Life at Full Tilt in Istanbul
From the outside, an advertising writer and an art consultant look like they’re living the dream. From the inside, the deadlines, late nights, and nonstop demands—plus the chaos of Istanbul—were grinding Gökhan and Gözde down. They watched friends flirt with the idea of starting over somewhere quieter, yet almost no one moved beyond daydreams. Hope felt thin. Then a small, practical change nudged everything in a better direction.
“We Started with Ourselves”
They didn’t begin with grand declarations; they began with lunch. Home-cooked meals replaced last-minute grabs. The question “What should I eat?” stopped stealing energy. One tweak led to another. They remade their kitchen habits—yogurt bubbled overnight, jars of pickles lined the counter, cheeses matured in the fridge, vinegar and even small-batch beer became weekend projects. These rituals restored a sense of control and craft. Still, something was missing.
The Omega-3 Wake-Up Call
They assumed a weekly fish dinner covered their omega-3 needs. It didn’t. Reading deeper, they learned not all fish carry meaningful EPA and DHA, the forms that actually move the needle. Supplements might help—but which ones? That question sent them down a rabbit hole.
Choosing Wisely, Not Randomly
They built their own checklist and translated it into plain rules. The oil had to meet EU and Turkish quality standards and be clearly sourced from cold, clean waters. It needed to be in triglyceride form for better absorption, deliver robust daily EPA/DHA, and be fresh and non-GMO. Capsules had to be small, natural, and reliably sealed. Because they spend summers outdoors, they preferred a formula without added vitamin D so they could manage that separately. And, crucially, it had to fit a real-world budget. That short list quickly exposed a hard truth: truly good oils cost more, and the cheap ones cut corners.
Rediscovering Themselves—with Ballstad
They stretched their budget for quality and felt the payoff. When they eventually discovered Ballstad, the decision felt easier: a clean northern source, careful processing, and the strength profile they were after. The difference was tangible. Gökhan noticed the face in the mirror looked less drained; the day felt less like a battle. Gözde felt a steadier mood and a clearer focus—enough to turn optimism from a posture into a practice.
Habits That Stick
What began as “let’s try this” became a rhythm. Balanced meals stayed. Movement felt easier to start. Omega-3 shifted from “nice to have” to a daily anchor. They didn’t chase perfection; they banked small wins, repeatedly.
From Personal Change to Family Culture
Feeling the shift, they shared Ballstad with their families. The goal wasn’t a miracle cure; it was a foundation—one more way to stack the deck for long-term health. For the future kids they imagine, omega-3 won’t be a trend; it will be an ordinary, early habit.
More Energy, More Courage
In Gökhan’s words, life stopped feeling “soulless.” In Gözde’s, possibility returned. With steadier energy and calmer minds, they’re sketching new projects, planning new adventures, and tackling the Istanbul wind head-on. The tempo around them didn’t slow. They just got strong enough to dance with it.
