Raha Moharrak: Being an ambassador for Tag Heuer is a powerful way of breaking stereotypes

The very first time Tag Heuer was really on my radar was years ago, before I even began my climbing career. I landed in Dubai airport and there was a huge billboard with the tagline “don’t crack under pressure.” I think it was the first year it was used and I was just blown away by how it resonated with me. I’ve always believed that everybody has a chance of being great. Everyone has that potential, but only those who literally don’t crack under pressure are the ones who are molded and shaped into who they are and go on to have records and pages in history. At the time, I had no idea that I would find my name in the record books, but I took the message to heart and it stayed with me throughout my training.

 

Sometimes, I feel like my whole life has been about not cracking under pressure, or not giving in to the limitations society set up for me. From a young age, I was always curious and eccentric. These are challenging traits to have, but my parents never expected me to change, and they taught me to dream big. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Communications from the American University of Sharjah and had a career in graphic design before I began climbing.

 

My first summit was Kilimanjaro, which started my love affair with mountains. I went on to reach 8 more summits. On May 18th, 2013, I made history by being the first Saudi woman to reach the summit of Everest, proving that we can all achieve the impossible, no matter whom we are or where we’re from. Today, I work to inspire young people, especially girls, that there are no limits to their dreams and no barriers to their accomplishments if they work hard enough and persevere. If I can touch the sky, they can do anything!

 

Since summiting Everest, so many doors have opened up for me, including the opportunity to work with Tag Heuer. When our partnership began, I was over the moon! I only dreamed of having a long term relationship with them when they first approached me and I never imagined they would actually make it come true. Tag Heuer has never had collaboration with a Saudi woman before and to be able to represent my country in this way is absolutely incredible. Watches are not just products. They are an intimate and personal part of our lives, and part of our larger culture. I'm so grateful for this amazing opportunity because a story is only as powerful as the hearts and minds it reaches, and being an ambassador for Tag Heuer is a powerful way of breaking stereotypes.

 

I am also so inspired by Tag Heuer’s dynamic international team, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Bella Hadid, Chris Hemsworth and many others. It’s quite incredible to be one of those representatives, and be working with such an accomplished group of people. The experiences I’ve had because of our partnership have been amazing so far and the projects we’ve worked on together are very special to me. Not only are they visually stunning, they also capture the honest emotions and love behind what I do in such a unique way.

The watches themselves are now an essential part of my life. The one I wear most often is the Aquaracer. The size is perfect for me. It’s subtle, practical, and I like the fit. I also really like the Link because the band is one of the most comfortable I’ve ever experienced. I’m very active in every aspect of my life and this watch feels like it becomes a part of me, so it is never a distraction.

 

When training, I use the Connected Modular smartwatch. Watches in general are an integral part of the training process. They help you track your conditioning, endurance and time. However, I can’t trust just any watch for that. I need something that will keep up with me, remain accurate, and not quit. The Connected Modular never lets me down and its sleek and stylish design is a definite bonus. It is very useful for timing and tracking and it even organizes my schedule for me! The first time I wore it, I was geeking out the whole time. Tag Heuer designers push the limits and never compromise, which is my philosophy, too. It’s probably why I love their designs so much and it’s incredible that they’ve created such a powerful device that fits around my wrist.

 

Last winter, I had the opportunity to visit Tag Heuer’s headquarters in Geneva, which was such a wonderful experience. I strive to live curiously all the time because every person you meet, or city you visit, is an opportunity to learn something new. I was so impressed with the watches already, and observing the design team make them in front of me was incredible. I had so many questions that I worried they’d get tired of me, but they indulged me every step of the way. They were so generous with their time and I came away with a whole other level of understanding and appreciation for the designs.

 

I think that experience in Geneva illustrates how I approach life. I’ve already climbed the seven summits, so people sometimes assume I’ve accomplished everything I want to do already, but nothing could be further from the truth! Every day is an opportunity to live a life that is complete and full of learning and new experiences. I want to continue climbing and seeing the world. I hope to inspire a new generation of women to surpass me and keep reaching for more. There is nothing they cannot do! Most importantly, I want to be an example for my future children so that they know they can do anything they set their minds to, and live remarkable lives. When they are just starting out, I will tell them that the best part is you cannot even imagine where your journey will take you at the beginning. Just like I couldn’t imagine working with Tag Heuer when I first saw the “Don’t Crack Under Pressure” billboard in Dubai, they will also experience remarkable connections like that, too.