what works persists

We are an international conglomerate of coaches, athletes, and thinkers. We view fitness as a medium for philosophical and behavioral development. Sure, it’s physical, and hard work is one of the cornerstones, but deeper down fitness is an expression of adaptability, a test of survivability. Each energetic system reveals the traits and archetypical values that our culture often fails to embed reliably. Discipline and self-confidence are well known to most fitness enthusiasts but there are also subtle traits like sensitivity, precision, and creativity that can be used to amplify our life.

Our mission is to persist, to play the infinite game of staying as capable as possible for as long as possible.

We are OLLIN

Michael Blevins

No one questions the accomplished man, but an accomplished man gets there by questioning everything. I began — like many — with a chip on my shoulder and a point to prove. That point was first about discovering my own capabilities—testing myself in unconventional sports like sailing, rock climbing, and skateboarding, and then diving into the mental and physical demands of martial arts. Over the years, I’ve studied disciplines as diverse as Tae Kwon Do, Hung Gar, Iaido, Kendo, Muay Thai, and now Jiu-Jitsu, each one shaping my understanding and pushing my ability to absorb and redistribute the lessons. 

For over a decade, endurance sports consumed me. I pushed myself to go farther, faster, and longer—until I felt the fragility of being on the edge. That realization shifted my focus to resilience, leading me to weightlifting, CrossFit, and Strongman training. These disciplines taught me the value of strength, adaptability, and the power of physical and psychological integrity.

My professional career began in the beauty industry as a hairdresser, make-up artist, and photographer, doing stage work, teaching precision techniques in front of thousands, and making art for some of the most recognizable names in the fashion industry. This work honed my eye for aesthetics, my ability to connect with people, and my skill in building relationships that go beyond the transactional. These qualities made my transition to coaching seamless, as I found myself drawn to helping others transform—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.

I’ve competed in hundreds of bike races, dozens of triathlons, international CrossFit-style competitions, Olympic weightlifting, and national jiujitsu tournaments. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of preparing people for feature films, military selections and deployments, and international elite sports. After a lifetime of physical effort and exploration, I’ve come to understand my true calling: I am a teacher. My classroom is movement, my tools are mental conditioning and curiosity, and my mission is transformation.

Credits:

  • Man of Steel: Coached Henry Cavill, Antje Traue, Michael Shannon, and the stunt team

  • 300: Rise of an Empire: Coached Sullivan Stapleton, Rodrigo Santoro, Callan Mulvey, Andrew Pleavin, and the entire stunt crew

  • Batman v. Superman: Coached Henry Cavill

  • Justice League: Coached Henry Cavill

  • Atlanta Braves: Led team development camp

  • Red Bull Formation: Provided coaching and training

Publications:

  • Contributed to Train Magazine, Details Magazine, Men's Health (UK/USA), Men's Fitness (UK/USA), and Muscle & Fitness

Published Works:

  • Raze: A Fistfight With Human Nature series

  • Strength Manual, Capacity Manual, and Endurance Manual

Other Contributions:

  • Host of The UNFVCKD podcast

  • Creator and chief operations of The Space Program and We Are OLLIN

  • Co-founder of Alqemis

  • Co-founder of Rytual Recovery

Through my journey, I’ve learned that transformation is not just about physical effort—it’s about curiosity, resilience, and the willingness to explore what’s possible. My work is about helping others discover their own potential, and I am endlessly inspired by the process of teaching, learning, and growing.

Burkey

aspiring story-teller 

To me, training is simply communication. The gym is our laboratory and our stage – we play out our struggles in microcosm, make use of the artifice of the space, adjust weights and time and speed to a place where we can just barely exert control, and then do our best to hang on. The idea is to orchestrate a lesson. To create a story through movement. To teach our bodies that if it could just change in this one small way – that today would have been ok. The goal is to solve problems. To utilize the gym to practice solving our own particular set of problems. To expose our issues and compensations and train to implement the solutions under greater and greater stress. Ultimately, my goal in training is to help the people I work with be better students of their chosen art. 

It is as simple and as complicated as that.

After over a decade of chasing arbitrary gym numbers, my own efforts are now focused on BJJ, old-man gymnastics, and being a better teacher. 

owner/operator of Station515

sam vallin

When you saw my bio photo your first thought was probably "Damn, that guy knows fitness." and you'd be right. I understand the pitfalls of believing there is one way to do things, I've seen the shortcomings of physical therapy, and the narrow views of trendy boutique gyms. I know about "fitness" not because I have “abs” but because I've made mistakes, and I’ve learned and grown from them. Abs are merely a side effect.

Competing in sports all my life has given me the arena to test what I know, but having a variety of coaches and mentors along the way is what turned sports into a formal education. I've owned a gym, worked in physical therapy offices, and worked with a wide range of clientele, from standard weight loss and increased performance to injury mitigation, and rehabilitation.

If you're suffering from chronic pain, looking to take your abilities in sport to the next level, or generally dissatisfied with your current ability, I'm here to help.