Meet Adnan Nasser

 

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Adnan Nasser. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Adnan below.

Hi Adnan, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

Early in my childhood, my father, Moustafa (Steve) Nasser, instilled in me the value of hard work and the importance of performing tasks within a reasonable timeframe. He is a living example of discipline and someone who never procrastinated on any major task.
Now, at the age of 70, he continues to operate his aviation inventory company in Miami, a testament to his unwavering dedication. The man has over 40 years of experience in the field of aviation. Working alongside him while pursuing my own careers in journalism and real estate investing has been invaluable. It not only allows me to learn from his example on a daily basis, but also deepens the bond we share as father and son as we navigate our professional lives together. He has also given some great advice on personal development, especially navigating through the tumultuous environment of Lebanon. At times it came off harsh, but it was always given in the spirit of seeing me succeed.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I have always found a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment in the work of journalism—it’s more of a cause than a job to me. This passion is rooted in the love I have for my ancestral homeland, Lebanon, a country that has faced relentless challenges, both internal and external. During the two years I lived in Beirut, I reported on various domestic issues and the ongoing conflict in South Lebanon. The real purpose of being in Lebanon for that long was to ask questions, develop my skills as a writer and journalist, and to also connect with people to build lasting relationships.

One will often hear the word “resilience” when speaking about the people in Lebanon. It is a term that has become overused. Frankly, the Lebanese are exhausted from hearing about it. They don’t need constant reminders of their strength—they know it all too well. What they need now is real change and a focus on the issues that truly matter, not just the repetition of worn-out clichés. Imagine having to live every day without knowing if you’ll have a chance at a normal life or not. The war being waged between Israel and Hezbollah since October of 2023, has once again made people refugees in their own country. Innocent people were either forced to flee their homes or turn to shelters as a result of the relentless shelling of Israeli warplanes. Life has become unbearable for the local population living in the south.

Eventually, I found myself having to return to the United States. Most members of the Lebanese diaspora will tell you, even though they leave Lebanon, Lebanon never leaves them. I intend to return to the country soon for a short work trip while focusing on the broader issues affecting the Middle East. However, I also have new goals in business and real estate, fields in which I have previous experience. My aim is to enter the real estate world and to build wealth as a means to provide financial support to more people in Lebanon as well as to have a better life for myself and future family. My attitude to life has always been, “If someone else can do it, so can I.” Thankfully, I am young, I have time to make mistakes and learn from them.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I’m someone with a deep curiosity and a broad range of interests, particularly in history, science, and technology—the kind of topics that some might call “geek stuff.” I’ve always had a knack for quickly absorbing knowledge in these areas, which has served me well in both my personal and professional life.

Beyond my intellectual pursuits, I’m passionate about Muay Thai boxing and martial arts. It’s not just a sport for me; it’s a lifelong commitment to discipline and personal growth. I intend to continue training indefinitely and hope to compete in tournaments if the opportunity arises.

In my writing career, one of my strongest skills is my ability to ask insightful questions and conduct compelling interviews. I’ve had the chance to interview many high-profile figures, and there have been moments when I’ve thought to myself, “That was a job well done, Adnan.”

My greatest motivation comes from my family and friends, whose belief in me drives me to succeed. I consider courage to be my most valuable skill, as it’s something that needs to be exercised regularly to stay strong. There have been times in my life and career when I’ve faced challenges that made me doubt my path, but I’ve always managed to bounce back, even if it takes a bit of time to regain my footing.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed or stressed, I turn to a friend for advice or practice Muay Thai boxing. Maybe watch a science documentary or sports. Perhaps if I want to indulge in a guilty pleasure, I’ll watch the live Star Wars series on Disney+. These activities help me sort through my thoughts, which can sometimes play tricks on a man, especially for an overthinker like me. But the top things that get me through the day, are surrounding myself with loved ones and engaging in self-defense or weightlifting. They always take me to a better state of mind.

I also find solace in reading self-development books and practicing mindfulness meditation. The current book I am reading is Atomic Habits by James Clear. I encourage everyone to read it at least once. A mantra that I love is the following, “My anxious thoughts are not mine.” While the world is full of stressful situations, I believe the key is to learn how to manage them more effectively each time. So you may grow and become stronger. I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the novelist Sherrilyn Kenyon, “The strongest steel is forged by the fires of hell. It is pounded and struck repeatedly before it’s plunged back into the molten fire. The fire gives it power and flexibility, and the blows give it strength. Those two thing make the metal pliable and able to withstand every battle it’s called upon to fight.”

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