Hi, I’m Mark and let me start by giving you a brief introduction about me and how HallMark Bodies came to be. From this site, I share training advice from myself and other respected Trainers in the fitness industry, nutritional strategies, and entertaining stories. And every now and then, a little FREE advice. (take it for what its worth, I said FREE advice … you get what you pay for!)

I have been a corporate guy for many of my working adult years, married and raised a family with 2 great kids in and around the suburbs of Dallas, Texas. I have always been a slender, some might say “skinny” guy, and have been very athletic for most of my life. It was about 14 years ago that I was tired of being a lightweight and decided to get serious about gaining some weight. (I know, I can hear you saying “what kind of problem is that?” But follow me for a second.) I also had terrible eating habits because it didn’t matter what I ate or how much I ate, I couldn’t gain any measurable weight. (don’t hate, that changes …) Breakfast was a cup of coffee or 2, lunch was whatever leftovers I brought from yesterday’s dinner that I ate about 2pm, and then dinner with the family about 7, and a big bowl of cereal or ice cream or something like that about 10 at night before bed a couple of hours later … and repeat the next day. I was basically eating 3 meals a day, but most of it at or near the end of the day. So I knew that needed to change as well.

So, in my infinite wisdom, I decided to sign up the whole family at a local gym. (In hindsight I guess I didn’t want to admit I needed the gym more then they did) And, lucky for me, they offered a Personal Trainer for the day to show me the proper form when using the various circuit machines. After a few weeks of trying it on my own, I ended up hiring that Trainer for myself and my son. His name was Frank, and Frank was a NO BS kinda guy. You came in there to workout and that was it, period. I remember one particular brutal workout that he pushed us both until we lost our lunch. Yes, literally lost our lunch at the gym! We laughed about it later, but Frank should have known where “enough” was and recognized that our neuro-systems were maxed out and the lactic acid was going to our brains.

But I did learn a lot from Frank as far as what exercises, weights and machines would help me reach my goals, and it was only 3 short months later that I was able to pack on 25 lbs of lean muscle! I was able to do that because I became obsessed with learning everything I could about weight training for body sculpting … and more importantly, I got myself on the right kind of diet that would fuel those frequent and grueling gym visits that I did on my own. I went in at a skinny 160 lbs, and was 185 lbs just 12 weeks later, with muscle to show for it! People I hadn’t seen in a while would ask me “What happened to you?” I was a different looking person, I must admit. And the best part came when after an exceptionally tough workout, I turned around to reach for the door when leaving at the same time  another guy was coming in the door. (he basically blindsided me with the door) Normally that would have put me back a step or two wondering WTF! The look on his face was priceless when he bumped into the door and fell back a couple of steps, while I wasn’t phased or moved. Finally, I was the rock and the other guy was the lightweight! The lean muscle weight I had been packing on months before made me feel good to know that I wasn’t the lightweight in the room anymore! But, I digress …

Needless to say, I was hooked on going to the gym, read everything I could get my hands on about body training and the nutrition necessary to maintain the workouts I had gotten accustomed to. And after a short while, other people wanted to workout with me. I thought … “Ok, it would be great to have a spotter ever now and then.” But while working out together, I found myself training them on how to use proper form to get the best results from that exercise and making workout schedules for us to follow. Lo and behold, my workout partners started getting the same results I was having! At first it was just co-workers and relatives that wanted to go workout, then word spread to friends and then friends of friends … and I must say, I kind of liked watching everyone reach for their goals and make a commitment to themselves. It was the same as what I had done some 14 years ago when I decided I needed a lifestyle change.

After working many years climbing the corporate ladder, I decided to follow my passion of fitness and nutrition training by taking it up a notch by graduating with a Personal Training Certification through International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). I learned about aspects of fitness through a scientific approach covering advanced anatomy, biomechanics, kinesiology and physiology. (I thought I ordered the wrong course at first because it was more like pre-med instruction rather than a training manual.) After completing the Certified Personal Trainer course, I added a CPR and AED certification before going full time as a Personal Trainer. Now it was time to get “real” clients and go full time helping people meet their fitness and nutritional goals!

I have 12 years of practical experience training people in their 20s and into their 60s, some in excellent health and some not so much, some with physical disabilities and some with medical issues, some under weight and some over weight; corporate types, housewives, athletes and active military. But unfortunately those people were not “clients” at the time, and I recently started full time in this business, so I don’t have any “before and after” pictures of clients with a treasure trove of accolades and testimonials praising about how my services have helped them. Just some testimonials from satisfied clients that have seen the rewards of a new body and lifestyle.

Pam

“I lost 26 lbs! I’m hoping to add a lot more to that total. It will probably take me a year or more to do it, but this boot camp, your suggestions, videos, etc. has inspired me. You’re a great teacher & I love the variety. I also very much enjoy my co-campers. (Teresa makes me laugh …)”

Lois

“… I’ve had a blast doing this … fond memories of being a kid and sweating while running around/outta breath and slamming the front door for a cold drink of water inside! Now, I’m inspired to exercise during slow moments at home … that’s a switch.”

Sharon

I just want to say this is the best thing I have ever done for myself. My energy level and stamina have increased, and my balance is better.  This is the best thing you could do as the years move on to better  your quality of life.

Dee

Getting excited for boot camp to start back up.  I have had so much more energy, and a lot more flexibility. I am also toning up and hope to lose some more pounds also.

Teresa

I had not worked out since Jazzercise in the 80’s. I promised myself I would at least go to one fitness camp to try it out. It was tough, but I got so much energy from working out that now I’m hooked! I have been able to stop taking medications from high blood pressure, acid reflux and high cholesterol. I am stronger, weigh less and reduced 5% bodyfat in less than 6 months.

So I have to ask you for your trust and to give me a chance to help you with your fitness and nutrition goals. Throughout the years I have been under weight … and over weight. (went too far initially and gained too much weight, so then I had to learn how to loose weight without loosing muscle) I believe working out should be FUN and I try to make that happen in my workout sessions with unique and interesting training exercises and tips. I’ll bring you cool exercises, powerful training techniques, fat-loss, muscle and strength-building info, product reviews, humor articles, and a whole lot more. Bottom line, my goal is to give you a ton of information you can USE…info you can take to the gym or home and put to work right away.

And, if you want someone to help you get started … just click on the Contact Me section and lets get together for a free initial assessment to see how I can help with your fitness and nutritional goals! No gym membership? No problem! I train more people in the comfort of their homes than in gyms. If you are so inclined, you could also join my Fitness Camp in the early morning hour with like minded individuals that want to shed some unwanted pounds!

If you don’t like the way your body has started to shape itself the past few years (or 20 to 30 years for some), give me a call so we can talk about what it will take to make a change. Don’t make excuses anymore, put all the negative thinking aside for a while and reach for what you know you should do and have … a lean body with energy to do the things you used to love to do! If its prescription meds you need to reduce or eliminate … your Dr will agree that exercise is a better medicine with greater long term benefits! If you get out of breath just tying your shoes, or you put off doing things you like to do because it’s just too tiring … you need to give me a call so we can talk about what it will take to eliminate those limits.

And if you don’t live or work in the Dallas, Texas area …  subscribe to my Newsletter and you’re sure to pick up some stuff that you can use to achieve your goals, whether that is for getting bigger, faster, and stronger; or to get smaller, leaner and sexier!

Take care, and strive to be healthiest you can be!

Mark