Meet the UK Team
Tommy is the Managing Director of The Optimal Life Fitness Group, he has six years of experience in the Fitness Industry starting out as a Personal Trainer. Developing his own fitness company was always a goal. Realisation of this goal came in 2005 when, along with BJ Rule he launched the OLF Group. Now working across Europe his mission for the OLF Group to be the first international kettlebell training company is fast becoming a reality. As well as running the OLF Group Tommy still has his passion for training people and can still be seen on the majority of the educational courses, working hands on with personal trainers to further their development.
Tommy’s skills and knowledge in kettlebell training have come from years of working with some of the world’s greatest kettlebell athletes and hours of his own training. He’s trained with arguably one of the greatest kettlebell lifters ever, master of sport Valery Fedorenko and the all time great Pantelai Filikidi, who is master of sport in 4 different sports. Tommy is one of only 2 lifters in the UK to have completed the AKC certification. Before his work with the AKC in Greece he spent some time with Steve Cotter, which is where he got his interest for kettlebell sport.
BJ is the educational director and along with his business partner Tommy Matthews the founding director of the Optimal Life Fitness Group. With over 13years of experience in the fitness industry BJ continues to advance his own learning as well as his ability to educate others in how to get the body performing better. He holds a BSc in Exercise Science, but also strives to ‘walk the walk’ and this is apparent in his own training where Weightlifting and Kettlebell Sport are his focus. As well as educating trainers BJ still trains clients who vary from executives to athletes.
BJ first came across Kettlebells when reading about old time strongmen. Back in 2004 a mate of his knew somebody who had one and he started throwing one around. Before long he started using kettlebells in training both himself and his clients.
In 2005 his education began, he spent a day interviewing and training with the Moscow State Circus' resident strongman who was a master of sport in both weightlifting and kettlebell sport.
BJ then travelled to America later in 2005 to attend the RKC, headed by Pavel Tatsouline.
In February 2007 BJ was fortunate enough to have trained with Steve Cotter when Steve introduced BJ to kettlebell sport. Later that year BJ travelled to Greece with his business partner Tommy Matthews to work with the AKC under Valery Fedorenko and his coach Pantelai Filikidi.
BJ is drawn to kettlebells and combines kettlebell training with the Olympic lifts.
He aims to compete in 2009.
Andy is a Master Trainer for The Optimal Life Fitness Group and has been involved in the fitness industry for 7 years after obtaining his personal training diploma through Premier Training International in Leeds. Andy worked on UK mainland gyms as well as gyms on Jersey in the Channel Islands before joining the Optimal Life Fitness Group.
Andy has been involved in sport from an early age competing in a variety of sports including football, rugby and running. Andy followed his practical experience into secondary and tertiary education in the field of Sports Science.
Andy’s role with the OLF Group as Outdoor Extreme Fitness Manager and Master Trainer, see’s him work with clients on a daily basis as well as training the trainers.
Andrew has been in the fitness industry and personal training for almost 10 years and has been training with Kettlebells since 2001. He is dedicated to conditioning and functional strength training and helping people to understand and appreciate what their bodies are capable of. He has competed in Rugby union and league, martial arts, athletics and Kettlebell Sport, achieving overall male honours at the 2009 London Kettlebell Open.
Andrew's background and experience in the Health and Fitness industry covers Health Clubs, 5 Star Hotels and Spas, Outdoor Training and Sports Conditioning. He has trained all manner of clients including athletes, celebrities, personal trainers, martial artists and fitness fanatics.
In 2009 Andrew opened his own training facility specializing in strength and conditioning for combat sports, working with some of Britans top Brazilian Ju Jitsu players, including World and European champions.
