On Top Of The World (One Woman's Journey)

"This is a picture of me, standing at the highest peak of Africa... 19,340 feet above sea level. Less than a year before that moment, I never went to the gym, didn't really like working out and led a pretty unhealthy lifestyle.

Now my life is different. Since beginning to work out with Mark in the summer of 2000, I have become healthier, more energetic, I work out at least 3 times a week and I've never felt better in my life....oh, and I also climbed the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

Although I've worked hard to achieve my goals, it is only with the help of Mark that I have been able to achieve them. Mark is the epitome of what a personal trainer should be-he is inspirational, encouraging, realistic and most of all, he really wants you to succeed... it is this last point that has really inspired me.

Most people find it hard to motivate themselves to achieve personal fitness goals. A trainer will usually "help" but in Mark's case, because he truly cares about helping you reach your goals, you're much more inspired to get up early and make the trek to the gym or to push yourself to achieve.

Mark doesn't need to be aggressive or militant, never pushes you do things you don't want to and doesn't set unrealistic goals. He simply makes you believe you can do something - and you always end up surprising yourself by succeeding.

In addition, Mark has his own inspirational story to tell. However, unlike many people with similar stories, Mark does not force his story on you, make you feel like you need to do what he did, or in any way compare his life to yours. He treats every client as an individual and helps him or her to only achieve what he or she wants to achieve.

There are many trainers that I have worked out with who have gone through the motions of training you and are clearly there only because 'it's a job' for now and are probably thinking about doing something else at the time. Mark however, is dedicated, professional and if only all trainers were half as good at their jobs as Mark is, we'd probably all be healthier for it!

Thanks Mark -I couldn't have done it without you."