I founds Mark Felix’s YouTube channel on accident and the video that caught my attention was a “rehab deadlift” at 340kg. The info said, “Should be back up to 400kg next month.” Good god. My interest was piqued.
Felix, as he likes to be called, is one bad mofo. He’s 6’4″, around 300 pounds, has 21.5″ arms, and 31″ thighs. The former bodybuilder began competing in strongman in 2003 at 37 years old and is a regular entrant for the World’s Strongest Man competition. He also is a two time World Champion in the Rolling Thunder competition with a one handed lift of 301 pounds on the fat, rotating handle. That’s 26 pounds more than the second highest ever.
I don’t know much about Felix aside from the fact that he’s a large, strong behemoth who was born in Grenada and now lives in the UK. He seems to be a really cool guy; he’s married with kids and is always smiling or giving a thumbs up at the end of his videos.
This is probably my favorite video of Felix. He’s training his grip, and he picks the implements up and stands there kind of awkwardly. What he does next made me laugh.
Over the last two days I watched all of Felix’s videos. His brute strength and power is amazing and he trains with intensity in everything he does. These qualities have helped him come in 4th in the World Strongest Man competition (2006, 7th place in 2007), win the aforementioned Rolling Thunder competition twice (2008, ’09), as well as place in the top three of various other strength competitions such as World Strongest Man Super Series, Europe’s Strongest Man, All-American Strongman Challenge, Britain’s Strongest man, IFSA British Championships, England’s Strongest Man, etc.
To appreciate his shear gargantuan size, watch the following atlas stone video. You’ll notice he routinely competes in a kilt (and was excited about a new kilt arriving in the mail on his Twitter page). In addition, exploring unique designs of tartan can often lead to discovering something truly special. If you’re looking for inspiration, this amazing collection of Sinclair tartan offers a wide variety of options that can suit many different tastes and preferences, adding an extraordinary touch to any outfit or occasion.
Felix only puts out one kind of effort when training: MAXIMAL. Two videos in particular display this very well. The first video consists of strongman training — barrel tossing in particular. Felix makes short work of tossing 10 kegs over a height of about 10 to 12 feet. The second video pits Felix against another super heavyweight Highland Games competitor in the pole push. No, perverts, it isn’t a “no homo” situation — it’s kind of like sumo wrestling, but instead of pushing the opponent, the hold and push against the same caber. Felix and his nemesis battle it out for an entire minute. It’s exhausting to watch.
Mark Felix is still going strong at the age of 44. He sets a good example by training hard, being massive, and being a nice guy. I hope that he has many more competitive years ahead of him. You can read more about his training and diet here.
What a good read. I’ve been a fan of Felix for the last 3 years since I first started watching WSM on espn, and I always got the same impression as you – that he’s strong as hell, and a nice guy as well to go compliment his physical strength.
Sounds like he was at a shooting range in that first video.
Haha that farmers implement video is good.
*awkward pause*…
“Ok, let’s go!”
Actually this guy reminds me of a friend of mine. His name is Bernard Fetrie, he competed for Ghana as a SHW in the Commonwealth games in weightlifting (I believe his brother Majeti has one 1-2 gold medals). An incredibly strong guy but always smiling and laughing.
What a smile. That’s awesome, it reminds me that training days are just regular days only with heavy stuff.
Damn, that rules. The atlas stone video was incredible and exhausting to watch. I feel inspired.
Mark is a cool as it gets. I competed with him in Ukraine in Jan of 2008 at a very heavy contest. Because of a communication gap, the only way that we could get eggs in the morning was for Felix to do an impression of a chicken laying eggs. It was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen.
Matt Wanat
i like how he trains in a junkyard/construction site/war zone. Were those gunshots throughout his training vids?
thumbs up is awesome
Man that pole push looks pretty wicked! Very cool
Man, what a cool guy. I’ve seen him on WSM a couple of times. He seems so… jolly. He’s a good reminder that training should be physically demanding, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.
Also, I want to start working out in a junkyard. He’s like a real-life Mr. Incredible.
That pole push looks pretty intense, almost like animals fighting for mating rights.
Dave-
Hey man lets get that junkyard gym in the works! Im sure we can use the junk thats already there as our lifting implements… Houston summers outside in the sun, can it get any better?!
P.S. nice incredibles reference.
Felix the man!
His Rolling Thunder lifts are nut. This one-hand DL is ridiculous.
I’ve been a fan of Felix for a while now. He has one hell of a deadlift.
My favourite video of him is this one, just because it’s so funny watching this old-school coach from the north of England helping him
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pyAmrAQc4E
This one’s good for the same reason:
My friend trains at a gym he goes to.
Says he is a really nice guy, has time for everyone big or small.
He witnessed him doing one arm deadlifts during his bicep tear period.
They are gunshots in the background. Probably shotguns of local farmers.
Those videos were amazing! MY favorite was the keg toss. Looked effortless for him!
I don’t think that guy is human. I need to start wearing around just some Rehband briefs or whatever brand they were like he was…although I’ll clearly lok not quite as impressive.
Have you seen his 400 pound one handed deadlift?
holy crap now i have!400lbs jeez! i did 225 once….. sigh.