Welcome to Episode 6 of our podcast, delving into the monumental chapter of "MOT's Big Bang."

Just before Christmas in 1996, Atle and Johann took their vision to the Norwegian Prime Minister, sharing their plans for MOT. To their astonishment, the Prime Minister spoke about MOT in his national TV speech, applauding Atle and Johann as top athletes taking responsibility to help the youth. This unexpected acknowledgment marked the prelude to MOT's official birth, which occurred just a few weeks later.

In February 1997, during the Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, MOT was founded. Johann addressed a crowd of 45,000 people in the ski jumping arena, making a powerful appeal. Journalists from national and international outlets flocked to MOT's new offices, graciously furnished by local stores and located in Customs buildings renovated and decorated by Atle's customs colleagues. The day symbolized MOT's big bang, with two employees—Atle and a young office worker—ushering in MOT's reality. By April 1997, MOT secured its first major cooperating partner, and in June, the first group of 30 MOT coaches were trained, commencing the first MOT sessions in September 1997.

And the story doesn't stop there.

MOT's impact extended globally, establishing its presence in several countries:

South Africa became an independent organization in 2008, stemming from a project that began in 2006. The spark originated from a chance encounter during a teacher exchange program between a Norwegian college and the College of Cape Town.
Denmark embraced MOT in 2013, with Uno-X Denmark's CEO, a business partner of MOT Norway, playing a key role in establishing MOT in Denmark.
Thailand joined the MOT family in 2015, with a pilot initiative starting in 2009 after a fortuitous meeting during a private trip to Thailand.
Latvia, too, welcomed MOT in 2015, thanks to the CEO of Narvesen in Latvia, a Norwegian company and MOT Norway's business partner, expressing interest during a MOT speech for international leaders in the Reitan Group.

The impact of MOT reached further than expected, transforming lives and communities around the world.

But there's more to the story. In December 2010, Atle received a poignant SMS from Mona, the ex-drug addict he had met on the train in 1996.

Dear Atle… Do you remember the girl Atle met on the train in 1996? In December 2010 Atle suddenly got an sms from her after no contact since 1996. She wrote as follows:

SMS 2/12-2010

Dear Atle  Long time no see… This is Mona, the ex-drug addict lady from Trondheim… Remember me, from back in the 90ies? You’ve always been with me in my mind. You were the first one who truly believed that I could stop taking that shit. I’ve been off the drugs for 3 nearly 4 years now. And now I’m talking about REALLY off. I’m on methadone now, but I plan to reduce it. I have a beautiful 2 year old son and life is good I hope we can get in touch again, because I’m moving back to Trondheim in a year. Big hug, Mona

Wow… This was very emotional. Of course Atle wrote back to her and they met over a cup of coffee. A while after that, Atle got an email from Mona:

Hi Atle,

It was so good to see you again. Our meeting caused a lot of thoughts and feelings afterwards. My God, I was having a tough time those days when I first got to know you. However, you were the first to listen to me and also the first one I listened to… Because of you Atle, my new life without drugs got a beginning. Because you made me want something more, more than living my life in hell. Because being on heroin, tablets and cocaine every day, it takes away everything from you. Your dreams and hopes becomes something distant… Because I didn’t live, I only existed. That’s why it’s so important with people like you, who are like sunshine, with bright rays that open ones’ eyes. I don’t think you know the impact you had on me and my life Atle.

Wishing you a lovely Easter!

Big hug from Mona

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