My story
MY STORY
A Life in
Physical
Culture
“Movement as a joy, a skill and a celebration of being fully alive”
I specialise and teach skill-based, full-body movement practiced for longevity and joy in movement.
I don’t chase short-term fixes or ritualised abstinence. My approach is about cultivating rhythm, skill, and awareness all year round — where health is lived, not imposed.
In the 1980s, I pursued Judo to a high level, representing my county at U21, and in the summer of 1988 I had the privilege of training with the British Olympic Judo Squad as they prepared for the Seoul Olympics.
Today, at 59, I move with more strength, energy, and resilience than I did over 35 years ago, proof that skillful, sustained practice endures far beyond youth. Age is an abstraction, limits are not. Capacity, coordination, recovery, curiosity and the joy of practice are what matters.
In 2018, my wife and I took a sabbatical to walk the 630-mile South West Coast Path in one uninterrupted journey, backpacking each day in a heatwave with no rest days. It was a transformative adventure — physically demanding, deeply emotional, and quietly spiritual — a reminder of what is possible when movement, presence, and determination come together. It was a movement practice for life, a ceremony of courage, presence and love.
MY PHILOSOPHY
” I don’t really think in terms of workouts. What I practice is a small number of movements I’ve refined over many years, done with enough time and continuity that they regulate the nervous system as much as they train the body. The aim isn’t intensity or fatigue, but rhythm, breath, and quality — finishing better than I started. Nothing earned today should cost you tomorrow.
Kettlebells, Indian Clubs, Gada, Persian Meels and even walking are just tools for that practice; the real outcome is durability and joy in movement.”
A LIFE OF TRAINING & PRACTICE
- Decades of dedicated practice, learning from masters and refining skill have carved out the approach I share today
- England’s first IKFF Master Kettlebell Trainer, through direct mentorship with the late Steve Cotter, founder of the IKFF
- IKFF Certified Kettlebell Trainer CKT; Coaching kettlebells with depth and dedication since 2010
- NASM Natural Fitness Trainer, with certification under NBA strength coach Jon Hinds
- English Open Kettlebell Pentathlon medalist (2017)
- Indian Club Trainer, steeped in the teachings of the Indian Club Swinging Teaching Institute
- Indian Club Trainer and Consultant for ‘The Hairdresser Mysteries’, an upcoming six-part BBC crime drama, set to air in Spring 2026
- A journey of four decades in movement and coaching
THE CRAFT
I PRACTICE
- Kettlebell coaching
- IKFF Kettlebell Certification
- Indian clubs
- Persian Meels
- Indian Jori clubs
- Indian Gada
- Indian dumbbell swings
- Sledgehammer swings
- Handstands and headstands
- Shena board push-ups
- Burpees & Navy Seal Burpees
- Principles of Rope Flow
- Judo uchikomi bands
- Yoga to align and restore
- QiGong to awaken your energy
- Progressions for every practitioner
Delivered with energy, skill and joy
I live in the village of Lower Quinton, just outside Stratford-upon-Avon, with my wife and two sons. Our charming British Shorthair, Maddie, often makes delightful, impromptu appearances during training sessions.
What people say
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“I’m very impressed with your skill level and I love your positive attitude. Keep smiling and keep being awesome my friend!”
– Steve Cotter, President of the International Kettlebell and Fitness Federation
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“Mike is a great trainer and I’ve learnt a lot from just one session”
– Anthony Claxton, Blackpool
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“The boredom of the treadmill and weight machines finally took their toll. I was on the look for something new, something ‘old’ school and a good teacher. I found both. Kettlebells and Mike Eves. Training is always fun with Mike. He emphasises the importance of being fluid and efficient with movement as the key to performance and to get the most out of your workouts. The good news is you don’t have to spend hours in the gym, a kettlebell and the great outdoors is all you need to ‘train smart’. Mike’s training methods focus on the fundamental kettlebell lifts and these are the centrepiece of the workouts he has tailored for me with a few bodyweight exercises thrown in. In 12 months, I am stronger, healthier and I feel more energetic than ever before. Mike has a wealth of knowledge and I’m constantly learning. If you’re looking for real results, get some kettlebells and Mike is your man”
– Onkar Singh, Birmingham
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“If you want energy, vitality, fitness and positivity then Mike’s your man. We’ve trained with Mike for over two years and couldn’t recommend him highly enough; you’ll learn new skills, get or keep fit, work hard but most of all you’ll have fun”
– Keith and Jean Griffiths, Evesham
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“He is worthy of the ‘Master’ title”