September’s – ‘The Power Issue’ – Download Now
Words & Creative Direction: Amy Sessions
Photography: Ziga Mihelcic
Makeup: Melanie Meyer at MMG Artists
Hair: Ania Poniatowska at MMG Artists
Production: Kelli Maddock
Fashion Assistant: Camille Macawili
Location: With Special Thanks To Sharjah Equestrian & Racing Club
Her Highness Sheikha Latifah Al Maktoum is dedicated to excellence. We spoke with Her Highness, the daughter of Sheikh Ahmed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum and Sheikha Hessa bint Rashid Al Maktoum, sister to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to find out what it takes to keep your mind in champion mode.
Are you an early riser and do you feel like this is the key to success?
I was never really an early riser but I’m very active and if I get things done early then I get time for myself. I feel my brain shuts off the minute it gets dark. I sleep with my curtains open because I like to wake up with the sunlight, although most days I’m up before the sun. I think the key to success is to love what you do. It all depends if you love what you do. If you have fun and enjoy what you do then you’re already winning.
What do your first 30 mins of the day look like, your morning routine?
First thing when I wake up is have Canarino, it’s an Italian drink with hot water and lemon peel, and I add paprika to it. Afterwards, I drink 750ml of water, staying hydrated is so important. I wake my dogs and head to the stables early to ride. Depending on the weather, I try to ride one or two horses outside before riding the rest inside. Being out in the sun is so important both mentally and physically.
You grew up riding, when did you realise it would be something you’d take further?
We’ve always been around horses and my family loves horses in every sport; racing, endurance, polo, and show jumping. I realised that I wanted to take my showjumping further very early on. When I was thirteen, I saw the Dubai Show Jumping team training and I thought to myself, I want to be on that team. Realising that I had to prove myself, I worked really hard and made the team. Eventually, my goal was to attend the Asian games and be on the UAE Show Jumping team, it was my first Nations Cup and UAE won their first-ever medal in show jumping and being on that team was such an amazing experience and I was hooked ever since.
Success is made up of so many facets from training to diet and mindset. What do you feel is the most important?
I think success depends on how each individual defines success. How I define success is making the best of what I have. I work with many different horses and each horse is an individual, some are naturally talented and some need to be educated. Some horses have unlimited potential and some less so, I would never ask a horse to do what they cannot. For me success is being able to take each individual horse and train them to the highest level they are able to attain. Success can also take the form of small wins; I always try to create small goals that amount to a larger big-picture goal.
You’ve mentioned previously you’re a perfectionist. How do you feel this has helped you in what you do and has it ever held you back?
Being a perfectionist I think has hindered me more than helped! Sometimes I have to learn to let things go. I cannot control everything and sometimes that can be hard to accept. I have learned though that I can only control what I do and how I react to things so that’s what I try to focus on.
Your mother Her Highness Sheikha Hessa bint Rashid Al Maktoum has been a strong influence in your career – do you think it’s important to have a strong female role model and how important is it to balance this with a softer side of power?
My mother has always been my biggest supporter and my role model. She has always taught me to work hard if I ever wanted to achieve anything. She taught me that nothing was given and everything was earned. I don’t think any woman needs to balance out a softer side – why should women be apologetic for being strong?
Which brands do you personally buy into when it comes to fashion when you’re off-duty?
I live in my Lululemon leggings, anything that’s comfortable, as comfort is key for me.
Which brands or beauty products are your real hero buys?
I love Kat Von D products. I’ve got very sensitive skin and her products are vegan, cruelty-free and long-lasting.
This year has proven challenging for many businesses and leaders. If you face a challenge – what have you personally found is the most successful way to overcome it?
I learned I can only control what I can do. I can only control my actions not my surroundings or other people’s actions. So why get frustrated by things you cannot control, it will not change anything. You have to make the best of every situation and there is always a light at the end of the tunnel even though sometimes you cannot see it.
What advice would you give to your younger self, starting out?
Surround yourself with like-minded people, those who bring out the best version of you.
If you were not doing what you do now, which other role would you choose careerwise?
I think whatever I would do would most probably be something to do with sports. I love being active and I think it’s so important to live an active lifestyle.
This is The Power Issue – what is power to you?
I think power is understanding, you can’t do everything on your own. Power is knowing that you don’t know everything and you will constantly keep learning. Power is knowing when you’ve made mistakes and owning up to them. Power is leading by example; you can’t expect those around you to work hard if you don’t. Power is knowing that no one is entitled and everything is earned.
September’s – ‘The Power Issue’ – Download Now
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Feature Image: Supplied
