Talking with Oliver Lang

Oliver Lang is one of the greatest paintball players in the sport's history. With his game-breaking moves, incredible athleticism, and elite paintball IQ, he rose to the top of the professional paintball world at just age 17. Over the next 15 seasons, Oliver would dominate professional paintball and garner more than 50 professional wins and over a dozen World Titles. 

Since retiring, Oliver Lang has enjoyed living in Bali and developing a deeper, personal connection to the Earth. He recently returned to the paintball world in the form of his company, Hormesis, which he founded with lifelong friend, Alex Fraige. 

Oliver continues to push the limits of design and artistry through his Hormesis products, with a resolute focus placed on community building in paintball and forging connections with all those he meets. We sat down with Oliver for a new segment called Paintball Quick Takes, where we do short format interviews with paintball players past and present. 

On Life and Paintball. 

Q: Since retiring from paintball, how has your life living abroad been?

It's been very, very blessed; leaving everything you know behind and moving to a third world country will really teach you a lot. It's been an incredible few years in Bali.

​Q: Lately you have been involving yourself back in paintball projects. Is the fire for the game reigniting in you?

To play, no! Although I have played a few times here because a few local brothers have been begging me to take them to play. There has definitely been a fire lit to circle back and reconnect with the paintball community and Hormesis seems to be that inspiration.

Q: What was your inspiration behind Hormesis?

Well there is many behind each line and each headband, which would take a long time to explain. Behind the actual company there is one inspiration, and  something even greater as a whole which is still unfolding. Again pretty complex to explain at this moment but  to give you something simple; it's to help unify all of us and give us greater connection and meaning to what we do, who we are, and what we can achieve together and that’s all I can share at this juncture. Its been a lot of fun and a great creative outlet for me.

Q: What are your thoughts on the current state of paintball?

Currently I think its better then it's ever been! I see and feel a new resurgence of energy and good people stepping up, or growing up, and bringing their gifts to the community.

Q: What was your favorite moment looking back on your playing career on the field?

So many! Usually, I give subtle answers to this because that’s where I feel the real medicine was. But, to satisfy your desire for this question, I think my favorite moment was winning with the Ironmen. I mean, I rejoined the team and signed for $100k salary. That was always my dream, to play and be compensated professionally. Then, winning back to back World Titles after a solo rebuild from the ground up in only two years was what I attested to myself as my personal challenge to overcome to be qualified as the World's best paintball player.

Q: You had so many iconic moments and game breaking moves, was there a challenge to those sort of big moves for you?

Game breaking moves are easy, there is a lot more depth and difficulty in the internal challenges, both personally and as a team that allow for true success.

A Hint to a Bigger Future Ahead?

Q: Is there a next level or evolution to this game?:

 Without a doubt 

Q: What would it take to get to that next level?

 Just my plan to come together.

​Oliver has redefined the sport of paintball on and off the field for more than two decades and continues to be an individual that has captured the attention of the paintball world by constantly evolving and redefining who he is. 

​We will continue our series, Paintball Quick Take with a collection of short format interviews with some of the games best current and retired players throughout the season.