Tomáš Gáll – founder of the Active Life project

Tomáš Gáll is a runner, athlete and organizer of various sports events. He is also engaged in charitable activities. He founded the Active Life project. It is a group of enthusiastic athletes who support and encourage other people to play sports. EXIsport is the main partner of Active Life.

What inspired you to establish the Active Life project?

Ever since college, I've been constantly inventing something. He organized various events, balls, exhibitions, openings and university festivals. After the height came a small depression.

Officially, the first idea arose on January 10, 2014, when I decided without preparation to try hardening on Lake Košice. Friends also accepted this challenge -   Radovan "RadyActive" Gergeľ and Jaroslav Dzúrik. To encourage us, Braňo Mojsej played the song Loď, which sails into the unknown on the guitar. After that "dive" and the great response of people, I started to come up with the name of our group. We went every Sunday and gradually more and more people joined us. Over time it got warmer and I was inventing something new.

What do you think are the advantages of mass sports events?

We have been organizing running trainings for the general public for years. Every Tuesday, always at 19:00. At least that was the case before the pandemic. The advantage was that one knew that there could be any weather, but we would still be at the agreed place on Tuesday, always running with a smile. It is still primarily about psychological well-being. We were never professionals, maybe that's why the general public joined us, they didn't take us as a classic running club, rather a community that runs for fun.

Why is it good to join the Active Life project?

We create all year round and bring various challenges. We connect people all over Slovakia, we create new bonds and contacts. We motivate and support each other, and last but not least, we help those who need it. We connected running and charity. We launched a successful CHARITY RUN TOUR series where, in addition to runners collecting medals that fit together beautifully, they help various organizations and individuals.  

Which sporting event are you most proud of?

Everyone is something different and unique, everyone has something in them. By going from one to the other, I'm always looking forward to the new challenge that comes with it. We are constantly trying to improve our projects and always bring an experience. Our runs should not be about competing with someone else, but about surpassing yourself. Therefore, the vast majority of them are non-competitive.

I am proud of Running in the Zoo. There might be nothing wrong with that, but I made it up on Easter Sunday. It was a very non-standard term that was condemned by some, but welcomed by others. Almost 400 runners already lined up for the first run, and we knew we were on the right track. Subsequently, events such as:

• HILL RACE – running uphill

• Get to know Košice

•  King Robert's Run

• Charitable St. Nicholas Run

And so non-runners started organizing running events

Playing sports is your lifestyle. Which sport is your favorite?

I've never been particularly fond of sports, but ever since we started running together, I always look forward to running together. For the atmosphere, smiles, well-being. It is truly priceless relaxation.

You often organize running events. What would you recommend to beginners?

To start running. The hardest thing is to get moving, then it goes by itself. However, we all remember the beginnings, with the passage of time, as the most beautiful period. That's why, if someone wants to join, let them come among us. We well remember how it was when we started running. We are happy to advise and support. There are already many of us and we are growing all over Slovakia. Several running legends have even joined us, which makes us extremely happy and motivated. We will certainly use their advice and experience.

What led you to charity work?

I always liked to help. Here I was kicked by our runner Žaneta, who once called me to see if we could come up with something for Dominika, who has several health problems and needs support. I didn't hesitate for a moment and the first Charity Run was born. Since then, we have managed to collect and redistribute the amount of €89,419.21. It is an incredibly beautiful result for all of us.

What are your further plans in connection with the Active Life project?

Definitely continue what we started, the avalanche we started. Motivate non-athletes to move, because once they get moving, they start running, they tend to try other sports as well. Our runners have already switched to cycling and some want to take up triathlon. Thanks to the fact that some of them got moving by giving super performances, we have already founded a sports club called Active life team. Anyone who is interested in belonging can join us. Thanks to the cooperation with EXIsport, we are also starting to focus on Active life clothing , which is very popular.

You can learn more about Active Life and their sports activities at www.projektactivelife.sk

Active life - JOIN US!

Thank you for the interview. I wish you many successful sporting events.

Publication date: 1/3/2022

Author: Ingrida Vravcová

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