It's All About Mark Now!

Mark was born on the island of Maui in Hawaii one bright sunny day (we can assume) to parents Mike and Pat. He was the second of two boys who, no doubt, brought a lot of "excitement" into their parents' lives. Growing up on Maui with his brother, Michael, made for quite a memorable and happy childhood.

Mark is blessed with a strong spirit and a family that encourages him to try anything and everything that peaks his interest. Consequently, despite having been born with congenital aniridia (a condition where the iris in our eye - the part that opens and closes the pupil - never fully develops), Mark had a fun-filled childhood. Naturally, though, part of the fun was tormenting and heckling parents, teachers, coaches, friends and anyone else who came his way.

Mark's talents in sports were showcased on a regular basis. He was a great asset to his rowing team in high school - he caused quite a stir when he first began practicing and the boat wasn't going as it should. Everyone automatically assumed that Mark, the new guy, was the cause of the issue - imagine their surprise when they learned that Mark was the cause, but it was because he was overpowering the rest of the team! Mark also excelled in soccer, cycling and competitive running. He can hold his head high anytime he takes friends and family up the slope of Haleakala (the volcano on Maui from which gorgeous sunrises are to be seen) because he rode his bike all the way to the top! He has also won several awards in various road races and other competitions.

After high school, Mark chose the University of Northern Colorado (is it a coincidence that MeLissa went to the University of Southern Colorado? - you decide!) as his new stomping ground. While there, he pursued a degree in Kinesiology and competed in weight lifting. He also gained a reputation for throwing the best parties ever with buddies Dwayne and Keola. This was an excellent way to not only have a fun time, but also to pay the rent!

Once Mark finished his degree, he moved to Colorado Springs where he had secured an internship as a personal trainer at the YMCA. While there, he decided to add to his list of professional talents and enrolled in Massage School. As always, Mark took it upon himself to practice, practice, practice so when the time came for graduation he was a real pro. After massage school, Mark worked at 24 Hour Fitness as a personal trainer - a job which would change his life forever (see our next post to find out how)!

Mark is currently enrolled in Life West Chiropractic College in Hayward, California. He is looking forward to graduation in just a little less than a year. During his stint in school he has faced many challenges head on, not the least of which was losing what little vision he had to dual retinal detachments.

With the end in sight, Mark is excited to get out there and help people feel there best and to tackle his next big challenge - being a daddy! Once the baby is here and he's finished his studies, he hopes to do some travelling with his family.