#whywerun - Kent Ohori

#whywerun - Kent Ohori

We were lucky enough to cross paths with Kent in 2021 and since then have learnt more about the big things he is doing in the community with Rebound Club as well as undertaking some epic personal challenges for reasons bigger than himself..

Learn more about Kent through the questions he's kindly answered below.

Words: Kent Ohori

Images: Marc Mutch

• Who is Kent Ohori and where did your love for endurance / sport come from

Kent is the founder of Rebound Club, a newly established platform that aims to promote the use of exercise to help everyday people become better versions of themselves. He has only exercise to thank for overcoming his own personal setbacks with poor mental health and is on a mission to promote his enlightening experiences throughout the wider community. Kent is on a continuous journey to prove to others through his exercise challenges and Rebound Club, that we are all capable of more than we imagine.

Kent was always a lover of sports in school. Good at everything but great at none. Fairly fit but never applied himself to the fullest. It wasn’t until a few years ago when he realised how unfit he became due to a few unhealthy habits that he decided it was time to start running again. This came at the perfect time as this happened at the same time that his life came crashing down. Thanks to exercise and fitness, he managed to overcome his struggles and consequently fell in love with endurance sports.

• What is an Everestman?

Everestman is basically a combination of an Ironman triathlon and an everesting challenge. Reaching the 8848m elevation that is required to complete an Everesting challenge but in all three disciplines of a triathlon one after another. Obviously you can’t climb in the swim so just 8848m in total distance followed by a cycling Everest and running Everest.

Only one person has ever completed it but I will be the first person in Australia, and throughout the entire southern hemisphere.

Swim - 8848m distance (2.5-3hrs)
Bike - 8848m elevation (14-15hrs)
Run - 8848m elevation (25-26hrs)
Total: 42 to 48 hours in total (hopefully)

• How did you find the half Everestman and what might you do differently for the full?

Painful.. I’ve done more Everesting bike challenges than I can remember but none of them can compare to the toll the run takes on the body. The brutal impact of every step on the descents were something that will need to be managed differently in the full distance attempt. 

The segment I chose for the run has a brutal climb stepping up from 25 to 40% so walking down will be of massive importance. Maybe even just sliding down… Whatever it takes I guess right? I also didn’t have walking sticks or a hydration vest which will be really useful. Although the two sticks I use for the 12 or so hours worked just fine...

I will definitely be freezing bottles of electrolytes for to help cool me down during the day, especially in this heat. A good friend of mine brought me a box of icy poles which were by far the MVP on the half distance attempt. Thanks Barlow. A few more boxes next time.

• What is your underlying 'why' because no doubt when it gets tough, you have something to keep you moving forward..

When it gets tough, I just remember the many times that I have managed to overcome adversity and setbacks in the past. Whether it was with my exercise challenges, races, or with my mental health, I am just so grateful to still be alive and have the opportunity on a daily basis to better myself both physically and mentally through pushing myself into the unknown limits of my capabilities. I definitely do these challenges to also inspire others to go on their own personal exercise journey towards a better self so knowing that I have the power to change peoples lives is definitely a massive motivator to never give up.

There has been countless times in the past where I have been in a position where my mind would do everything and anything in its power to try convince me to give up but I always persevered. I guess I’ve done it so many times now that I’ve conditioned myself to knowing that I’m capable of anything. I am still yet to fail.

I never eat fast food, but I always dangle that carrot in front of me during the tough times. I try to imagine in as much detail as possible what I am going to eat and drink or do post-event. Imagining this in as much detail as possible is important to make it as real as possible. Hungry Jacks has been a favourite as of late. I tend to order enough for an entire family and its somewhat satisfying knowing that I’ve burnt more calories than $50 worth of fast food. It’s the small things right?

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You can follow and support Kent on Instagram here