Ola Abbas

Hey, I'm Olla

So glad you stopped by!

My story starts in the bustling vibes of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, back in the late ’80s. Riyadh witnessed my first steps and heard my first words. But, as a second-gen immigrant, picking Riyadh as my forever home? Not exactly a straightforward choice.

The world pointed to Sudan, my parents’ homeland, as the ‘real’ home. Fueled by optimism, I landed in Khartoum at 17, thinking I’d blend in effortlessly. Spoiler alert: I didn’t! Despite my deep love for Sudan, I felt like a fish out of water.

So, my heart whispered to me

I NEEDED TO FIND
my place

Off I went to Malaysia, diving into Biomedical Engineering, a degree that made my folks proud but left me wondering what this degree really meant to me.

THEN, a plot twist.

I stumbled upon Mindvalley, a personal growth haven that transformed my life. What started as a day job became my university of self-discovery, my international family, and the place where I would start finding a path to myself again.
As destiny would have it, I became the Director of Global Events, curating experiences that connected souls from every corner of the globe and providing a safe space to feel they belong. Designing these moments fulfilled my yearning for belonging; each event was a moment of hope and celebration, allowing everyone to feel they deserved a place to effortlessly… be.”

That’s when life started to get WILD. It took me to the most breathtaking spots, soaking in life’s finest moments. Imagine this: lavish 5-star retreats worldwide, chillin’ with incredible souls, savoring the tastiest bites, sharing stages with the awesome Vishen Lakhiani, Michael Beckwith, and Lisa Nichols. Oh, and did I mention my birthday bash at Gerard Butler’s Hollywood crib? Life was beyond belief!

NOW, let's get real

it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows.

There were loads of challenges, inner struggles, and those pesky deep-rooted beliefs that kept poking at where I fit in all of it and where the heck my ‘real’ home was. I’m here to lay it bare, to shine a light on the often-overlooked struggles immigrants face with identity and belonging. My journey is still got me on that school-of-life grind. From fits of laughter to rivers of tears, each city was a stepping stone, bringing me closer to healing my own wounds and building a connection within myself—an inner sanctuary, my ultimate home, no matter where I go.

Today, helping others find their place and cultivate their inner sanctuary brings me pure joy. I’m not a teacher, fixer, or healer. I’m just someone who gets the struggle of being uprooted, hoping my journey resonates with someone going through the same. Let’s share this journey together, weaving stories, designing experiences, and building the homes we’ve always longed for.

From Riyadh to Rio

Embark with me on an unforgettable journey within ‘From Riyadh to Rio.’ As a second-generation immigrant on a profound quest for identity and belonging, I traverse diverse cities, cultures, and relationships, revealing invaluable insights into love and self-discovery. But this isn’t just a story, it’s a compelling call to embrace our roots, urging us to cultivate an internal ‘HOME’ that transcends borders.

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