Who are you? Tell us a little about yourself and your story.
Call me Mart! Married to my beautiful wife Sheri and daddy to my amazing kids Heart, Haven & Huxley (yep I constantly mess up who I’m addressing with all the H’s!). I was born into the fitness industry. My parents owned and operated two of the first fitness/squash clubs on the Sunshine Coast through the late 80’s, 90’s & 00’s. Through my childhood this was my world and I absolutely loved it. My earliest memories are looking into the aerobics classes with the music blaring 80’s hits, Mum guiding all these fit people through the session in hot fluro! I’d then wander over to the gym area and admire all the big guys pumping iron and think to myself, I wanted to be just like them.
Why did you choose to enter this space of Health, Wellness & CrossFit?
I started personal training clients in Mum & Dads gym (called Healthways) when I was 20 years old. I did that for around 9 years then found & fell in love with the Olympic Weightlifting through training with Chris Saliba (who owns another long standing Sunny Coast gym – Coastal CrossFit). It was such a rewarding & challenging experience improving the lifts & trying to hit PBs. I then started hitting CrossFit WODs and teaching PT clients CrossFit so it was a natural progression to find a space of our own and commit full time. (by this time Sheri & I had fallen madly in love 😍). It’s been a love affair with CrossFit ever since!
Favourite WOD or Exercise?
When I’m CrossFitting regularly, I love the short, intense WODs like Fran, Diane, Grace & Isabel. When I’m not, I like to lift weights, sprint/run & do callisthenics 😁
Who or what inspires you and what has been the main influence to your journey?
My main influences early on were my parents. If it weren’t for them I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today. I have loads of respect for what they went through owning 2 gyms! Since the beginning, I have always strived to move the needle forward in learning more, and this has been from so many knowledgable people.
Favourite food?
Smoked BBQ meat and chips!
Favourite drink?
Raw milk
Favourite getaway destination?
I love a good Bali trip
Favourite motivational quote?
Live, love, matter
What’s one OCD trait you have?
I have an obsessive habit of keeping our floor clean of dust and fluff at home (the Dyson permanently lives in the kitchen). Yes, that trait carries over to the gym floor too, so don’t let me catch you spilling chalk!
Qualifications:
- Certified CrossFit L3 Trainer
- Bachelor Degree in Sport & Exercise Science (QLD)
- Precision Nutrition L1 Certified
- CrossFit Nutrition
- CrossFit Spot the Flaw
- CrossFit Scaling
- CrossFit Teaching
- CrossFit Running
