Meet Hamada Zahawi of Santa Monica

Today we’d like to introduce you to Hamada Zahawi.

Hi Hamada, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born abroad but came to the U.S. as a young child, only to leave again for Egypt for most of my childhood. When I eventually returned for college, I was driven by two specific goals:

1. To secure the absolute best education possible so I could lead a life of service.
2. To travel the world, a dream that felt especially urgent given the travel restrictions I faced as an Iraqi-American.

After completing my undergraduate degree at UCLA and my law degree at Berkeley, I wanted to help others find their voice. In 2008, I founded Write Track Admissions, an admissions consulting business that has since helped thousands of students hone their narratives and tell the stories that truly make them shine on college and graduate school applications. My experience with Write Track Admissions has shown that compelling storytelling is the ultimate tool for building an unforgettable personal brand. In addition, I learned the importance of cultivating core future-ready qualities and a mindset that allows one to remain irreplaceable in the job market.

During this time, I also found my calling in public service by working under the Obama Administration, where I served as an International Attorney-Advisor supporting global trade and investment in specific countries. I eventually returned to the classroom to complete a Master’s degree at the Kennedy School before finally making my way back home to California. Since returning, I’ve continued to grow Write Track Admissions while serving as an advisor and general counsel for several companies, including most recently a medical technology company where we’re focused on delivering “Longevity for the 99%.”

Parallel to my career, I’ve been relentlessly pursuing that second life goal: traveling the world to highlight communities that are often overlooked or misunderstood. I’ve been exploring the globe for 25 years now, and I recently launched a travel vlog, youtube.com/final50world, to document those experiences through the lens of Education (Mind), Exploration (Body), and Entertainment (Soul). My mission is to see every single country on Earth, and as of today, I’m down to my final 26 nations!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I faced several challenges personally, academically, and professionally throughout my life. Early on, I struggled as a student and had to put in an immense amount of work to eventually shine and excel here in the U.S. I also faced challenges as a Muslim Iraqi-American living through some of America’s most turbulent political moments. But I am a firm believer that you often have to go through hell to get to heaven. Those experiences taught me to be resilient, resourceful, and curious. These are core values that have allowed me to truly appreciate life and learn from each challenge.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As I mentioned, being of Iraqi origin, I faced significant limitations traveling the world for the majority of my youth. This gave me a deep desire to never take the freedom of mobility for granted. I have since explored many of these misunderstood nations, like Iraq, and devoted my attention to showing people the necessity of staying curious and looking beyond stereotypes and misinformation. I truly believe that through curiosity, we keep people engaged, open-minded, and interconnected; that is a core part of my value system and how I choose to lead my life.

What makes you happy?
I actually asked myself that recently. What truly makes me happy, the place where I can actually feel the dopamine rush, is exploring. I love being outdoors in places that are foreign to me and in nature that truly humbles me. That is when I feel most alive.

It is why I travel so much, not just internationally, but right here in the U.S. Whether I am visiting our National Parks or just stepping into new communities and allowing my five senses to be activated, this is how I tune into gratitude and find my greatest source of happiness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.writetrackadmissions.com
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/final50world