“‘Lovely Humans’ removes barriers and gives people access to one another.”

How many of us are able to bounce back even stronger after a major setback? Motorsport athlete, Dania Akeel, had an accident on the track, but that only made her focus and determination stronger. Than ever before! Dania is not only the ‘First Saudi female to hold a Motorcycle Circuit Racing License’, but she is also the ‘First Saudi female to participate in an FIA World Cup Rally’. After her recovery, Dania entered the rally racing world, where she became the first Saudi female to participate in an International Rally Competition.

GLEAC has partnered with this awe-inspiring human for Lovely Humans. As part of this one-of-its-kind project, GLEAC will be minting Dania’s time as an NFT! What does that mean? You will be able to bid for 5 hours of  Dania’s time that you can use over the period of a year. Dania is a prestigious member of the #GLEACMentorCommunity and she talks passionately about motorsport driving amongst other things.

In a chat with GLEAC, Dania spoke about GLEAC’s metaverse project and the pros and cons of the motorsport industry. Take a look!

GLEAC: What, according to you, makes GLEAC’s Lovely Humans project unique?

Dania: We live in an age of unlimited information. With so much content available on the internet today, it is truly unique to gain access to relevant and substantial information straight from industry experts. Lovely Humans removes barriers and gives people access to one another. 

GLEAC: How do you think your NFT buyer will benefit from minting time with you?

Dania: In the last few years, I’ve got very involved in motorsport, specifically off-road rallies and I’ve learnt a lot along the way. There are different elements to sports, apart from performing as an athlete. I have built mental resilience to better myself at what I love. But what I’m truly proud of is the knowledge I’ve gained on the business side of this industry.

For instance, I’ve learnt how to get the season funded and financed while being the source of ROI for the sponsor. Due to this, I’ve dabbled in gaining exposure via marketing and branding. I’ve worn multiple hats in my role as a rally driver and I’ve benefited a lot from this experience. And if I can help people with physical enhancement, mental focus, and achieving their goals – I’ll be glad. I’ve also learnt to work with different types of people and engaged with many stakeholders in the motorsport industry. 

GLEAC: Why is it important to adopt Web3 tools?

Dania: NFTs are a way for people to exchange value and hold each other to that commitment. For instance, Lovely Humans gives you access to people that might not be physically accessible to you in your immediate environment. Web3 allows you to cross spaces which are otherwise impossible to gain access to.

GLEAC: Which past decision of yours are you grateful for?

Dania: I’ve made several small decisions that have led me to where I am today. It’s been a long road to put my foot through the door of the sports industry and it has been rewarding at every turn. In a nutshell, too many small decisions have led to this big picture.

GLEAC: What are the hard skills v/s soft skills required for a career in motorsports?

Dania: To succeed in motorsport, physical strength and endurance take precedence over all else. You have to be comfortable being in the car for long periods of time. This may even go up to 10-12 hours a day on race days. You need to have the mental clarity to focus because races can run for multiple hours. Soft skills like teamwork are equally important because you have a co-driver with you. Communication and clarity with your co-driver are key to successful performance in any race. 

GLEAC: Which learning of your professional journey you’d like to share with the world?

Dania: I’ve learnt several things in the past racing season. Being able to adapt to race in every environment has by far been my greatest learning. Different countries have their own unique terrains and landscapes. Developing an agile and adaptive mentality has really benefitted me. Engaging with unfamiliar territory while maintaining your sanity is a learning that can be applied to different situations. 

GLEAC: What are the pros and cons of a career in motorsports?

Dania: There are several benefits of working in the motorsport industry. I have a great deal of passion and love for driving and physical activity in general. It’s extremely rewarding – physically and mentally – to do something that you enjoy doing. Another great benefit is that this industry has a very wide community. We work with mechanics, suppliers, vendors, and sponsors, and this gives us an opportunity to engage with a whole lot of different people. When we drive in different countries and engage with their organizers, we get to experience their local cultures.

It’s a great way to discover different places across the world. On the other hand, I don’t have too many cons that come to mind, but it’s important to have the season funded and financed to be able to sustain our careers. When an agreement with an organizer finally sees the light of the day, it is a rewarding feeling. 

GLEAC: What are your hobbies?

Dania: I love being outdoors. I go swimming and horse-riding when I can. Reading and spending time with friends is something I enjoy whenever my schedule permits. My work allows me to travel, but I also love to travel with a set of close friends when I can and cover new places. 

Dania Akeel is part of our ‘Lovely Humans’ NFT drop happening on the 15th of October 2022! We give you access to 5 hours of her time through this one-of-a-kind NFT.

For more awesome content from our other mentors check out our blog (www.gleac.com/blog). Visit at our website (www.gleac.com) and also for our NFTs head on over to Lovely Humans (www.lovelyhumans.io) to learn more!