Oli Mell is the face of a growing sport.
The world of sports includes variety, from traditional expressions like baseball to niche endeavors like competitive eating. One sport I learned about recently—kettlebell lifting—is gaining traction rapidly. World champ Oliver (Oli) Mell, a gym owner and former Commando Marine, sat down with me recently to discuss the sport and his hopes for the future.
From the YouTube video “Health Oddity” “Pressure is a Privilege with Oli Mell” (Episode 196, May 30, 2024)
McElwain: My first question is, what is your advice for anyone hoping to get into this sport?
Mell: Get into something you love doing. There’s so much out there, so don’t be put off by age or gender. Most sporting organizations and clubs are welcoming, so take the first step and get involved.
McElwain: Describe kettlebell in one word.
Mell: Brutal.
McElwain: What makes kettlebell unique from other sports?
Mell: It’s the most personal sport I’ve been involved in. I find a real sense of peace when I’m compe that I’ve never had in any other sport. It’s just you against the bell.
McElwain: What has been a highlight of your career thus far?
Mell: I’ve been fortunate to have great moments in this sport. I would have to say three IKMF World Champs in Belgium in April, where I had sets with 40kg kettlebells. All the training paid off, and everything went according to plan for the day. I took home three gold medals, which was a neat bonus. But to have done the sets was incredible. I’ve also had some sets that pushed me mentally. My world records still stand for the 2-hour super-marathon and my 1-hour set with a 32kg bell. Those were hard mentally more than physically.
McElwain: Where do you see sports going in 30 years?
Mell: Hopefully, the sport will grow massively in the next 30 years. I’m the EKA’s sports development officer. Ideally, we would have a youth system in place in secondary schools to have yearly school and university championships. That way, we would attract young lifters to the sport. If we could get it to a point where we’re sponsored. That would take a lot of pressure off the international lifters.
McElwain: What’s next for you? Do you have an event you’d like to plug in?
Mell: We have the IUKL in Greece later in the year, and then the IKMF finishes the season in November.
McElwain: Where do you see yourself in 30 years?
Mell: I will be 70 in 30 years. So, hopefully, I will sit somewhere with a beer and relax. In all reality, I would love to still be involvd with the sport somehow.
