folder icon list icon new list icon new folder Save to list notifaction icon yes tick yes tick yes tick with circle delete cross delete cross minus small - for download tool delete cross plus sign - small expander search magnifying glass icon for gettign to print page icon for email addresses icon for features timing icon for features timing LinkedIn icon Facebook icon youtube icon twitter icon google+ icon external link icon fo profile pages mail icon small mail icon for contact listings phone icon phone icon for listings twitter bird save icon export icon delete icon duplicate icon move to a diff folder mini search icon right arrow
Skip navigation

Focus with Nesreen Aziz, editor of OLT | ENDURANCE

OLT | ENDURANCE is a website for endurance athletes. In this focus, editor Nesreen Aziz explains that while the subjects she covers can range from yoga, skydiving or even swimming with sharks – every article has a common goal: to excite, inspire and inform readers of the different experiences and activities that they can get involved in. Why? Because you only live twice!

About The Publication:

How do you differ from other publications in your sector?
At OLT | ENDURANCE, we not only provide advice for athletes of all standards, but we have tried and tested products too. The publications are written by athletes for athletes. The subjects can range from Trekking to Ultra-Ironman competitions, but everything has one thing in common: it is written to spread awareness of the different experiences that people can look forward to. We are also working on raising sponsorship for less fortunate people around the world to take part in the same events as us, and go about raising awareness by participating in the endurance races and spreading the word!

Describe a typical reader for us:
I can describe the current readers we have! We have a great following of multisports athletes who all swap tips and info on latest products. We have also had a reader who was simply browsing for a gift idea for his daughter’s 25th birthday (she is mad about sports) and started reading the Ironman stories. He was so blown away, got in touch and has since signed up with the Singapore Ironman in March 2010 – he is 61 years old! OLT | Endurance will be sponsoring him to finish the race. Other readers include ordinary people with full time jobs, who are looking for a new hobby, how to keep fit, and mums looking for recipes to keep the family healthy! We get questions of all types, i.e. what are the benefits of K Tape? We try to appeal to everyone who wants to do something different in life – after all, the motto is Live Life, Love Life, you Only Live Twice.

What stories are you most interested in covering in the publication?
We are most interested in covering extraordinary events from around the world, and featuring ordinary people participating in these extraordinary things. We are also very keen on giving valued information to our readers about products and new ideas for training techniques.

How does the editorial process run? Do you have specific days when you focus on different aspects of the magazine, or is the planning on a much more ad-hoc basis?
It is generally an adhoc basis, as the world of sports is very much seasonal- right now we try to focus on things you can do during the ‘off-season’ sessions, and what to look forward to – how to train ahead of races, foods to eat, nutrition to take in. There are so many activities and events to take part in, we want to give people the chance to experience them. We also want to cover all the latest products so our readers are up to date with the world of sports!

Do you use freelance contributions, and if so, are they for any particular section/type of work?
So far, the only contributions we have received have been from the general public, who submit their stories to us, and become the journalist for their feature. We would look into having experienced sports freelancers publish their work with us in the future.

About PRs:

Do you work closely with PRs?
Only recently have we been in touch with a few PRs, we want to grow in the right direction so having the best kind of help is important to us.

What information/input from PRs is most useful to you?
We like to receive information regarding the latest products on the market, especially if we can test the products for the feature. We will only print something if we believe in the product and are willing to back it. We also like to hear from people in touch with athletes who would be able to interview with us about their experiences.

What’s the best starting point for a PR who wants to tell you about their client?
Emailing me is the best way to get a response. I spend most of the day and night on the computer so you can expect a swift response. Of course, the product/information would have to be relevant to the organisation and the message we want to deliver to our readers.

Do you have a PR pet hate?
Someone sent me an email asking if I wanted to buy to let, as they thought it would be great for my subscribers! PRs are not doing their homework – a simple browse on the About Us page of the website might help.

When is the best time for PRs to contact you & when is your deadline for contributions?
Emails are read daily, Monday-Sunday, so anytime is the best time. We are in contact with athletes as far as Australia, so it is important that there is someone available at all times. There are no deadlines for contributions, we try to provide an on-going service and we realise that new and improved events, products and experiences are appearing everyday!

About You:

Describe a typical day at work.
We are still trying to establish ourselves as an organisation, and also an “Endurance Publication” for the readers and supporters of the cause, so everyday is spent finding interesting people to interview, reading new press releases, working on the website, and of course working out!

What do you love about your work?
I can honestly say that I love everything about the work that I do – especially as the ultimate cause is to help less fortunate people to experience all that we have been so privileged to experience. It all started when I completed my first Ironman competition, and fell in love with endurance multisports! My friends and family all wanted to get involved so I wanted to create something that gave them the best advice – and also help myself find the most beneficial products and accessories to go the distance. I am spreading the word about something I am wholeheartedly passionate about, and working for a cause that will give meaning to myself and so many other people.

If you weren’t doing this, what would you do?
If I wasn’t doing this, I would want to be a secret agent…but I just don’t know how that would work, I love networking and posting pictures everywhere.

What media do you seek out first thing in the morning?
I try to see if there are any new races that I can sign up to and get others on board, also look out for new training ideas that might be revolutionary to the world of sports!

[lnk|http://www.featuresexec.com/publications/info_outlet.php?pubid=15988|_self|Only Live Twice]