At six-foot-four and weighing in at 160kg, Gippsland paramedic Phil Bell towers over everyone he meets.
But as his AV colleagues are quick to tell you, the Churchill Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedic is “just a big teddy bear” with two passions: His work, and his quest to become Victoria’s strongest man.
The 35-year-old, originally from Canada, spends every moment he’s not working training for the upcoming Victoria’s Strongest Man and Woman competition.
Phil striking a pose as Dragonball character Goku in Super Saiyan mode.
Strongman is a global weightlifting based sport, which sees athletes push their bodies to the limit, competing in different events to test their endurance, speed and ultimate physical strength.
Phil took up Strongman last year after previously competing in mixed martial arts and Powerlifting.
“Powerlifting had gotten a bit stale and I was looking for something else,” Phil said.
“I was the strongest overall at last year’s Emergency Services Games, winning the powerlifting, so after that I officially made the switch.”
“I’m not an ambo who does Strongman, I’m a strongman who works as an ambo.”
Phil has been working with Ambulance Victoria for five years and prior to that was a paramedic in London.
He said his strength often comes in handy on the job.
“Our work is very physical, so I regularly see the benefits of my training,” Phil said.
“I definitely have colleagues who are pleased to work with me because they know I’m a big help in that regard.”
While he enjoys his career as a paramedic, Phil said Strongman provided an important passion outside of work.
“A lot of people fall into the trap where your job becomes your identity,” Phil said.
“Our job is very challenging at times, and this is an outlet for me and something I really enjoy.
“I’m not an ambo who does Strongman, I’m a strongman who works as an ambo.”
Phil will spend the next seven months training for the October competition, which includes puling a 20 tonne truck.
“I was born to battle, and the only way to be the best is to beat the best,” Phil said.
“So I’m looking forward to locking horns with Victoria’s strongest men this year, and claiming what’s mine.”
