Auckland-based endurance athlete, coach and mental health advocate, Stefan Ozich is redefining what human resilience looks like.
In 2024, Stefan completed one of the most demanding endurance challenges ever attempted in New Zealand — running and hiking the length of the country and back again on the Te Araroa Trail. Covering more than 6,000 kilometres over nearly four months, he became one of the few people to complete the trail twice in a single continuous journey, finishing at Cape Reinga in January 2025.
This extraordinary feat was far more than a physical challenge. It was a deeply personal mission driven by loss, purpose, and a determination to confront one of New Zealand’s most pressing issues - men’s mental health. Having lost both his brother and a close friend to suicide, Stefan undertook the journey to raise awareness and funds for The Last Chance Project, helping to spark open conversations around mental health and encourage men to seek support.
Throughout the journey, Stefan faced extreme physical and mental adversity. From relentless fatigue and injury to severe weather conditions, including a medical evacuation from the Tararua Ranges during freezing rain, the challenge pushed him to the limits of endurance. Yet it was in these moments of suffering that the deeper meaning of the run emerged — a lived demonstration of perseverance, vulnerability, and hope.
With over four years of endurance experience, Stefan has completed multiple 100‑mile ultramarathons, Ironman and Half Ironman events, and countless marathons and half marathons. As a coach and podcaster, he shares raw insights into the realities of endurance sport, grief, resilience, and the mental battles that accompany extreme performance.
Stefan’s story is not about records or accolades alone. It is about choosing to face pain head‑on, using endurance as a platform for purpose, and shining light into the darkness that too many men experience in silence. Through his journey, he continues to challenge perceptions of strength — proving that vulnerability, connection, and asking for help are powerful acts of courage.
