Bazaar Belief: Dania Akeel On Her Biggest Sense Of Achievement, Key Life Lessons, And Greatest Fear
The Saudi athlete shares what family means to her, a life-changing experience, and what feeds her soul…
In less than five years, Dania has checked off a lot of firsts in her field. She is the first female to win the Cross Country Bajas T3 World Cup, the first Arab woman to finish in the top 10 of her category in the Dakar Rally, and the first Saudi woman to receive a racing license for speedbike racing. No doubt there are more firsts in her future.
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia (HBA): What Inspires You Most About Your Job?
Dania Akeel (DA): The main function of my job during the drive itself is to make decisions very quickly, leading me to the front of the grid. This requires a calm and balanced mental and emotional state. It challenges me to have the capacity to manage myself while executing my choices in minimal time. The sport has an impact on one’s character as a whole, and not only as a driver. There is always more to achieve in this sport, a faster route to take and quicker communication between mind and body to enhance one’s performance as a driver; this inspires and motivates me to consistently improve and learn from any gaps of knowledge while building experience.
HBA: Biggest Sense Of Achievement?
DA: Becoming the first female in history to win the Cross Country Bajas T3 World Cup and the first Arab woman to finish in the top 10 of her category in the Dakar Rally.
HBA: My Greatest Fear Is…
DA: Not realising my own mistakes and flaws
HBA: What Key Lessons Have You Learnt And Who Taught Them To You?
DA: Failure is not wasted if you learn from your mistake. Experience is necessary for growth.
HBA: What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?
DA: Always look for the good in everything that occurs, and you will be sure to find it.
HBA: Who Or What Feeds Your Soul?
DA: A balance of work, family, friends, and travel is required for my soul to be nourished. A combination of familiar comforts and new experiences is key to a fulfilling life.
HBA: What Does Family Mean To You?
DA: There is a force that comes from loved ones that cannot be found anywhere else. No matter how busy a work schedule is and how successful professionally you become, it cannot fill the part that family provides with its emotional riches.
HBA: Describe Yourself In Three Words…
DA: Curious, Determined, Pensive
HBA: Can We Have It All ( And What Does That Mean)?
DA: We can have all that we need – yes. It means deciding what that is and making choices at different points in life to support that decision. Things change over time, and with true reflection, we can see what it is that we truly need at that moment. Some years are for novelty, some are for stability, some are for nesting, and some are for exploring. Each person has a unique idea of what ‘all’ really means to them.
HBA: What Do You Listen To Most- Your Head, Heart, Or Gut?
DA: I’ve learnt the value of all three through different experiences. Ultimately the gut is my compass, and the head is my transportation method.
HBA: Which Experience In Life Taught You Most About Yourself And Why?
DA: When I had an accident in my first season racing bikes I learnt that I was able to accept the consequences of my decisions, and work towards moving past them in a productive way.
HBA: Who Or What Feeds Your Soul?
DA: When I was the first Saudi woman to receive a racing license for speedbike racing in 2019. This showed me that rules change, that countries evolve, and that opportunities can appear out of nowhere.
From Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s April 2023 issue.