Name: Mark Trevor Felix

Mark Trevor Felix D.O.B.: 4/17/1966

4/17/1966 Place of Birth: Grenada, West Indies

Grenada, West Indies Citizen: Great Britain

Great Britain Height: 6'4"

6'4" Weight: 294 lbs

I started training weights in 1993 while working for Carnival Cruise Lines as a bartender. I lifted in a makeshift gym: a storage room at the front of the ship in the crew quarters, with discarded pieces of equipment left by crew members and unwanted items from the passenger gym. I also trained at gyms (usually Gold's) in various ports on my days off. I trained around the world, however and whenever I could.

In 1996, I competed in natural bodybuilding competitions representing Grenada, West Indies. In 1997, I moved to the United Kingdom with my wife and continued to compete in natural bodybuilding competitions. Work commitments and the birth of our first son set competition momentarily aside.

I continued to train and work out until 2002, when I filled in at a strongman competition for a friend. In a line-up of Britain's strongest men, I came in 3rd and won 3 of the events. I had never touched strongman equipment before, but I was instantly hooked.

Felix, The Phoenix

I started making a 4-hour round trip every Sunday to train at one of the few strongman training camps in the UK (at that time). I loved the raw outdoors training: lifting, pulling and throwing. It was all-natural and insanely addictive. Within a year I was invited to compete against Britain's top ten strongmen. I placed 2nd to Glen Ross.

I made my first appearance at World's Strongest Man in 2004, in the Bahamas; I placed 7th. In 2005, I bought equipment from the training camp I was commuting to on Sundays and moved it 5 minutes from my house. Anything to train more often.

I signed with IFSA and won IFSA Britain's Strongest Man the same year. My travels began: Canada, China, Brazil, Russia and Poland, just to name a few.

In 2006, I returned to World's Strongest Man and placed 4th, my highest placing to date. I continued to train strongman and competed at regular international competitions. I placed 2nd at Europe's Strongest Man and Britain's Strongest Man.

I've been fortunate enough to try my hand at Highland Games, which I love. I'm just not very good at it. I still wear my kilt in Strongman and highly recommended the Highland Games to anyone, especially if your thighs are on the larger side.

Mark Grips Records

In 2007, someone suggested I try grip events. I became the first person in the world to lift 300 pounds on the IronMind Rolling Thunder One-Hand Deadlift, at 301 pounds. I remain unbeaten. IronMind has redesigned the Rolling Thunder. I haven't lifted 300 pounds on the new one ... yet.

I tore my biceps in 2008 on the last event (atlas stones) of the qualifying round at World's Strongest Man. Luckily I was able to get surgery within 24 hours in West Virginia. Four months off work made for a slow but complete recovery. During my downtime, I worked on one-hand deadlifts and found I was pretty damn good at it. In 2010, I broke the one-hand deadlift record with 225 kg.

Known for my deadlift, I joined the International Powerlifting Federation in the UK and broke the UK record on deadlift with 400kg. Clashes with Strongman competitions have made this my only IPF competition.

Fueling The Beast

Daily diet doesn't change much, except when I'm travelling. Then, my food intake becomes a "what's available" intake. I travel with MET-Rx whey shots and MET-Rx meal replacement sachets so I at least have the protein.

I've been sponsored by MET-Rx since 2007. It was a great fit; I've actually used their products since I started bodybuilding. Although I endorse all their products, my favorites include MET-Rx Amped and Protein Plus. Amped is the perfect fuel for a great workout, even after a long workday. Protein Plus has always been a favorite of mine; it's easy to drink, produces no bloating, and leaves me with a clean complexion.

Sample Meal Plan

Note: I always drink at least 5 liters of water per day.

Breakfast Weetabix 7 Milk (semi-skim) 1 1/2 pints

Morning Snack Salad 1 serving Fruit 1 serving Green Tea 1 serving

Lunch Whole Wheat Bread (Options: Egg, Tuna Or Cheese and Salad Filling) 4 slices Green Tea 1 serving

Afternoon Snack Protein Powder 1 serving Fruit 1 serving

Dinner Salmon (or chicken, With steamed vegetables or broth) 1 serving Protein Bar (Note: This is on treat days only.) 1

Snack Whole Wheat Bread (Options: marmalade or peanut butter) 2 slices, toasted

Tips:I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, maybe not as much meat as people may think. I eat every 2-to-3 hours through the day. I burn a lot of calories while working, so I need to eat regular, smaller amounts rather than a big, occasional meal. Evening meals contain carbohydrates to push me through the night.

I limit my caffeine intake and use it when I need it pre-training. On competition days, a black coffee does wonders.

Competition days, when we lift all day:

RTDs, whey shots, bars, jelly. Anything that's nutrient-dense and easy to consume.

Training

I train at different gyms. I find this complements my training. I also train outdoors in my yard, as often as the temperamental UK weather allows.

My training changes slightly depending on competitions and events. I try to maintain a consistent training split as much as possible, so I don't overwork anything or skip anything. Day 1 might not be at the beginning of the week.

Training Routine

6 days per week:

I start with a 30-minute warm-up of circuits, bands and cardio, depending on if I'm indoors or out. I take one rest day per week. This is always a different day, when I feel I should rest.

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Day 2 Increase weight on each set. 1 Dumbbell Bench Press 4 sets, 5 reps + 7 more exercises BodyFit Plus $3.99/month 2,500+ expert-created single workouts

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Training at gym or at home Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit Plus? Sign In What comes with BodyFit Plus? Instructional Videos Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos. How-to Images View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot. Step-by-Step Instructions Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.

Day 3: Cardio

For the past month I've had a personal trainer once per week who puts me through my paces for an hour, mostly circuits and core work. This has made me slightly leaner, but more balanced with a much quicker recovery. If I do cardio without my PT, I do medleys and circuits.

Day 4 Increase weight on each set. 1 Bent Over Barbell Row 1 set, to failure + 8 more exercises BodyFit Plus $3.99/month 2,500+ expert-created single workouts

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Training at gym or at home Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit Plus? Sign In What comes with BodyFit Plus? Instructional Videos Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos. How-to Images View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot. Step-by-Step Instructions Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.

Day 5 max reps, increasing weight each rep 1 Log Lift 1 set, to failure + 4 more exercises BodyFit Plus $3.99/month 2,500+ expert-created single workouts

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Step-by-step workout tips

Training at gym or at home Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit Plus? Sign In What comes with BodyFit Plus? Instructional Videos Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos. How-to Images View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot. Step-by-Step Instructions Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.

Day 6: Events/Cardio

4 hours of event training (I currently put this in twice per week and alternate with my overhead workout).

Cardio Medley Circuit 2 rounds 1 Cardio Medley Circuit 2 rounds Clean and press 2 sets, to failure + 1 more exercises BodyFit Plus $3.99/month 2,500+ expert-created single workouts

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Step-by-step workout tips

Training at gym or at home Already have a Bodybuilding.com account with BodyFit Plus? Sign In What comes with BodyFit Plus? Instructional Videos Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos. How-to Images View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot. Step-by-Step Instructions Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.

Events

This varies. I'll practice anything I'm training for at the given moment. Each competition is different, so I work only toward my next competition or on my weaker events.

Allow all body parts to rest and recover, then repeat. I change the exercises every few months with a new program. I lift as many free weights as possible to incorporate my core.

Tips

Routine is great, as long as it isn't prolonged. Keep notes of your achievements, diet and sleep (or lack of). Record-keeping can affect your training and outcomes.

Ageless

I'm often asked how long I will continue training. Y'know what? I will always train. I've always been active. I live to look after my body. I will continue to compete as long as I improve. My PRs continue to grow, and my overhead (which has always been a weakness) is at last on the up.

I love strength sports. The camaraderie has to be unlike any other sport. Your opponents are also your support. The only downside is the stereotype of "strong." People think that anyone as big and strong as we are has to be taking something. If people wouldn't limit themselves by such ideas, I'm sure they would achieve more.

I respect my body and train wisely. It's important for me to set a good example for my children and hopefully show that you can start training at any age and achieve your goals. Age is only a number. I'm proud to be the oldest competitor at the World's Strongest Man, giving the youngsters a run for their money.

I have various videos of my own on YouTube: check out the accounts MarkFelixtv & Ayebygum. I'm also on Facebook and Twitter.