DEREK OWENS
Love You, Mean It
How do you think the sport of strongman could be improved? Does it even need to be?
Improvement is a very subjective term that varies from person to person, or honestly how I'm feeling that day. I think the sport is bigger than ever and is growing in many directions, but what I think can improve our sport just as much as any other sport is being constantly okay with change, or being open to seeing or doing things in a different way.
"I think I'm lucky enough to find inspiration in a lot of places, but mostly from different artists of different mediums and respective passions. Seeing other people invest themselves in what turns them on pushes me in my own direction with strongman."
What is it about you that makes you good at strongman? Did something in you develop, or were you born with it?
I don't think I was born with anything special — small hands, mediocre height, and even scoliosis — but what I think has solely gotten me to be one of the best athletes in my weight class is my overwhelming drive to be "the best" one day. My mental strength and patience to grow over time has pushed me further than I think any genetic perk ever could.
What makes a good strongman athlete?
What I think makes someone good at this sport is being able to change or adapt to different environments and implement changes. I've seen the strongest people get crushed because they can't adjust to something they didn't expect.
Why do you want to be on this team?
I never did well in team sports growing up, so feeling welcome and growing with such a great group of people makes that kid in me very happy. Growing with a brand that supports me as I do them means everything.
How does Odd Objects improve the sport of strongman?
Well it's helping me through this crazy life trying to get to the top. I don't think there is another company doing product design collabs with smaller athletes, and that is huge. Building a community and supporting athletes that probably wouldn't have gotten that support beforehand, being a breath of fresh air in the industry. And by producing clothes that aren't red and black with a bear on it!
What's your favorite Odd Objects product?
Hands down, the Sho Shorts. I've had many different neoprene shorts over the years and I've never had a pair that feels as good and gives me the support the way these do.
