She is sparkling on the stages after the podiums. Being interested in most branches of sports from judo to volleyball and from athleticism to swimming, Tuğba Özay replied the questions asked by Sport Life …

What is the importance of sports in your life?

Sports is an indispensible passion for me and my life philosophy. I have been doing sports since I was a child. I have experienced happiness and sadness together most of the time. Sports makes people have experience. I felt more confident while I was doing sports and started to have a more positive view towards life. I realized that my body was more beautiful. I can say that even the smile on my face changed. I feel as if I am betraying my body when I am nor exercising.

How did your adventure with sports start? Which sports are you doing?

I started sports when I was a child. I swam for Galatasaray Club for ten years. I played volleyball for Fenerbahçe Club for 5 years. I was also the team leader of the school volleyball team. Besides these branches, I was interested in judo and diving. I dived up to 40 meters. I have experienced night diving and even ocean diving. I crazy about motorcycles and I think motorcycling is also a sports branch. I was also interested in athleticism. I can run well and water ski. I dealt with sailing, too. Sports can be found at all phases of my life.

How do you like sports as a spectator? Which branches of sports are you following?

I try to watch the football matches on TV whenever I find time. I also watch swimming and athleticism competitions as well as motorcycle races.

How did sports contribute in you?

First of all, I did individual sports and obtained individual gaining. Failures are included in this. Secondarily, I did team sports and could understand the team spirit. I have experienced happiness and sadness together most of the time. Sports makes people have experience. I felt more confident while I was doing sports and started to have a more positive view towards life. I realized that my body was more beautiful. I can say that even the smile on my face changed. People who are doing sports release serotonin hormones and as you know, and thus you help yourself both physiologically and psychologically.

 What kind of mood are you in while doing sports?

For example, while swimming, I feel that my spirit and brain are free.

If you were a branch of sports, which sports branch would you be?

I would definitely be swimming. Swimming is the only sports that work all the muscles in the body. I think it is a colorful and hardworking sport. Since I have a hardworking and colorful personality I enjoy swimming very much.

Do you like football? What is your favorite team?

I was not very much interested in football. I used to know the basic things about it. But since my husband is a footballer and a footballer manager, I have learned a lot, thanks to him. Because he is working with football stars in the world, I have a lot of information on football in the world. Talking about a team, I swam for Galatasaray and played volleyball for Fenerbahçe. Therefore I was always between these two teams. On the other hand, Beşiktaş is a public team. I understand from the reactions that people accepted and loved me. Therefore, I do not want to be in between and prefer to be a fan of National team.

Are you following any footballers?

I was following the achievements of Derya Büyükuncu. Derya was our idol. I was also following Kenan sofuoğlu and Süreyya Ayhan.

Considering your love for motorcycle, we understand that you love extreme sport. Are you performing any of them?

I love climbing up the hills and tracking. Because I am in love with water I also do water sports.

The DVD called “Fitness with Tuğba Özay” you launched in 2003 attracted great attention and this is still valid. Can you give us some information on this DVD project?

This DVD was my idea. We came to the final phase with a few producers but could not realize it. Finally, we came together with Fatih Aksoy from MED Production with the purpose of producing a certain program. I put forward this idea of mine. Fatih Bey liked it. He said they were thinking of producing a program for women and I brought this project in. We immediately started preparations and 2 months later, this project was realized. Although I was a sporter, I and a friend of mine who was an academician in this field in Marmara University did trainings for one month. We produced both a 90 minute  program and shorter programs.

 Do you have new projects?

While launching the Fitness DVD, I put my signature under what I knew. Just think. Tuğba Özay is a brand and that brand has many products. This work was one of those products. If I want to produce another product again, why should I not do it?

What are your secrets for your health and beauty?

 I love and apply Turkish bath, steam bath and peeling. I think they help me get rid of the tocsins from my body. I apply face mask by mixing yoghurt with honey. I take milk bath. And wash my face with soda water. I apply cucumber slices on my eye lids. I never use foundation cream even if I apply intense make up. I never sleep with my make up on. I do not smoke and am not very fond of alcohol. I get oxygen therapy done on my face and let my face breathe. I mix almond, thyme, olive oil and many other oils and apply it on my body. I definitely apply ice and cold water. People can easily look after themselves in cheap and natural ways.