Pre-Zero Sports Talk
Welcome to Pre-Zero Sports Talk, where sports, leadership, faith, community, and clean progress intersect. Hosted by Sid Bensalah, with over 30 years of global sports industry experience, this podcast isn’t about quick fixes or empty talk. It’s a platform for authentic, purpose-driven conversations that go beyond the game to explore how sports can drive positive, actionable change.
Born from a passion for impact, Pre-Zero Sports Talk dives into today’s most pressing themes: performance and well-being, leadership, innovation, coaching, community impact, sustainability, regenerative agriculture, governance, geopolitics, and more. Each episode cuts through the noise and greenwashing, engaging with trailblazers, changemakers, and thought leaders to uncover solutions and inspire new perspectives.
This is a space for real conversations with real people about real issues — stories that challenge norms, break barriers, and spark transformation. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, business leader, or someone who believes in the power of sport to make a difference, there’s a seat at the table for you.
Subscribe now to join a movement that informs, inspires, and empowers. Together, let’s redefine the role of sports in shaping a cleaner, safer, and more connected world — one episode at a time.
Pre-Zero Sports Talk
Why Marat Omarov Gave Up Everything to Create a Regenerative Future in Costa Rica
In episode #80, Sid Bensalah discusses with Marat Omarov, founder of The ARK, a regenerative village in the lush landscapes of Costa Rica, to explore one of the most radical life changes ever featured on the show.
Born and raised in Kazakhstan during the collapse of the Soviet Union, Marat shares how his early life in a strict, hierarchical system of military school, government service, and major political projects like Expo 2017 ultimately left him burned out and disconnected.
What followed was a complete reset: moving away from structured power to rediscovering freedom in Mexico and eventually establishing a community based on regenerative living, shared ownership, and purpose-driven leadership in Costa Rica.
Together, they explore:
- The difference between sustainability and regeneration
- Why Traditional Leadership Models Are Failing
- How The ARK challenges current beliefs about land, ownership, and success
- The mental and emotional toll of high-performance careers, and ways to recover
- Real stories of transformation from people who have visited or joined The ARK
00:00 Why Marat Omarov Left It All to Build a Regenerative Future in Costa Rica
00:01 Introduction and Greetings
01:59 Marat's Early Life in Kazakhstan
04:04 Military School and Early Leadership
06:43 Struggles and Realizations
08:35 Return to Kazakhstan and Political Involvement
17:09 Burnout and Transition to Mexico
21:10 The Birth of ARK
27:29 Living in Costa Rica
28:07 Reflections on Mexico and Costa Rica
29:01 The Concept of Regenerative Living
29:46 Sustainability vs. Regeneration
30:45 Expo 2017 and Public Understanding
40:01 Challenges of Hierarchical Structures
46:52 The Vision for the ARK Community
48:56 Future of Living and Leadership
50:58 Lightning Round Q&A
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