52: Scientist by Degree, Space Holder by Destiny | Ola Zaitoon

Ola shares her story of leaving behind a successful but unfulfilling career in science to follow her passion for community, creativity, and movement. Growing up in a culture where only careers like engineering or medicine were seen as valid, she pushed herself to earn a master’s degree in stem cell research—only to realize it wasn’t aligned with her spirit. Through retreats, dancing, and holding space for women, Ola has built something beautiful and brave: a life and business that feels true to who she is. Her story is a beacon for anyone questioning the path they were told to follow.

Find Ola at:
https://www.instagram.com/and.werise_/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574092655272

Keywords:

• from scientist to entrepreneur
• how to find your purpose
• women’s retreats Windsor
• cultural dance healing
• leaving science career
• Arab women entrepreneurship
• how to hold space for women
• building a soulful business
• Windsor dance classes for women
• Ola Windsor story

Hashtags:

#PurposeDrivenLife
#WomenEntrepreneurs
#LifeAfterScience
#RetreatLeader
#OrientalDance
#WindsorEvents
#WomensRetreat
#HealingThroughMovement
#TinasArenaPodcast
#OlasStory

Timestamps

00:00 – Meet Ola
00:38 – Succeeding But Not Satisfied
03:17 – Holding Space for Women
06:12 – Advice for Finding Your Passion: Keep Experimenting
07:06 – Listening to Feedback and Following the Signs
08:02 – The Power of Movement and Egyptian Dance
10:20 – The Culture Shock of Open Mic Storytelling—and Why It Felt Like Home
11:28 – Launching Dance Classes for Women and Teens (Pay-What-You-Can!)
13:00 – How Dance Builds Confidence and Inner Power
14:46 – Why Everyone Should Try This at Least Once
16:00 – You Only Get One Life—Do What You Love
17:00 – Where to Find Ola and Join Her Classes