Miracle Mentality with Tim Storey

Episode 22: Maha Abouelenein – How Your Storytelling Strategy Will Save or Sink Your Brand
Date: January 12, 2026
Host: Tim Storey
Guest: Maha Abouelenein

Episode Overview

This episode features communication strategist Maha Abouelenein, author of "7 Rules of Self-Reliance." The conversation revolves around the power of storytelling in personal and professional branding, the importance of communication skills, how to build a strong reputation, and Maha’s unique journey as an Egyptian American navigating cultures and careers. With practical wisdom and uplifting energy, Tim and Maha dig deep into actionable steps to elevate your mindset, career, and personal brand.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Maha’s Personal Background and Perspective

[04:43 – 09:33]

• Born and raised in Minnesota to Egyptian parents, Maha shares her journey of moving to Egypt at 27 to care for her mother and restart her life.
• She navigated being different in both American and Egyptian cultures, which influenced her outsider perspective and drive.
• “Inside the four walls of my house in this small town in Minnesota, it was Egypt.” – Maha [07:01]
• Touching on language and cultural preservation, and how not knowing Arabic fluently at first affected her experience moving to Cairo.

The Value of Relationships Over Transactions

[03:24 – 04:22]

• Maha emphasizes prioritizing genuine relationships over transactional thinking.
• Doing the right thing, adding value, and building trust form her foundation for personal and business success.
• "When you do that, everything else comes from it." – Maha [03:24]

Maha’s Path to Communication and Storytelling

[11:17 – 15:47]

• Initially intended to be a journalist – fascinated by storytelling, real-time information, and broadcasting.
• Pivoted from sports marketing at General Mills to global communications roles for brands like Google, Netflix, Uber, and the ruler of Dubai.
• Became obsessed with narrative creation: “Stories are what connect us and what move us… being good at storytelling and sharing your narrative, it’s critical in today’s day and age.” – Maha [13:22]
• Developed skills by working in newsrooms, consuming information from multiple sources, reading voraciously, and analyzing how stories are told.

How to Learn and Practice Storytelling

[13:34 – 15:47]

• Tim shares he studied comedians for pacing in speeches rather than just other motivational speakers.
• Maha’s approach: being a passionate reader, studying headlines, digesting content from many sources.
• “Your news digest cannot be one source. …Yes, printed books in a digital age matter.” – Maha [15:32]

Career Highlights & Moments of Gratitude

[16:15 – 18:33]

• Maha reflects on her book launch and appearance on CBS Mornings with Gayle King and Nate Burleson.
• Most meaningful to her: sharing these moments with family.
• Finds unique fulfillment in democratizing communications expertise for anyone (not just CEOs).

Mastering Communication on Big Stages

[20:00 – 22:10]

• Preparing to speak on national TV: The importance of brief, impactful answers (“less is more”), breathing, pacing, and clarity.
• Maha’s tip: “Keep it short, breathe, slow down.” [21:30]

Building a Personal Brand and Reputation

[22:10 – 29:34]

• Good communication is essential for success, reputation, and career advancement; not just a tool for selling.
• Maha is passionate about helping underdogs and everyday professionals tell their stories.
• Key advice: “People follow people. People connect with people.” [23:06]
• Online presence and relationships are central to reputation management.
• “Your reputation is your currency. It’s the most valuable thing you own.” – Maha [26:35]

Book Discussion: 7 Rules of Self-Reliance

[24:15 – 27:41]

• The book is about empowering yourself so you can bring more to your relationships and work, not about selfishness.
• “Don’t be a waiter. …Go from being a waiter… to being a creator.” – Maha [25:10]

Who Is The Book For?

[26:35 – 27:41]

• Anyone with ambition: from young adults to retirees, employees, middle managers, and anyone who values reputation.

Rebuilding Reputation

[28:07 – 29:34]

• You can rebuild your reputation by controlling your actions, curating your digital presence, and focusing on relationships.
• “Your reputation comes from what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” – Maha [29:12]
• Maha’s metaphor: making regular “deposits” into people’s trust banks.

Miracle Mentality & Thinking Uncommonly

[29:40 – 32:47]

• Maha details the importance of being a value creator — moving beyond normal transactional relationships.
• Shares story about working for Gary Vaynerchuk for 1.5 years without pay, focusing on extraordinary value and consistency.
• “If you can learn how to create value for someone, they’re going to want to keep you around in their lives…” [32:23]

What’s Next for Maha?

[33:26 – 35:20]

• Maha aims to expand direct-to-consumer offerings — online courses, coaching, and a new book in the works.
• Wants to help everyday people (not just celebrities and CEOs) build their personal brands.

Maha’s Downtime

[35:20 – 36:53]

• Favorite downtime activities: playing tennis, spending time with family, reading.
• “It's meditative, it’s silent. I’m not on my phone. I'm reading. I'm focused on words. I’m learning, I’m feeding my curiosity.” [36:26]

How to Connect with Maha

[37:22 – 37:49]

• Website: mahaabutlenein.com; shares a newsletter and course/workshop info
• Instagram/LinkedIn DMs: Maha answers them herself

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [03:24] Maha: “When you do [prioritize relationships], everything else comes from it. And if you treat people right, you look for the right thing. You look to add the right value. You look to build a genuine relationship.”
• [13:22] Maha: “Stories are what connect us and what move us… being good at storytelling and sharing your narrative, it’s critical in today’s day and age.”
• [15:32] Maha: “Your news digest cannot be one source. …Yes, printed books in a digital age matter.”
• [21:30] Maha: “Keep it short, breathe, slow down.”
• [26:35] Maha: “Your reputation is your currency. It’s the most valuable thing you own.”
• [29:12] Maha: “Your reputation comes from what people say about you when you’re not in the room.”
• [32:23] Maha: “If you can learn how to create value for someone, they’re going to want to keep you around in their lives…”
• [25:10] Maha: “Don’t be a waiter. …Go from being a waiter… to being a creator.”
• [36:26] Maha: "It's meditative, it’s silent. I’m not on my phone. I'm reading. I'm focused on words. I’m learning, I’m feeding my curiosity."

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [03:24] Maha on prioritizing relationships, not transactions
• [07:01] Preserving Egyptian culture while growing up in Minnesota
• [13:22] Why storytelling and communication matter now more than ever
• [15:32] Maha’s learning approach: be a consumer of stories and books
• [21:30] Maha’s three prep tips for media interviews
• [24:15] Introduction to "7 Rules of Self-Reliance"
• [28:07] How to rebuild your reputation; trust bank analogy
• [32:23] Maha’s story of providing value for Gary Vaynerchuk
• [35:20] Maha on downtime, tennis, and restorative activities

Summary Table

| Topic | Timestamp | Key Takeaway / Quote | |----------------------------|---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Background & Upbringing | 04:43–09:33 | Navigating cultures, immigrant experience, preserving identity. | | Mindset & Relationships | 03:24–04:22 | "Not putting an emphasis on transactions, putting an emphasis on relationships and doing that good." | | Storytelling & Career | 11:17–15:47 | Critical skill for connection and distinction in a noisy world. | | Book Overview | 24:15–27:41 | Self-reliance is about being your best before seeking help, not doing everything alone. | | Building Reputation | 28:07–29:34 | Reputation = currency; digital presence and relationships matter. | | Thinking Miraculously | 29:40–32:47 | “Be a value creator… not what I think is valuable, but what you find valuable.” | | What’s Next | 33:26–35:20 | New consumer-facing courses and impact for “non-Gary Vees.” | | Downtime, Hobbies | 35:20–36:53 | Tennis, family, and reading as ways to recharge. | | Getting in Touch | 37:22–37:49 | MahaAbouelenein.com, Instagram, LinkedIn. |

Final Reflections

Maha’s journey, insights, and actionable advice outline why communication is the key differentiator for individuals and brands. She urges everyone to be proactive, stop waiting, invest in their reputation, and become value creators in all aspects of life.

Tim and Maha’s rapport creates a vibrant, motivating episode that leaves listeners with concrete strategies and a belief in the “miracle mentality”—living at their utmost by embracing extraordinary thinking, relationships, and storytelling.