joined Bayut in 2014 as one of its first sales employees and has been instrumental in building the brand into the UAE's leading property portal. With a innate passion for creative, out-of-the-box marketing since childhood, she has spearheaded some of the company's most iconic campaigns, including the landmark partnership with Chris Hemsworth.

In this episode, Sahar takes us through her incredible journey from a salesperson in a small startup to leading marketing for a household name. She shares invaluable insights on building a brand in a unique market like the UAE, the evolution of her marketing strategies, and the delicate balance between sales and marketing teams. Sahar also opens about her leadership philosophy, the importance of staying true to one's principles, and how maintaining a clear mind through fitness is crucial to her success.

2:41 - Humble Beginnings at Bayut

4:04 - A Marketer from the Start

5:55 - Marketing in the UAE: A Unique Playbook

8:45 - Sales vs. Marketing: The Eternal Friction

11:55 - From Underdog to Market Leader

13:27 – Working with Chris Hemsworth

20:00 - Solving Industry Problems: Content and Verification

30:13 - Live Events vs. Digital Marketing

Measuring the intangible impact of live events like the iconic B3 launch and the clear metrics of digital campaigns.

36:57 – Dubai's booming real estate market

42:51 - Where Big Ideas Come From

52:15 - Giving Back: More Than Money

55:10 - A Personal Conversation on Principles and Pain

1:08:09 - Starting Over: Lessons for Bayut 2.0

Show Sponsors:

AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences.

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