Where Tradition and Innovation Meet at the Same Steering Wheel - Life, Passion, and Aston Martin wit

A hectic work schedule, the disciplined world of sports, and high expectations…

Combining his long career in the tourism and event organization sectors with his managerial role in the Water Polo Federation, Öge Özalp embraces the same perspective in every aspect of life: renewing without breaking with tradition. The Aston Martin DBX707 is both a symbol and a complement to this approach.

1. Looking back on your career journey, what was the main driving force that brought you to where you are today?

Throughout my life, I've firmly believed that if you don't truly love what you do, it's very difficult to achieve sustainable success in it. My career began in tourism; I worked in various fields, from hotel management to travel agency work, gaining firsthand experience in many aspects of the sector. This period taught me what it means to build organizations, manage people, and keep a structure afloat.

For the past three years, however, I have been using this experience in a very different field, in my role as Vice President of the Turkish Water Polo Federation. Our work at the federation today is to make water polo a more visible, stronger, and internationally competitive sport in Turkey. The discipline, innovation, and courageous decision-making reflexes I acquired in various sectors in the past form the basis of my approach to sports today.

2. How did water polo become such a central part of your life?

Actually, everything developed quite naturally. Spending summers on Burgazada for the past 25 years inevitably leads you to water polo, the island's traditional sport. My wife is a former national water polo player, my brother-in-law is a national athlete… and with my son playing the sport from a young age, water polo has become a part of our family life.

What started as a journey I was involved in as a spectator and parent gradually evolved into a point where I felt I needed to take responsibility. Today, actively participating in the federation, I clearly see that sport is not just about the struggle on the field. Relationships behind the scenes, international contacts, and courageous decisions are just as crucial as performance in the pool.

3. How do you strike a balance between “tradition” and “innovation” in your life and choices?

For me, tradition and innovation are not opposing concepts, but rather complementary elements. I value this highly in my life, in my work, and in my car choices. Completely abandoning traditional values ​​and chasing only the new has never seemed right to me. The real issue is being able to preserve the established while properly integrating the new within it.

I feel this very clearly in the Aston Martin DBX. For example, the old-style push-button gearshift panel was a very special detail for me. Preserving a design philosophy from the past inside an extremely modern and innovative car makes you feel special and keeps the spirit of the brand alive. It's the same with my outlook on life; I prefer to move forward by adapting the experience I've gained from the past to today's conditions.

4. What keeps you mentally alert amidst this hectic pace?

In the midst of a busy work and sports schedule, creating a personal space is invaluable. For me, that space is behind the wheel. Getting in the car and taking a short drive in the early morning, before the city is fully awake, incredibly relaxes me mentally.

Driving disconnects you from external factors. Phones fall silent, the daily hustle and bustle stops, and you have space to think. I've noticed that I clarify many of my decisions, innovative ideas, plans, and even issues I'm trying to resolve while driving. That's why driving is more of a conscious ritual for me than a necessity.

5. How would you describe your lifestyle and outlook on life?

Freedom. The freedom to do what I want, when I want. Sometimes it's making a spontaneous decision to leave early in the morning and have a cup of tea in Kartepe; sometimes it's a simple fish meal by the sea; and sometimes it's a long coffee with friends.

Istanbul is an integral part of this understanding of freedom. It's a chaotic yet inspiring city. In my opinion, it's the most beautiful city in the world; the only city where I could live… Its history, sea, cuisine, architecture, art, and multicultural structure nourish the soul. Even its chaos, traffic, noise, and hustle and bustle do me good. Rather than monotony, it's the movement, diversity, and vibrancy that keep me going.

6. What role does the car play in your life?

For me, a car represents freedom, passion, and a completely personal space. The moment I get behind the wheel, I disconnect from the pace of daily life and find myself alone. Therefore, driving isn't just about getting from one place to another; it's a consciously created period of time.

Actually, my work and home are very close; I can walk to most places. So I'm not someone who uses a car out of necessity. On the contrary, there are times when I deliberately make time for myself, even going out of my way, just to drive. For me, a car isn't an escape route; it's a space I consciously enter and enjoy.

7. How did your path cross with Aston Martin, and what factors influenced your decision to choose the DBX707?

At some point, I felt ready for this brand. I'd driven many different vehicles in the SUV segment before; performance and speed have always been important to me. But what sets the DBX707 apart is that, despite its powerful presence, it never flaunts it in an intrusive way.

People recognize it as an Aston Martin, of course, but it doesn't overwhelm you; this creates a strong sense of privacy. That's why I chose the 707. I could have opted for a lower-spec version, but I didn't want to have any regrets. And I'm glad I did. I already owned a DBX707, but I liked it so much that I went and bought a brand new one.

8. What does owning an Aston Martin mean to you?

For me, owning an Aston Martin is definitely more than just owning a car; it means becoming part of a particular world, a particular perspective. Spending time in your showroom, taking my car to the Service Centre for maintenance – even just being in that atmosphere is a natural part of the experience. Nobody goes to a dealership for a standard brand of car just for a weekend coffee; but with Aston Martin, it's very common.

With Aston Martin, the concept of a car transforms into a sense of belonging to a community. Coming together with like-minded people, going for drives together, meeting at special events and gatherings… Here, the car becomes more than just a vehicle; it becomes a connection builder. After all, a car is just four wheels; the real difference is the sense of privilege and belonging you feel with this brand.

9. What features make the DBX707 special in your eyes, and what feelings does it evoke in you?

The DBX707 is one of those rare cars that can embody different characters simultaneously; it's a very special car. As agile and dynamic as a sports car, as comfortable as a limousine, as functional as an SUV. An SUV like no other… It doesn't tire you on long journeys; on the contrary, it moves in sync with you.

There's a power at your fingertips, ready to be used at any moment. It has an atmosphere like listening to an opera in an opera house; and when you want, it offers the engine power to make you hear the roar of a lion.

The DBX707 evokes a very clear sense of control and harmony in me. The car moves in sync with me; the moment I get behind the wheel, it senses what I want and responds accordingly. There's a significant amount of power at your fingertips, ready at any moment, but this power never feels uncontrolled or uncomfortable. On the contrary, it's extremely balanced and comfortable.

And then there's the very clear ego aspect. The DBX707 is the best and healthiest material to inflate your ego. But you do it without asserting superiority over anyone, without bothering anyone. It's entirely a feeling about yourself. You're focused on yourself; there's no need to prove anything to others. It makes you feel powerful, but not by shouting, but with a quiet self-confidence. For me, that's exactly what makes DBX special.

10. What does Aston Martin's "Power. Beauty. Soul." philosophy represent in your life?

Rumi's saying, "I was raw, I was cooked, I was burned," speaks volumes at this point. When a person initially buys a vehicle, they do so to get around. After a few attempts, they find a vehicle that suits them better and mature. When they reach the "burning" stage, they seek something more special; something that represents themselves, their soul, and their character… For me, the Aston Martin stands at exactly this point.

Trying things at a young age doesn't give the same feeling as trying them after a certain age. Orson Welles has a famous quote: "I know what it's like to be young; but you don't know what it's like to be old."

Sometimes, what you possess takes you to this "burning" stage. Can you imagine, only 13 DBX707s were sold in Turkey. To be one of those 13 people in Turkey… To feel the power, to see the beauty, and to connect with the soul… The DBX embodies these three concepts. Owning an Aston Martin isn't just about owning a four-wheeled vehicle; it's about being part of a certain maturity and perspective on life.

This interview reveals not only the technical prowess of the Aston Martin DBX707, but also how it positions itself as a lifestyle, an attitude, and a spirit. Öge Özalp's account powerfully reflects how the connection forged behind the wheel influences the overall rhythm of life.