Maya Nassar: Turning Dreams Into Influence and Discipline Into Lifestyle .
Maya, you’ve grown into one of Lebanon’s most influential young businesswomen. How would you describe the mindset that helped you transform your passion into a powerful multi-industry career?
Mindset for a Multi-Industry Career
The core mindset is resilience paired with relentless learning. You must be adaptable and never believe you know enough. My passion for wellbeing started it all, but transforming it into a multi-industry career required me to approach business like training: consistent effort, smart strategy, and treating setbacks as fuel, not failures.
Your journey with Start Living Right has inspired thousands. What were the key challenges you faced while building your personal brand and wellness platform?
Challenges with Start Living Right
The biggest challenge was transitioning from athlete/expert to credible businesswoman. I had to prove that I wasn’t just a fitness face, but a serious entrepreneur. Building the personal brand meant facing public scrutiny and overcoming the initial challenge of making people believe that sustainable, realistic wellness is more powerful than quick-fix fads.
You were crowned Ms. Fitness 2025 in Las Vegas and Ms. Universe World International. How did these international titles strengthen your confidence and elevate your global visibility?
Impact of International Titles
Winning Ms. Fitness 2025 with Ms. Universe World International was deeply validating, especially as a mother. These titles didn’t just boost my personal confidence; they provided a global megaphone for the ‘Start Living Right’ mission. They instantly elevated my visibility and credibility on a world stage.
As a mother of four, entrepreneur, athlete, and public figure, how do you manage to balance all your roles while staying committed to the Start Living Right lifestyle?
Balancing Multiple Roles
It’s about prioritization and ruthlessly efficient scheduling. My workout isn’t optional; it’s a non-negotiable meeting with myself. As an entrepreneur and mother of four, you realize you can’t be perfect at everything, so I focus on being present in each role and leading by example—showing my children the value of discipline and health.
Hosting your own program on Virgin Radio Stars Lebanon, how has media exposure helped you expand your mission and impact?
Media Exposure on Virgin Radio
Hosting my show on Virgin Radio Stars Lebanon has been pivotal. Media exposure allows me to reach thousands of people instantly, expanding the conversation from the gym floor to the airwaves. It helps democratize wellness and reinforce the message that mental and physical health are deeply intertwined.
Recently, you have expanded your involvement into the hospitality industry. What motivated you to diversify from fitness and media into business development and restaurants?
Motivation for Hospitality Diversification
I saw a natural synergy. Fitness and hospitality are both about delivering an experience and elevating lifestyle. By diversifying into restaurants and business development, I can influence the full spectrum of wellbeing—from movement (fitness) to nutrition and social connection (dining). It was a strategic move to create holistic wellness platforms.
Your father, Soheil Nassar, has had a major influence in the hospitality sector, and you now collaborate with key partners like Pierre Ziadeh of SP Holding, Henry Farah, owner of Kampai Catering, and Habib Farah. How has growing up around your father’s leadership, combined with these partnerships, shaped your approach to innovation, strategy, and success in Lebanon’s evolving hospitality industry?
Influence of Family and Partnerships
Growing up around my father, Souhail Nassar, ingrained in me the value of long-term vision and impeccable service. Now, collaborating with partners like Pierre Ziadeh and Henry Farah brings diverse expertise. It’s a blend of old-school Lebanese business integrity and modern, innovative strategies—essential for thriving in Lebanon’s evolving market.
Can you tell us about the hospitality venues you are involved in and what makes them unique within Lebanon’s competitive dining scene?
Unique Hospitality Venues
My venues are distinguished by their commitment to quality ingredients and creating community. While I can’t name specific new locations yet, the goal is always to move beyond just serving food to curating a complete dining experience that fits seamlessly with a modern, healthy lifestyle.
Shark Tank Question: If you were selected as a jury member on Shark Tank Lebanon, what unique perspective or expertise would you bring to the panel, and what type of entrepreneurs or projects would you be most excited to support?
Shark Tank Perspective
If I were on Shark Tank Lebanon, my unique perspective would be the power of the personal brand in the digital age. I would look for entrepreneurs who have not just a viable product, but a compelling story and a scalable media strategy. I’d be most excited to support projects in the wellness, tech, and sustainable food sectors—businesses that genuinely improve people’s lives. You’ve become a strong symbol of women empowerment in the region. Looking ahead, what is the next major chapter for Maya Nassar — as a mother, entrepreneur, athlete, and media figure and what message do you hope young women take from your personal journey?
Next Chapter and Message to Young Women
My next major chapter is about scalable impact—potentially franchising my fitness concept across the region and expanding the scope of my female refugee training program.
My message to young women is this: Your strength is your ability to define your own balance. Don’t choose between being a powerful professional, an athlete, or a mother. You can build a life where all your identities coexist and amplify one another. Never stop investing in yourself.
