Mohammed Mostafa: The Triple Threat Who Conquered Football, Film & Business (And Battled Depression)

Stripping Off with Matt Haycox

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In this episode of the Stripping Off podcast, Matt Haycox sits down with Mohammed Mostafa, a self-described "triple threat" excelling in football, acting, and entrepreneurship, who is also half English and half Emirati. Mostafa shares his incredible journey, from battling injuries in professional football in Ireland to navigating the complexities of a fifth-generation family business.
He discusses the decision to "find his own feet" outside the family business, leading him to open a unique gym at 20, and later, to pursue an acting career, culminating in a role in the Apple TV+ series "Hijack". Mostafa delves into the world of product placement in film, and how his agency, Versatile Synergy, is fostering local talent and attracting international productions to the UAE.
He also opens up about his personal struggles with depression and how yoga became a transformative practice, ultimately shaping his philosophy of continuous learning and positive impact.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro: Who Is Mohammed Mostafa?
0:29 – Identity, Purpose & The Bigger Picture
6:40 – From Football Dreams to Life Lessons
12:12 – Born to Be an Entrepreneur
17:56 – Real World vs Uni Life
19:57 – How Acting Became His Calling
27:54 – Product Placement Power Moves
32:36 – Building Versatile Synergy
34:22 – Juggling Multiple Businesses
36:40 – Why Bali Changed Everything
44:55 – Finding Focus & Family Business Truths
49:42 – Yoga, Depression & Mental Health Struggles
54:34 – His Legacy & Final Words

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Welcome to Stripping Off with Matt Haycox
This isn’t your average business podcast. It’s where real entrepreneurs, celebs, and industry leaders strip back the polished PR, and get brutally honest about the journeys that made them.

Hosted by entrepreneur and investor Matt Haycox, Stripping Off dives into the raw, unfiltered realities behind success: the wins, the fuck-ups, the breakthroughs, and everything in between. No scripts. No sugar-coating. Just real talk from people who’ve lived it.

Whether you’re hustling to scale your business or just love a behind-the-scenes look at how people really make it, this podcast is your front-row seat to the truth behind the triumphs.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Mohamed Mostafa (00:00:00)

2. Finding Your Feet: Family Business Dynamics (00:08:20)

3. Football Career and First Business Venture (00:16:55)

4. Breaking into the Film Industry (00:27:45)

5. Product Placement and Production Business (00:35:05)

6. Exploring Bali Investment Opportunities (00:42:55)

7. Balancing Focus Across Multiple Ventures (00:52:50)

8. Mental Health, Yoga and Personal Growth (00:57:05)