Annie Tichenor - mom, AlanWatts.com social media Manager
"Marcus designs all of my workouts and nutrition macros. He is incredibly encouraging... I never feel that he is comparing my fitness to his own (which I was a bit intimidated by in the beginning… so this was incredibly important for me). I've just completed my first half-marathon trail run, and I am 11 weeks out from competing in my first body-building competition (bikini category).
With the guidance of an elite coach, this process is far more thrilling than I've heard it described. He is also hilarious… a source of bright light and cheer surrounding a subject that involves focus, determination, and consistency. His direction is tailored to the particulars of my fitness capacity and health circumstances. I felt stymied by my history of debilitating back pain, and I needed a well-informed approach to my mobility and exertion capacity. Marcus has an uncanny skill for translating complicated knowledge into an intelligible package that anyone can visualize… And he often makes people laugh while doing it! I've always believed that, due to my experience as a Division I scholarship athlete, and the presumably organic understanding that may come from being raised by [professional] athletes, I should be able to handle my fitness on my own. The truth is that I have accomplished this before (in spurts) and I imagine I could again, with enormous effort and sacrifice of other priorities. But, today, I dare to say: What once felt SO complicated and scarcely accessible, now feels comfortably sustainable and fueled by momentum!!!
Sure, there are loads of work... But being IN it feels mostly exhilarating, so long as I don't resist, and am FULLY alive and WITH my effort. With the privilege of educated and caring coaching, most of my exercise registers a flowing-with-the-current sensation... Giving a vivid vibration of inevitability to the whole process—as though I'm suspended through my effort and floating in a blissful state—albeit textured with moments of fervent work. The larger pattern that I see, reversing my scope to observe the broader landscape within which I transforming the motor of my organism, is one that results in far more joy and far less pain than any other exertion/rest ratio I've tried in my 35 years of being human.
I really don't believe I could achieve such free mobility and joy in exertion without Marcus' educated and sincere guidance. Sure... I get that I executed the work and discipline he has prescribed. Yet, at least daily, the thought occurs to me: "Marcus saved my life.""
Susan Chappell - Nurse Practitioner, 54
"Marcus is a great coach! In fact he is a healer. He designs my workouts so that I can achieve the goals I desire. He educates me on precise form to eliminate any risk for injury and he selects exercises carefully, based on my injury history.
I have had 4 knee surgeries and most recently, 3 shoulder surgeries. My orthopedic surgeon recommended a 4th shoulder surgery to treat chronic pain in my neck and shoulder. As a result of my workouts I am no longer considering surgery.
The strength and mobility that I have gained since working with Marcus has enabled me to resume sports I thought I could only dream of participating in. I hadn't ridden my bike since 2007 due to pain and now I am biking, playing tennis, skiing and recently I took up rock climbing!!
I am lucky to have found Marcus. Through his knowledge of movement and nutrition I have gained a whole knew prospective on what is possible for my health and fitness. Marcus isn't just a trainer, he is a healer!"
Dan Tichenor - Financial Advisor, 33
"Every day, I receive a customized workout and nutrition plan, which takes into account my personal fitness abilities, goals, time constraints, etc. When complex or new movements are involved, they are always accompanied with a short video introducing the movement along with comments from my coach with any specific considerations unique to my situation.
The workouts are different day to day and week to week, but they are always both challenging with achievable. The nutrition plan includes caloric and macronutrient targets, which are based on my personal metabolic rate (calculated based upon observations rather than a boiler plate chart) and my current goals. I don't understand everything that goes into determining these plans, but it's nice that I don't have to. I'm seeing steady, sustainable progress in my strength, speed, weight, and body composition that makes me a believer in the process.
I have never felt hungry or constrained by my nutrition plan, nor pushed beyond my abilities in my workouts. Furthermore, it's a huge help to have my coach be accessible for phone calls, video-based technique work, fitness event planning (pre-, during, and post-event nutrition; strategy; etc.)."
Alaina Sage - Legal Assistant 34
"Marcus has helped me to drop my pregnancy weight. He has been super encouraging and is very knowledgeable on diet and nutrition. He has helped me to reset my thinking toward food and healthy eating. This has been so important for me as a new mom, especially since I now have the most important incentive to be healthy for (my son).
Marcus' guidance in my workouts and movement has been essential - finding workouts that fit into my schedule and pushing me the perfect amount to get them done. I'm so grateful for his help and services. I was feeling somewhat depressed from the extra baby weight (over 50lbs), but now that I've been working with Marcus, I'm on my way back to feeling and looking like my old self."
Leslie manu - nike regional expansion director, 38
"Marcus is fantastic. Super responsive, exceedingly knowledgeable and always eager to provide programming based on my specific needs. Marcus has helped me set specific and realistic fitness goals, he adjusts workouts quickly based on feedback and provides exceptional subject matter expertise. I've seen significant improvement in my mobility and strength due to his programming and I highly recommend him!"
karen lee - nike creative art collaborator, 28
"Marcus is great at clarifying and explaining how to do movements.. Very encouraging as well. I'm seeing results that just show that the work is paying off. Looking forward to getting even stronger!"
eric wilson - hunter, dad, awesome dude
"Marcus does a fantastic job of listening to my goals and tailoring my diet and training to those goals. I have seen significant increases in strength and decrease in body fat! Marcus is very supportive and answers all of my questions with thoughtful and rational explanations. He is by far the best trainer I've worked with!"