14: Ollie Cooke: 7 RHA Para, Bodybuilding & Building Heavy Duty Gym Wear | Combat Fuel Podcast

In this episode of the Combat Fuel Podcast, we sit down with **Ollie Cooke** former **7 RHA Para soldier**, bodybuilder, and founder of **Heavy Duty Gym Wear**, a brand built around hard work, discipline, and working-class values. Ollie shares his experiences serving in the Army, the realities of military culture, and the lessons he took from life in an airborne artillery unit. He reflects on the challenges he faced during service, using the gym as an outlet, and the journey of building a business from the ground up after leaving the military. We explore fitness, mindset, resilience, and entrepreneurship — alongside the importance of testing yourself, pushing your limits, and creating purpose beyond military service. In this episode, we cover: Service in **7 RHA Para** Military culture and life in the Army Using fitness as an outlet Bodybuilding and pushing personal limits Building **Heavy Duty Gym Wear** Entrepreneurship and working-class values Leadership, discipline, and resilience Identity, purpose, and life after service This episode is for anyone interested in **military life, bodybuilding, fitness, entrepreneurship, discipline, and building something after the Armed Forces**. Guest: **Ollie Cooke** Former 7 RHA Para | Founder, Heavy Duty Gym Wear Instagram: Website: Follow & Support Combat Fuel: Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/combatfuel/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/combatfuel Website:  https://www.combatfuel.co.uk Production: This podcast is produced by **TCM.visuals** Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/tcm.visual/ Website:  https://www.thecapturedmoments.co.uk Business & Media Enquiries: hello@combatfuel.co.uk Disclaimer: This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical or nutritional advice. Remember to: Like the video, subscribe to the channel, and share this episode to help amplify honest conversations around service, fitness, entrepreneurship, and life after the military. # 🎬 YouTube Chapters ``` 00:00 Introduction & Who is Ollie Cooke 01:40 Life Before the Army 05:30 Joining 7 RHA Para 10:00 Military Culture & Standards 15:30 Fitness, Bodybuilding & Self-Discipline 21:00 Finding Purpose Through the Gym 27:00 Challenges During Military Service 34:00 Brotherhood, Banter & Army Life 41:00 Pushing Your Limits & Testing Yourself 49:00 Transitioning Out of the Army 57:00 Building Heavy Duty Gym Wear 1:05:00 Entrepreneurship & Working-Class Values 1:13:00 Leadership, Resilience & Mindset 1:20:00 Lessons From Military Life 1:28:00 Final Reflections & Advice ``` Suggested Hashtags #OllieCooke  #CombatFuelPodcast  #7RHA  #BritishArmy  #HeavyDutyGymWear  #Bodybuilding  #Fitness  #Entrepreneur  #MilitaryTransition  #LifeAfterService