Mel O’Connor spent over a decade working on an idea that no one else believed in - until the science proved him right. In this episode, he shares how Okkulo is transforming the way athletes train by sharpening their vision, decision-making, and reaction times, and reveals the unexpected benefits beyond sport.
Episode 004 - Show notes
Episode Title:
Turning milliseconds into game-changing moments, with Mel O’Connor
Episode Description:
In this episode of The Idea Junkies Podcast, host Laura Richards is joined by Mel O’Connor, CEO of Okkulo, a sports technology company transforming how athletes train. But Okkulo’s impact reaches beyond sport.
Mel’s journey is one of perseverance. He started out his career as a semi-professional footballer, shifting into costume design for film and TV, and ultimately ended up pioneering a system that challenges the way we think about reaction times, decision-making, and human performance. The science behind Okkulo shows that training the way we perceive movement can give players more time to think, act, and execute under pressure.
Athletes who train with Okkulo see the game differently, literally. The results speak for themselves, but the applications go further than elite sport. Mel shares how this approach is showing incredible potential for people with ADHD, sensory processing challenges, and even brain injury recovery.
Mel shares how decades of persistence turned a wild idea into a scientifically backed innovation which is now being used by top sports teams around the world, and how vision training could soon be a household essential - just like wearable fitness trackers.
This conversation is about pushing boundaries, backing bold ideas (even when other people say “no”), and reframing what’s possible when we look at performance through a new lens. If you’re fascinated by the intersection of science, tech, and human performance, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
What We Cover:
How vision training influences decision-making and reaction times
The story behind Okkulo and the research that shaped it
What happens when you challenge an athlete’s perception of speed
Unexpected benefits—ADHD, sensory processing, and rehabilitation
The role of perseverance in bringing game-changing ideas to life
The future of vision training in sport and beyond
Links and Resources:
Learn more about Okkulo: www.okkulo.com
Follow Mel O’Connor on LinkedIn: Mel O’Connor
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