Q - Power
Indoor Rowing Team
Ollie2
Ollie’s first experience of sitting on an erg was in the late 90’s as part of the British Olympic Sailing team.
"I just remember it being the most horrific physical experience of my life. I think I pulled around 6.50 for 2k but I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. It was used as a fitness test for the team and was used to measure VO2 max. I think I was probably one of the faster lads but no one had any technique or idea of pacing. I just remember slumped on the floor after, unable to recover and thinking 'never again'."
It was this success representing his country for 4 years that would spur him on to find a new competitive sport some 10 years later.
"I have always been a competitive person in everything I do – it is in my nature. I tried my hand at rugby but was forever getting injured and preferred sports that were more individual efforts."
Ollie eventually quit his Olympic sailing dreams in 2002 having fallen out of love with the sport after competing around the globe in World, European and Olympic class championships. The frustrations and pressures of making a target weight of 83kg were released and his weight rose steadily over a few years (with the assistance of weight training) to a more comfortable and effective 100kg which is were he sits now.
Ollie now works as a Physical Training Instructor in the Royal Navy and as a Personal Trainer to athletes and recreational gym users alike. He spent 7 years serving in the Royal Marines were he developed self discipline and determination levels far beyond what he thought was possible.
"Looking back at my time as a professional athlete with what I know now, I would do things very differently. I would have taken a completely different approach both to diet and to the way that I was training. I was lazy, I was immature and I lacked discipline. If I had the mentality, maturity and discipline those 7 years as a Royal Marines Commando taught me back in my early years, I believe I would have been a better athlete back then. I believe I can be that athlete now."
Between sailing and joining the Marines, Ollie had moved from job to job unsure of where he wanted to go. He spent a short while working as a Prison Officer at Feltham Young Offenders Institute in London and even tried his hand in Surrey Police Force. Fitness became a priority once again in the winter of 2004 as Ollie looked to learn how to run again in preparation for joining the Marines in a 10 week turn around after signing on and passing the basic fitness and academic test at his local careers office.
"I had never been super fit and had always been poor at running but my fitness went through the roof during 8 months of basic training with the Royal Marines. The syllabus is designed to be punishing and designed to promote mental toughness as well as physical fitnessand is complete over training."
Aged 25 and passing out of basic training, Ollie was more interested in lifting weights again and hitting the social drinking scene.
"I did the bear minimum CV wise. Enough to pass a basic fitness test and to carry out my job was enough for me. I topped 107kg of fat and muscle and wasn’t to interested in over exerting myself. I think as a youngster full time sailing for 4 years and training nearly every day took the pleasure of being in top aerobic shape out of me, whilst I found another love in going out with the lads."
In 2007 Ollie married his fiancée Carley, having met her in 2005. They now have a son called Max and live in Devon. As Ollie’s career progressed in the Marines he found himself on fitness courses and in 2008 completed a Diploma in Personal Training.
"My enthusiasm for health and fitness was always apparent; I was just very bad at practicing what I preached. I just did not have any drive to do any aerobic work. I had done my share of that over the years and just preferred to throw weights around. However that was about to change as my competitive spirit resurfaced. Having spent a few years being what I now deem as very unhealthy and unfit, I re-found my love for competition and wanted to find something to train for and to excel in."
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"I just remember it being the most horrific physical experience of my life. I think I pulled around 6.50 for 2k but I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. It was used as a fitness test for the team and was used to measure VO2 max. I think I was probably one of the faster lads but no one had any technique or idea of pacing. I just remember slumped on the floor after, unable to recover and thinking 'never again'."
It was this success representing his country for 4 years that would spur him on to find a new competitive sport some 10 years later.
"I have always been a competitive person in everything I do – it is in my nature. I tried my hand at rugby but was forever getting injured and preferred sports that were more individual efforts."
Ollie eventually quit his Olympic sailing dreams in 2002 having fallen out of love with the sport after competing around the globe in World, European and Olympic class championships. The frustrations and pressures of making a target weight of 83kg were released and his weight rose steadily over a few years (with the assistance of weight training) to a more comfortable and effective 100kg which is were he sits now.
Ollie now works as a Physical Training Instructor in the Royal Navy and as a Personal Trainer to athletes and recreational gym users alike. He spent 7 years serving in the Royal Marines were he developed self discipline and determination levels far beyond what he thought was possible.
"Looking back at my time as a professional athlete with what I know now, I would do things very differently. I would have taken a completely different approach both to diet and to the way that I was training. I was lazy, I was immature and I lacked discipline. If I had the mentality, maturity and discipline those 7 years as a Royal Marines Commando taught me back in my early years, I believe I would have been a better athlete back then. I believe I can be that athlete now."
Between sailing and joining the Marines, Ollie had moved from job to job unsure of where he wanted to go. He spent a short while working as a Prison Officer at Feltham Young Offenders Institute in London and even tried his hand in Surrey Police Force. Fitness became a priority once again in the winter of 2004 as Ollie looked to learn how to run again in preparation for joining the Marines in a 10 week turn around after signing on and passing the basic fitness and academic test at his local careers office.
"I had never been super fit and had always been poor at running but my fitness went through the roof during 8 months of basic training with the Royal Marines. The syllabus is designed to be punishing and designed to promote mental toughness as well as physical fitnessand is complete over training."
Aged 25 and passing out of basic training, Ollie was more interested in lifting weights again and hitting the social drinking scene.
"I did the bear minimum CV wise. Enough to pass a basic fitness test and to carry out my job was enough for me. I topped 107kg of fat and muscle and wasn’t to interested in over exerting myself. I think as a youngster full time sailing for 4 years and training nearly every day took the pleasure of being in top aerobic shape out of me, whilst I found another love in going out with the lads."
In 2007 Ollie married his fiancée Carley, having met her in 2005. They now have a son called Max and live in Devon. As Ollie’s career progressed in the Marines he found himself on fitness courses and in 2008 completed a Diploma in Personal Training.
"My enthusiasm for health and fitness was always apparent; I was just very bad at practicing what I preached. I just did not have any drive to do any aerobic work. I had done my share of that over the years and just preferred to throw weights around. However that was about to change as my competitive spirit resurfaced. Having spent a few years being what I now deem as very unhealthy and unfit, I re-found my love for competition and wanted to find something to train for and to excel in."
Read more...
Ollie was able to persuade the organisers of the Iraqi Indoor Rowing Competition to accept his late entry.
