Raha Moharrak: How I stepped into my better self

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been passionate about self-care. It’s rooted in every achievement I made and every peak I conquered. Being the first Saudi woman to climb the seven summits, including Mount Everest, I can’t help but look back at how it all began. With one step forward, with one act of courage. And none of that would’ve been possible without the love and care I learned to give myself. 

Reaching the top, one step at a time.

My life-changing experience of climbing Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, started with one foot forward.

I climbed Everest in phases. Every step I took on it was a little win for me, a little advancement in pursuit of my dreams. That adventure, as crazy and as dangerous it was, turned into a transformational journey. It proved to me, and to anyone who had any doubt, that facing something bigger than you doesn’t make it unattainable. It’s perfectly normal to get overwhelmed when you have a lot on your plate, when you zoom out and look at things as a whole. But just like Everest, anything can be achieved in stages and broken down into smaller wins until you reach “the top”.

Step by step. That’s all it takes.

I’ve come to notice that people delay their goals and aspirations with so many “buts”. They make them seem unattainable because they’re afraid to fail, don’t know how to start, or simply believe it’ll take too much time to get “there”. To that I say: overthinking is the enemy. Just take one little step and see how far you can go. See how far it’ll take you out of your comfort zone.

Never be lazy in the pursuit of your goals and dreams. Look forward, take a breath, and plan; that’swhere self-care comes in – empowering you to take the leap.

My journey to a healthier smile.

Being a public figure on media and TV, it’s important that I always put on the best representation of myself. By that I mean, it’s not enough to get a little makeup on; I also have to come forth as a confident person – and that’s only possible if I take good care of myself.

For one thing, it bothered me that I had crooked bottom teeth because they required more maintenance and cleaning. So, I decided to adjust my smile and straighten my teeth not only to look good, but to feel good and healthier too.

That’s why I chose to go with BASMA, and my experience was incredible. I was truly impressed by their care and by how responsive they were at every step of my smile journey. It was such a blessing to be able to work with them and get to know them at the level that I did.

Getting a clear aligner treatment from home was a winning ticket and perfect for someone like me – always on my feet and not knowing where I’ll be. BASMA made it so easy for me to go about my busy and often unpredictable lifestyle.

When I talk to others about my BASMA experience, I’m sometimes met with comments like:”You have to change clear aligners every 2 weeks?”, or “6 months, that’s a lot”. Every single thing that I do to improve myself is worth the time and hard work. It might take 6 months but what’s 6 months in a lifetime? I’ll have the smile I want for the rest of my life – and that’s an incredible accomplishment for me.

Taking the decision to transform your smile, straighten your teeth, and begin treatment can seem overwhelming. But like everything else in life, it starts with one step, with one little act of courage. And that step can redefine everything for you.

Set your own standards, and lead. 

Now more than ever, in this social media day and age, you have to be comfortable in your own skin.

So many fall into the trap of having to look/act like someone else, or follow an ideal they’re not convinced by, just to feel like they have a voice or place in this world. It’s such a dangerous precedent to set for our next generation – especially for young women.

To put it differently, self-care is taken the wrong way. It shouldn’t be done to get a nod of approval from the people around you. Self-care is meant to be an intimate journey of growth. It is to be done at your own pace, under your own terms, without the illusionary standards set by the (online) world. For me, self-care also means not being afraid to make bold decisions and take a leap forward – big or small – to achieve your goals and reach your own standards of health, beauty, and success. Whether it’s to fix your teeth, get fit, or start a project, set your own framework and lead on it.

Going back to my BASMA experience, I knew that clear aligners treatment and teeth straightening went beyond a confidence boost. It also meant a healthier mouth and better hygiene. And believe me when I say this: I feel healthier. A simple correction in my crooked smile gave me an extra dose of strength – getting me ready for my next achievement.

When you decide to better yourself, let it come from a place of kindness and not self-judgement. I love that I am unique in my own rebellious way and I encourage women to find that peace. Once you do, you can take on the world. Step by step, and at full smile.

-Raha Moharrak