Evren Ozka, famously known as "The Man Who Ran Across the 7 Emirates," is a remarkable endurance athlete whose extraordinary journey through the United Arab Emirates captured the imagination and admiration of many. His ambitious feat involved running across all seven emirates, a testament to his physical stamina, mental resilience, and unwavering determination.
Throughout his journey, Ozka faced numerous obstacles, including extreme weather conditions and the grueling demands of long-distance running. However, his mission extended beyond personal achievement. He aimed to inspire others to pursue their dreams, embrace a healthy lifestyle, and recognize the potential within themselves to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.
How was your lifestyle before your body and lifestyle transformation?
Evren: Terrible! My mental and physical health were at an all time low. My business life was very successful, but I was 20kg overweight and had bad smoking and drinking addictions. At the time when I decided to change (3 years ago) the furthest I had ever run was 5km at one time.Â
We learned that you hated running before, what changed?
Evren: I still hate running! But life is full of things you don’t want to do. I learned that the way to become empowered is to embrace the challenges of life and face them head on. Running adds discipline and structure to my life, and reminds me that I can overcome challenges that seem impossible.
What made you decide to take up the challenge of running the whole 7 emirates?
Evren: I moved to Dubai about a year ago, and I was looking for a big challenge that I could do locally. I wondered if it was possible to run across the whole country, and after some research I saw that it had already been done and several other people were attempting it. So I thought I’d better try and do it too!
What preparations did you do for the Emirates run?
Evren:  I just had to run… a lot! The challenge for me has always been trying to manage weekly mileage so that I don’t increase too quickly and get injured. I peaked at around 110-120 miles per week (190km). I would also do 3-4 hour long heavy weight training sessions just on my legs to simulate being fatigued and deteriorated, then the next day when I could barely walk, I would go for one 20 mile run.
What was the toughest part of the run?
Evren: Definitely the final day. I was already so tired and depleted, and I just wanted the suffering to be over. Right at my lowest moment the infamous storm started and we experienced torrential rain, thunder and lightning, strong wind and hailstones. We only found out about the storm the day before while passing through Dubai one of my friends told me. That was such a tough day to get through, but looking back I’m glad it was so difficult because it made me stronger.
What are your takeaways from this journey and experience?
Evren: Throughout my life (and especially for this challenge) I’ve always tried to set myself goals that were impossible for me to achieve, but somehow I am able to complete them, and it surprises me every time. Everybody has a huge untapped potential that we can all access if we put ourselves in similar difficult situations.
What advice would you give to others who are in the same situation as you before the whole transformation?
Evren: Take it one day at a time, and don’t try to change too much too quickly. Start small and build from there, momentum is everything. I had tried to change my lifestyle previously many times and failed, the main reason for my failure was that I was too focused on myself. It’s only when I thought of how this change would benefit my family and the people around me that I was able to do it.Â
Upcoming challenges? What is on your plan for the next months?
Evren: I’ve been trying to run far for the past 3 years, now it’s time to run fast! I want to try and run a marathon in under 3 hours, let’s see if it’s possible for me.Â
What are your expectations on Embody Sports Performance program?
Evren: Embody has incredible facilities and coaches, our goal is to work together to increase my performance over time to be able to complete this marathon in the goal time of under 3 hours.
What key aspects do you think you have to work with us on the most for the upcoming challenge?
Evren: Speed, strength and recovery mainly. When you run faster you are more likely to get injured so it's important to manage the daily maintenance of the body so that doesn’t happen.
Evren Ozka's story is a compelling narrative of perseverance, the spirit of adventure, and the power of human will. It serves as an inspiring example for athletes, adventurers, and anyone who dares to dream big and push beyond their boundaries. His journey across the seven emirates is a powerful reminder that with dedication and courage, extraordinary feats are within reach.
Like Evren, Embody Fitness aims to inspire and change people's lives by helping them to become the better version of themselves. Pushing boundaries and having a healthier lifestyle.
Ready to start a journey of your own and reach your maximum potential? Contact us at Embody Fitness and get started!
With our personal training team by your side, it’s all possible in as little as 8 weeks.
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