Aykut “Ike” Ogut

There are very few Turkish men I admire and respect; and this guy has entered the list at the top. I had not heard his name before,not up until a couple of weeks ago when I ran across his book: “Evrenden Torpilim Var”. Translated into English, it basically means “The Universe Favors Me”. Although an interesting title, I wasn’t intrigued by the average cover- it resembled any other self-help/life-coaching book.

But when I read the back, I was hooked. What did it say? Oh well, basically this guy has given a summary of two major parts of his life. His weight did reach 150 kgs (something around 300 pounds),  he has been to jail where he found out he lost his father, he was beaten so hard that he lost sight with one eye ,survived on cornflakes mixed with beer,has lived in a foreign country (the States) where he moved to before learning the language…        

Then he narrates the second part where he learned that foreign language so well that he did voice-overs , played leads in movies in that country, lost 70 kgs (~140 IBS), … and basically got everything he wanted out of life.        

        I read the book in 2 days. It is funny,thought-provoking and very easy to identify with. You don’t really have the guts,or the will to challenge the author on any matter because whatever you have been through, he has been through worse. Whatever you want to manage, he has managed it. The guy has studied acting in Los Angeles and played in theaters in New York. He wasn’t just another American stuggling actor,doing whatever job he could findto survive:he also had the visa issues that us foreigners are unfortunately so familiar with.  He has a theory that you might disagree with: He believes that the universe presents you a reality that you have helped be created. When you are about to say, “come on man-you’ ve got to be shitting me!”, he comes up with so many good real life examples that hit home that you admit defeat. And it is in your favor to do so, because this guy has pulled off so much,so well.       

 Let’s take a broad look: He makes good money, loves what he does, he can work in the States and in Turkey as an actor and voice artist/director, he is an established life-coach (he also has a funny story about his American coach who taught him all about everything) and h?mm-oh yeah- he is also married to his soulmate.      

       A definite role-model for me. I am so happy to find a Turkish person who is just as crazy and well-passionate. As I finish, I want to share my fav. advice from him: (paraphrased)-Don’t listen to your friends or family when it comes to your dreams. They may have the best intentions but they will only get in your way. I should know-my friends were asking me to if I hadn’t been famous yet and suggestes I come back to Turkey. And there I was working as a dishwasher…* Does it sound familiar,people? My parents-especially my mom-loves to talk about how 95% (or more) of the people in the movie/writing businesses are miserable and I should get a regular job and do the rest as a hobby. I have had the same dream for 13 years. Give me a break. I might fail- I just wanna fail on my own terms.*Oh and the good friends? They have so much to say about our age, romantic possibilities and expeactations. I sometimes find myself thinking “who are these people??? Are they there for encouragement or sabotage? Geez!!!

link  for Turkish-speakers:

http://www.ayratown.com/videos/beyaz.html