“Being the first to do something is always the hardest. There is no path to follow and no precedent. But overcoming those challenges is what makes you shine,” world tennis champion and empowerment icon, Sania Mirza, asserted to a packed audience at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF 2025) on Sunday.

In conversation with Alia Bujsaim, a Board Member of the UAE Tennis Federation, Mirza noted: “Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like without tennis, but I simply can’t imagine it”.

A young girl from Hyderabad with a tennis racket and big dreams, Mirza’s journey is a living testimony that ‘challenges define champions’. Being India’s first female tennis star in a cricket-dominated nation and a male-dominated sports industry, Sania has stood victorious on some of the biggest tennis courts in the world. She has navigated setbacks, physical injuries, extreme emotional hardships and self-doubt to redefine herself, her game and emerge stronger than ever.

In recent years, conversations around mental health in sports have gained traction, but the former World #1 Doubles recalls a time when it was rarely discussed. “Dealing with immense pressure to win is emotionally exhausting. However, the ability to pick yourself up after a loss and go for the next win is what sets apart great athletes.”

For young athletes, her advice is clear – believe in yourself even when no one else does. “There were moments when people thought my dreams were unrealistic. Self-belief coupled with hard work made the ‘impossible’ possible,” she concluded.

Saying ‘yes’ to the discomfort that spurs growth 

Echoing Mirza’s advice on believing in oneself, Ammar Kandil, Cofounder of Yes Theory, explored the transformative power of saying “yes”, not just to opportunities but to the discomfort that creates growth.

Born and raised in Egypt, he left home at 16. After attending university in Canada, Kandil and his friends (future co-founders) embarked on a road trip to Montreal in 2015 during which the idea for Yes Theory was born. The startup’s concept was rooted in the belief that life’s most meaningful experiences emerge from embracing fear and uncertainty.

“Yes Theory is not just a brand; it’s a mindset,” Kandil said. “When you say yes to facing your fears, you unlock opportunities and connections you never imagined possible.”

The early days of Yes Theory featured videos that inspired viewers to embark on their journeys rather than simply watching from the comfort of their homes. This relatability led to the movement’s organic growth. “We aimed to create something authentic that made people want to turn off their screens and say yes to their dreams”, Kandil emphasised.

Kandil shared an insightful anecdote about how Yes Theory challenged Will Smith to step outside his comfort zone. They challenged Smith to bungee jump from a helicopter over the Grand Canyon – an idea that pushed even the fearless Hollywood star to confront his fears. Kandil recounted how Smith embraced the challenge on his 50th birthday and how the actor told him that growth comes from “stepping into the unknown”.