Mark Felix, the Grenadian-English strongman icon, has already solid an enormous legacy throughout his 20-year profession however, in an unique chat with M&F, ‘The Miracle’ appeared extra fired up than ever forward of the 2022 World’s Strongest Man competition going down Could 24-29 in Sacramento, CA. We sat down with Felix, one of many world’s most prolific strongman competitors entrants, to realize extra perception into his world beating grip, how this 6-foot-4-inch mountain of a person prepares for competitors, and why age has no limits the place dedication and keenness exist.
Getting into the world of strongman at 37 years of age, Felix proved from the very starting that he may conquer his youthful rivals. “Rising up as a child, I at all times wished to be match and powerful,” says Felix. “So, I started bodybuilding and I did just a few competitions the place I got here second and third.” Casting a big shadow throughout his coaching classes, Felix was quickly observed for his measurement and power at his native gymnasium in Accrington, Lancashire, and was approached by the proprietor about getting into his first strongman competition. “He invited me to make up the numbers,” remembers Felix. “I did it, and I got here third in that competitors. It simply began from there.” Now at 56 years of age, Felix remains to be proving that youth isn’t any match for onerous work, as he readies himself for Sacramento. “This yr goes to be my seventeenth World’s Strongest Man [competition], so you might be by no means too previous to start out one thing,” says the large man.
Casey Brooke Lawson and WSM
‘Miracle’ Mark Felix Has Moved A number of Data
Extremely, Felix has now competed in 100 strongman competitions, together with 22 worldwide wins, and has thus far made 3 appearances within the World’s Strongest Man semi-finals. He additionally holds data for the Rolling Thunder elevate and the Hercules Maintain to call simply a few profession highs, plus he can bench press 530 kilos (240 kilos), squat 770 kilos (350 kilos) and deadlift 893 kilos (405 kilos).
Turning skilled as a strongman in 2004, Felix made his presence identified straightaway by inserting third in England’s Strongest Man. In 2005, he took second place. That very same yr, he gained the IFSA British Championship, and in 2008 he gained the primary ever Rolling Thunder World Championships by lifting 301 kilos (136.3 kilos). “Effectively, I did prepare onerous for it after which I knew I used to be gonna get it, as a result of I may simply really feel it,” remembers Felix. “It was similar to the adrenaline, and the push, and the quantity of people who was there, I may simply really feel it.
So, I went and simply did it, so all of the coaching and stuff paid off.” Certainly, intense coaching and a dogged dedication to his chosen self-discipline has allowed Felix to earn his ‘Miracle’ moniker. The ‘Rolling Thunder’ is an ungainly grip deal with that’s hooked up to weight plates, designed to make the challenger wrestle to deadlift the plates off the ground with one hand. Having set the world document in 2008 in Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire, Canada, Felix would higher his personal rating 4 years later in Birmingham, England with 323.5 kilos (146.7 kilos), that’s a rise of greater than 20 kilos. To prime it off, consultants agree {that a} new Rolling Thunder grip, added to the competitors earlier than his second world document, made the achievement even more astonishing. “The brand new deal with is much more slick,” shares Felix. “I used to be very joyful [with the record].” The Miracle was injured on the time of breaking that second document, however discovered that focussing on method, to maintain himself secure, grew to become an excellent benefit. “As a result of, on the time once I did it, I had a torn calf, so I couldn’t do the rest, so I used to be simply focussing on that Rolling Thunder occasion. And I believe, as a result of I used to be attempting to guard my calf, I simply did an enormous elevate.”
Joe Martinez and WSM
‘Get A Grip’ of Rounded Coaching
Whereas Felix says that he does quite a lot of grip-squeezing actions to work on his hand power, together with enterprise lifts and squeezes whereas carrying tight gloves, the Miracle shares {that a} good grip additionally depends on power coming from different areas of the physique too. “We do quite a lot of coaching, just like the farmers stroll and deadlifts,” says Felix. “You’ll use your again, your legs, and all the pieces, to just be sure you get it proper. We now have to do quite a lot of forearm work.” For the Rolling Thunder, Felix says that simply as a lot thought wants to enter pushing up from the legs and retaining the arm straight, as performing the grip itself. “It’s important to have the correct method to elevate these huge weights,” says Felix.
Working the entire physique is one thing that Felix is captivated with as he will get nearer to Sacramento. And for anybody trying to get began in strongman themselves, or enhance on their current efficiency, The Miracle says that it’s a good suggestion to hunt out a good coach. Many will provide a service the place they may evaluation your coaching movies to guage your type and make options. “Strongman coaching didn’t have any blueprints [when I started out], however now you don’t should go down the flawed route for too lengthy. It’s simpler to get it proper now as a result of there’s individuals there to information you thru it.” To witness some gargantuan feats of bravery and athleticism firsthand in the course of the 2022 WSM, tickets and VIP packages are actually available here!
Lifetime of Strongman Mark Felix
Away from the cheering crowds, Felix works full-time in building. He enjoys his occupation as a result of it retains him energetic, however he feels that years of lifting, plus the repetitive actions concerned together with his day job, contributed to a torn bicep suffered again in 2008. Felix believes that his fast return to motion, following surgical procedure, was a results of listening to his physician and beginning again mild, thus making a full restoration inside round 6 months. “It by no means bothered me once more,” he says, fortunately. When it comes to taking care of himself, Felix will not be a kind of rivals that simply likes to throw down energy from any supply. As an alternative, he meticulously prepares meals before each working day, and he retains it clear, preferring salads, fruits, greens, rice, pasta, rooster, fish and steak. “I eat very smart,” he says. “I additionally complement my weight-reduction plan with protein shakes.” Moreover, the legend takes Glucosamine for its potential advantages to joints, alongside a multi-vitamin, and is bound to maintain hydrated always. All in all, Felix consumes round 7,500 energy every day, from 5-6 meals, and he retains this constant all year long. He doesn’t ramp-up, or lose plenty of weight earlier than competitions comparable to this upcoming World’s Strongest Man occasion. “My weight has simply stabilized,” says Felix. However if you’re searching for proof of a few of these legendary strongman meal parts, the man-mountain does share that he’ll eat 6 or 7 Weetabix for his breakfast. His alternative of milk? “The semi-skimmed doesn’t have as a lot protein as the entire milk, so I drink the entire milk,” he shares.
After an 8-hour shift on web site, Felix heads straight to the gymnasium however nonetheless makes certain to get 6-8 hours of sleep each night. “After working onerous all day, and coaching at evening, I sleep properly!” says the adorned strongman. It’s a tried and examined formulation that has served this warrior properly, as a result of he tells M&F that there are presently no aches or pains, and he feels higher than ever. Nonetheless, one factor that Felix has modified by way of the best way that he trains now versus how he skilled when he was youthful, is to build-in extra warm-ups. “If you grow old, you must do much more warming-up than a number of the younger guys,” laughs Felix. “Your physique tends to be much more slower, so as a result of the occasions are checks of velocity, you’ve gotta be fast. So, you must just be sure you’ve warmed-up sufficient.”
Mark Felix is All the time Trying Ahead
When it comes to retirement plans, they’re removed from Felix’s thoughts as he seems to be forward to competing towards the likes of Scotland’s Tom Stoltman who gained the occasion final yr, his brother Luke, Brian Shaw, Robert Oberst and plenty of different gigantic greats. “I’m nonetheless going robust,” he says. “My physique will inform me when to cease.” However proper now, Felix’s physique may be very a lot telling him to maintain battling.
“I’m feeling excellent in the meanwhile,” beams Felix. “I’m wanting ahead to it. It’s going to be an excellent present. It’s my seventeenth yr on the World’s Strongest Man and I’m feeling nice in the meanwhile. Coaching goes superior.”
