Sad day for Albany

Today has been a sad day in Albany, the world lost a wonderful inspiring man.

I feel the need to share a little of his story to the world via this blog.... he taught many of us how to live life ... to the full and with purpose .... he inspired the best in all of us.

In fact the comment I made today - is that he even managed to die of cancer well.

Mark started many years ago - more than 20 years ago - as a fitness instructor. From memory he was working as a mechanic at the time and I believe he was a state level aerobic champion. He was a very bubbly person and a great instructor - the type that inspires you to get out of bed on a cold morning at 6am!

Over they years I have known him - he has competed in triathlons, cycling and multisport events. I remember him as a tough competitor but also so encouraging.

A few years ago he changed course - and trained as a masseur. He was a cracking good one too! best in town and one of only 2 I have known with incredible control of his hands. He could give you a really hard massage or back off if he needed too - a talent that is not well appreciated.

During this time he continued to live a full and fantastic life. He continued to work as a fitness instructor (mostly around Les Mills classes) but the great thing about Mark's classes is if he forgot the program he just made it up and kept going - didn't miss a beat... You never knew what you would get and sometimes he intended to change things just to mix things up. It was never same old same old with Mark.

I can remember Mark in his crazy days. One day he commented (never complained) that he was a little tired - that weekend he had completed the Blackwood marathon (multisport event), then come home and run the Port to Point (local 10km fun run) with his daughter and was there bright and bubbly Monday morning for pump class. He ran back to back classes RPM then Body Pump before it was really popular. One wondered when he would slow down (if ever) and always so encouraging.

Then one day, about 20 months ago, he down the beach with the kayaks with his family - and he said to me "Don't know if you have heard, I have oesophageal cancer, stage 4 and there is no stage 5". I was stunned. In hind sight he had lost some weight lately but he looked so well. His plan then was to beat the cancer but as a health professional I knew this was really pushing the odds.

His response to this - organize a fundraiser for cancer council - Bollywood party and planking competition (what else). By the time this came round he had started chemotherapy and it was bighting a bit - but still he was there smiling as always.

He embraced the chemotherapy with vigour, looking after him self as best he could and doing everything to get the best out of the therapy. At this stage he responded well - but not completely. He was still around and kept everyone up to date. When ever he saw people he was smiling and asked how they were. He got out on his bike when he could and he even completed in a couple of events including some kayak events (he figured what did he have to lose).

All through this time - when he was well enough he would come and join in and take a little of his classes - sometimes mid chemotherapy cycle!

I hadn't seen Mark for a while but was pretty happy when I got back to Monday Pump class 4 weeks ago to see him out the front taking the class - I knew things weren't going well - he had run out of treatment options at this stage and he knew he was dying - but he couldn't think of a better place to be than being out the front of a class inspiring other people. By this stage I noticed he was having some trouble swallowing.

It's really hard to completely express how Mark changed so many lives - he lived it the way we all should - He lead by example and inspired other to do what they thought was impossible.

His final months he worked hard to support others going through the cancer journey. He worked with local services to establish a chemo club - exercise classes for chemotherapy patients. he donated his time to this and joined in providing massages at the fitness expo.

I don't know if this is just rambling and makes any sense but the loss of this fabulous man before his 50th birthday makes no sense - He will continue to inspire me to be the best I can be and I hope he inspires you a little too.