Mountaineering is meditation, says local Ozempic exec

The higher he climbs, the less he thinks about daily life, says Novo Nordisk’s Cem Ozenc. There’s no time when the mental and physical challenge requires you to stay so focused. He answers our Time Out Q&A.

Cem Ozenc at 2450 metres in the Jebel Akhdar mountain range in Oman.

Life & Leisure

Feb 10, 2025 – 5.00am

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Cem Ozenc is corporate vice president and Oceania general manager for Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceuticals company behind the obesity drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. He lives in Sydney.

How did you get into climbing and how old were you?
In my late 20s, I was already into individual endurance sports like running, cycling and triathlons, so mountaineering seemed like a natural next step. It offered a unique way to challenge myself physically and mentally. Climbing also provided a great opportunity for self‑reflection and personal growth.