Owen Sound Kettleball Athlete Returns to World Stage as Team Canada Captain
After earning her first world-stage podium in Spain, Lyndsay Budgell is competing twice for Team Canada in 2026 and will serve as captain of the national team.
An Owen Sound athlete and business owner is heading back to the world stage—this time with a podium finish behind her and a national leadership role driving the future of her sport in Canada.
Lyndsay Budgell, owner of Total Recovery Massage Therapy & Wellness Studio and founder of True North Kettlebell Club, will represent Canada at two International Kettlebell Marathon Federation (IKMF) World Championships in 2026.
The first takes place in Syracuse, New York this May, with a second championship scheduled for Edinburgh, Scotland in November.
Budgell competed at the 2025 IKMF World Championship in Spain, where she earned her first podium finish at the international level.
“It marked a meaningful milestone in my lifting career,” she told The Owen Sound Current.
But this year, her focus extends beyond her own performance.
Budgell has stepped into the volunteer role of Team Canada Captain, overseeing athlete communications, travel coordination, uniforms, social media, website management, and helping create more opportunities for Canadian athletes to qualify for international competition.
“The Team Canada Captain role is a significant responsibility, and I treat it that way,” Budgell said.
“It’s a volunteer position, but I don’t approach anything half-hearted—I’ve made it my mission to build a true representation for Canada within the IKMF.”
She says her efforts have already contributed to an 80 per cent increase in Team Canada qualified athletes.
“In practice, that means creating access and structure where there wasn’t much before,” she said.
Budgell works with grassroots competition organizers and kettlebell gyms across Canada to expand in-person qualifying opportunities while also developing clearer protocols for video submissions.
In a country as large as Canada, she said, travelling to in-person qualifying events is not always realistic.
“I know what it’s like to navigate this sport without guidance, so I’ve made it a priority to change that experience for others.”
The growth, she says, is being driven by access.
“When athletes are given clear information, realistic pathways to qualify, and actual opportunities to step in, they do.”
Budgell believes the momentum could eventually lead to Canada hosting an IKMF World Championship—and she thinks Owen Sound could be part of that vision.
“Long term, I believe we have the potential to host an IKMF World Championship here in Canada—maybe even Owen Sound,” she said.
To make that happen, she says the sport needs greater visibility and significant financial support.
“It takes a significant financial investment—not just to compete internationally, but to bring a World Championship here, with 80-plus countries represented.”
As she prepares to compete in two world championships in one year, Budgell says her training has evolved.
“My approach has shifted from just training hard to treating recovery as equally competitive,” she said.
“At this level, how well I recover directly impacts how well I perform.”
That means balancing her business, her own training, and her leadership role with a more strategic focus.
“Every training session has the opportunity to be productive, not just exhausting.”
Budgell says the Owen Sound community continues to play a key role in her journey.
“I feel incredibly grateful to be rooted in Owen Sound,” she said.
“This community shows up in so many ways—from local businesses offering sponsorship, to donations for fundraisers and silent auctions, to people simply sharing posts or engaging with what we’re doing online.”
She says that support is not just for her personally, but for Team Canada as a whole.
“There’s a genuine pride here in Owen Sound when it comes to Canadian sports, and I’m honored that people continue to take interest in what I’m building and how we’re showing up on the world stage.”
As Budgell heads into the next competition season, she says visibility and momentum matter most.
Supporters can follow her journey, purchase Team Canada apparel through IKMF Canada, contribute to her GoFundMe campaign, or take part in upcoming raffles and local kettlebell workshops this summer.
She says sponsorship opportunities are also available for businesses interested in supporting amateur sport and international competition.
“At the end of the day, it’s about building something people want to be part of,” Budgell said.
“And I’m grateful for any level of support that comes along the way.”
Budgell will represent Canada at the IKMF World Championship in Syracuse, New York this May, and again in Edinburgh, Scotland this November.
Those wishing to support her or Team Canada can follow updates through IKMF Canada and Budgell’s social media channels.
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