Cat From Austin Wins Hearts Walking The Treadmill In Cozy Little Sweaters
Meet Oliver from Austin, Texas — the undisputed walking pad champion of the feline world.
This fluffy ball of energy lives with his human, Ovya Barani, who originally bought the walking pad to sneak in some steps while working from home.
What she didn’t expect was that she’d end up with a four-legged workout partner, eager to strut right alongside her and turn exercise into a team effort.
Oliver wasn’t always the treadmill star he is today. A couple of years back, his mom walked into a local humane society without any plans to adopt. But something pulled her in.
That “something” turned out to be a tiny, talkative kitten who looked straight at her, as if to say, You’re mine now. That kitten was Oliver.
From day one, he carried himself with big Leo energy — bold, charming, and just the right amount of dramatic. And now? He’s living up to it in true style, strutting his stuff on the treadmill like it was made for him.
This cat walks the treadmill in cozy little sweaters like he owns the runway. Or… walk-way.
The first time it happened, Ovya was doing her usual steps when she felt a soft nudge. Two tiny paws had climbed up behind her, curious and determined.
Instead of chasing bugs or lounging in a sunbeam, Oliver wanted to walk. And once he got the hang of it, he was all in.
These days, it’s simply part of their daily rhythm.
Mornings begin with Oliver hopping up to the sink for his preferred drink of water (he won’t touch it from a bowl, of course). After handling his usual cat business, he makes his way to the walking pad and settles right in, ready for the day’s “workout.”
While Ovya brews her morning coffee, Oliver waits patiently, eyes fixed on the pad. And the moment it whirs to life, so does he — trotting along with the confidence of a true fitness star, keeping perfect pace as if the routine was always meant to be his.
He’s got it all down: a warm-up, a few bursts of speed, a break, another run. He’s even clocking in some great speeds, as his mom shared in an interview:
“Whenever I walk on it, I’ll walk on the left; he’ll walk on the right. That’s our routine now. Slowly, I would raise the speed on it. Now he can max out the speed and sprint at 3.8 mph, but not for very long.”
Their followers on TikTok are obsessed. Every video of Oliver’s treadmill time, especially when he’s rocking one of his signature sweaters, draws in millions of views.
Fans can’t get enough of his little routines, his stylish outfits, and the serious look on his face.
They call his stride sassy, graceful, even a little diva-like. And they’re not wrong.
The best part is that this little routine has inspired Ovya too. Thanks to her cat, she’s in the best shape she’s ever been, as she shared:
“I’ve gotten in the best shape of my life since he started doing this. I can’t be outrun by a cat. It’s crazy. He doesn’t really take days off, which is actually insane. Every single morning, he’ll want to get on.”
Oliver doesn’t need music. He doesn’t need treats. He just walks with purpose. But if a bird flits past the window? Well, treadmill time’s over. Gotta chase that dream (or, well, that bird).
Ovya has been sharing their treadmill journey on TikTok for the past few months, and viewers can’t get enough. Thousands cheer Oliver on with every clip, turning him into a little internet star.
Of course, Oliver has no idea he’s famous. For him, it’s never been about likes or views. It’s simply his favorite way to start the day — a short walk, some time side by side with his human, and a whole lot of love packed into those tiny, determined steps.
