Marc is not just an exceptional athlete with absolutely "no ego" but he is also a very genuine and supportive, his happy nature is infectious to everyone around him.
Marc is a strong athlete but always with his feet on the ground, I cannot wait to see what the future holds for him.
Below his Marc`s journey in his own words
You recently joined CrossFit Metal Therapy. You trialled the box and decided to sign up. Can you tell us about this decision and how the box "fitted" you?
I have a lot of very good friends at the box and i was being constantly told how fantastic the place and coaching was. Hearing all the stories i decided to come down and check it out. The vibe there was great and i could see the Gab had a lot of passion for coaching. What really got my attention was that everyone there was treated equal no matter what level you were at and to me that was fantastic.
Coach Gab remembers you from when he first started CrossFit. He remembers you being an amazing athlete with lots of fire. When you joined Metal Therapy, he noticed that fire and competitive edge was gone for some reason, but now it is back! Can you share your journey and the ebbs and flows of your CrossFit training?
I have been doing crossfit for about 5 years. It has been a pretty normal journey. Ive dealt with a lot of highs and lows just like anyone eles. I had a pretty bad injury about 2 years ago where i felt like stopping all together because i was afraid of what the injury had done to me. Since coming back to it i hadn't really gotten my passion back for until i come to MT. i know that may sound corny but its the truth. Since being coached the right way i feel better doing it and i cant wait to see what the future holds for me in CF
On that note, your times in workouts are getting faster and faster. What is your mindset during WODs and what is your approach to your training?
I just try to stay calm right before a WOD and not think about it to much and just enjoy myself. I do talk to myself during WODs just telling myself to keep going and to push through the pain. My approach is to just try and better myself. I want to just be as good as i can be and have fun with it all.
One of the things the coaches notice most about you is your willingness to take on board feedback and that you never let any ego get in the way of your progress. How important is it for an athlete to take this approach and listen to the feedback of the coaches?
I feel it is important not to let ego get in the way because i believe you cant do everything yourself wether that be in CF or life. Even the top athletes in any sport have coaches to make them better. So if you dont take on board what your being told by your coach, it is pointless to expect to progress with what you do.
What's the best piece of advice or feedback you have been given on your CrossFit journey and how has it shaped you?
I don't really think I have been given any advice along the way. It has sort of been a journey just for me, I have just looked at bettering myself. Im always just looking to learn and improve.
Recently, you shared a motivational quote in the box that helps inspire you. What is it and why does it motivate/inspire you?
I heard this quote a while back and i shared with Gab one day, the quote was from Vince Lombardi saying " fatigue can turn the strongest man into a coward" it inspires me because i want to see just how far I am able to push myself and test my mental strength which has been hard for me to do.
Lately, you've been tackling some CrossFit competitions. Can you tell us how competing feels and how it adds to your training?
When I first started competing I used to get so nervous that I would waste all my energy before the comp even started worrying about how well or bad im going to do rather than just enjoying the experience. But as I have improved and grown I understand that when it comes to competing its all about finding out how far you've come and finding out new things about yourself in hard situations. Best part is that other people are there to support you wether they are competing themselves or just there to watch.
You have been CrossFitting for awhile. What has been the biggest motivators and the biggest lessons you have learned on your CrossFit journey?
The biggest motivation is setting out goals and doing your best to achieve them. A lesson I have learnt and learnt the hard way is to not over train and don't do anything your not comfortable with, be smart with how you train.. I had a major injury which made me look at CF and training differently.
We've all got that one movement that makes us groan. What's yours?
THRUSTERS!!!
What's are your other favourites and what's to love about them?
Ring Muscle Ups. I'm not sure what it is but I just love the momement.
Now it's time to dig a little deeper into 'Marc'.
.... if you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance of winning a medal for and why?
I dont know what id turn into a sport, but id love to play golf at the Olympics. Im a big golfer
.... if you just woke up after being cryogenically frozen for a 100 years, what would your first question be and why?
Have Liverpool won the premier league yet?
.... if you could sum up your life in one movie title, what would it be and why?
The good, The bad and the Ugly
.... if life is a game, like people say, what would the rules of it be and why?
Every man\ women for themselves!! Survival of the fittest
.... if you had a clock that would countdown to any one event of your choosing, what event would you want it to countdown to and why?
The event for me would be watching Liverpool play at Anfield. That is my dream
.... if you could name one thing that makes you feel truly alive, what would it be and why?
Dont particularly have anything, but walking round the golf course on a nice day just makes me feel so good
.... if you could make a twenty second phone call to yourself at any point in your life, present or future, when would you call and what would you say?
Dont rush into decisions! stay calm and think!
Looking ahead, what are your goals in CrossFit over the next year?
To improve my lifting and get bigger numbers
In the middle of a WOD, what animal would best represent you?
Tiger
You've been asked to write a sales pitch for Crossfit. How would you pitch it?
If you`re bored of the usual routine CrossFit is definitely for you ! With challenging workouts and support from the best community in the fitness industry, results are guaranteed.
Crossfit Inc. decide to name and design a WOD in your honour. What would the 'Mark' WOD be?
"DUNCAN"
750m Row
150 DU
15 G2OH 45/70
25 HSPU
30 Muscle Ups
25 HSPU
15 G2OH 45/70
150 DU
750m Row