Inspiring Conversations with Daniel Ozan of Performance Elite Running

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Ozan.

Hi Daniel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started running in middle school and quickly fell in love with the sport after realizing I had a natural talent for it. At the same time, music and singing were also a huge part of my life growing up. Basketball was actually my first love, but by my freshman year of high school I had developed into one of the faster runners in the area. Throughout high school, I balanced both competitive running and singing.

I was fortunate enough to continue both passions in college at University of California, Santa Barbara, where I competed in Track and Field while also being involved in music on scholarship. After dealing with several injuries at UCSB, I shifted my focus more toward music and later attended graduate school at the Manhattan School of Music in New York.

After graduating and moving to Southern California, I unexpectedly got the opportunity to begin coaching in 2007. Coaching was never originally part of my plan, but it quickly became something I truly loved. Since then, it has been incredibly rewarding to help athletes grow and watch many of my junior college athletes transfer to their dream schools and continue competing at a high level.

Today, my wife and I are also involved with Performance Elite Running, a post-collegiate and youth running club focused on giving athletes the support, resources, and opportunities they need to continue pursuing their goals, compete at the next level, and achieve personal records. I’m very passionate about helping athletes of all ages who are serious about the sport and want to maximize their potential.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road. One of the biggest challenges early on was balancing two very demanding passions at the same time — running and music. I was fully committed to both, which often meant long days trying to manage training, competitions, academics, and performances all at once.

In college, injuries became a major obstacle for me as an athlete. Dealing with setbacks physically and mentally was difficult because running had always been such a big part of my identity. Having to shift my focus more toward music during that time was not necessarily part of the original plan, but it taught me resilience and adaptability.

Over the years, there have also been challenges in finding enough resources and support for serious athletes, especially at the post-collegiate level where many talented runners struggle to continue competing after college.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Performance Elite Running?
Performance Elite Running is a nonprofit post-collegiate running organization focused on helping athletes continue pursuing their goals beyond the college level. We support elite, post-collegiate, and developing athletes by providing resources, mentorship, training opportunities, race support, sponsorship connections, community outreach, and wellness advocacy. Our mission is centered around creating an environment where athletes can continue competing at a high level while also growing personally and professionally.

One thing that makes us unique is that we truly understand the gap many athletes face after college. A lot of talented runners still have enormous potential, but they often lose access to support systems, coaching resources, financial assistance, recovery tools, and opportunities to compete. We are working to help bridge that gap and create a sustainable support system for athletes who are serious about continuing in the sport.

We also place a strong emphasis on mental health, long-term athlete wellness, and community. Performance is important, but we believe athletes thrive most when they feel supported as people first. We want our athletes to feel like they are part of something bigger than just racing times or results.

Another thing that sets us apart is that we are intentionally building authentic partnerships with brands and organizations that genuinely align with our mission and values. As a growing 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are focused on creating meaningful collaborations that not only benefit our athletes but also positively impact the broader running and wellness community.

Brand-wise, what we are most proud of is the culture we are building. We are creating a team environment that is competitive, supportive, ambitious, and community-driven all at the same time. Seeing athletes continue chasing personal records, qualifying for major races, inspiring younger runners, and believing in themselves again after setbacks has been incredibly rewarding.

We want readers to know that this is only the beginning for us. We are passionate about advocating for athletes, expanding opportunities within the sport, and continuing to grow a platform that helps runners pursue their dreams at the highest level possible.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Absolutely. I would not be where I am today without the support of so many people throughout my journey. My family has played a huge role in supporting both my athletic and coaching career over the years, especially through the challenges, injuries, transitions, and the commitment it takes to continue building something meaningful in the running community.

My wife deserves tremendous credit and has been one of the biggest driving forces behind Performance Elite Running. She shares the same passion for helping athletes continue pursuing their goals beyond college and has played a major role in helping shape the vision and growth of the organization. She competed at the Division II level herself and also has coaching experience, which gives her a deep understanding of both the athletic and personal side of the sport. It has been incredibly rewarding to mentor her as she continues developing into the coach and leader that she is becoming. In this field, you truly need a partner who understands the sacrifices, commitment, and vision behind building something meaningful, and she absolutely gets it. Beyond that, she is an amazing businesswoman whose leadership, organization, networking, and dedication have been instrumental in helping grow the organization.

My mother was also one of my biggest supporters. She came out to races, encouraged me through every stage of my journey, and taught me the importance of giving back to others. She did a tremendous amount of volunteer work in the community and was a strong advocate for single mothers and families who needed support. She was the type of person who often gave more to others than she gave to herself because she truly loved helping people. She passed away last July, and a huge part of why I continue doing this work is to honor her legacy and the values she instilled in me about compassion, community, and helping others pursue opportunities they may not otherwise have had.

I have also been fortunate to learn from many coaches, mentors, and colleagues throughout my running and coaching career who helped shape my perspective on leadership, athlete development, and the importance of supporting athletes as people first, not just competitors. Their guidance has influenced the way I coach and mentor athletes today.

Most importantly, the athletes themselves deserve a tremendous amount of credit. Coaching has been rewarding because of the relationships built over the years and seeing athletes trust the process, overcome adversity, transfer to dream schools, continue competing, and accomplish goals they once thought were out of reach. Their dedication, resilience, and belief in the vision continue to motivate and inspire me every day.

We have also been incredibly grateful for the growing support from the running community, local supporters, and organizations that believe in our mission. As we continue growing our 501(c)(3), we are excited to continue building partnerships and relationships with people and brands that genuinely want to make a positive impact in athletes’ lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.performanceeliterunning.com/
• Instagram: @performanceeliterunning
• Youtube: @performanceeliterunning