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 competitors going down Could 24-29 in Sacramento, CA. We sat down with Felix, one of many world’s most prolific strongman competitors entrants, to achieve 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 might conquer his youthful opponents. “Rising up as a child, I at all times needed to be match and robust,” says Felix. “So, I began bodybuilding and I did a number of competitions the place I got here second and third.” Casting a big shadow throughout his coaching periods, Felix was quickly seen for his dimension and power at his native fitness center in Accrington, Lancashire, and was approached by the proprietor about coming into his first strongman competitors. “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 continues to be proving that youth is not 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 begin one thing,” says the large man.
Casey Brooke Lawson and WSM
‘Miracle’ Mark Felix Has Moved A number of Information
Extremely, Felix has now competed in 100 strongman competitions, together with 22 worldwide wins, and has to this point made 3 appearances within the World’s Strongest Man semi-finals. He additionally holds information for the Rolling Thunder carry 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 recognized straightaway by putting third in England’s Strongest Man. In 2005, he took second place. That very same yr, he received the IFSA British Championship, and in 2008 he received 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 might simply really feel it,” remembers Felix. “It was identical to the adrenaline, and the push, and the quantity of those that was there, I might 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 connected to weight plates, designed to make the challenger battle to deadlift the plates off the ground with one hand. Having set the world file 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 file, made the achievement much more astonishing. “The brand new deal with is much more slick,” shares Felix. “I used to be very completely happy [with the record].” The Miracle was injured on the time of breaking that second file, however discovered that focussing on method, to maintain himself secure, turned an excellent benefit. “As a result of, on the time after I did it, I had a torn calf, so I couldn’t do anything, so I used to be simply focussing on that Rolling Thunder occasion. And I believe, as a result of I used to be making an attempt to guard my calf, I simply did an enormous carry.”
Joe Martinez and WSM
‘Get A Grip’ of Rounded Coaching
Whereas Felix says that he does plenty of grip-squeezing actions to work on his hand power, together with endeavor 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 plenty of coaching, just like the farmers stroll and deadlifts,” says Felix. “You’ll use your again, your legs, and every part, to just remember to get it proper. We’ve to do plenty 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 a must to have the correct method to carry these large weights,” says Felix.
Working the entire physique is one thing that Felix is enthusiastic about as he will get nearer to Sacramento. And for anybody trying to get began in strongman themselves, or enhance on their present efficiency, The Miracle says that it’s a good suggestion to hunt out a good coach. Many will supply a service the place they are going to overview your coaching movies to guage your type and make solutions. “Strongman coaching didn’t have any blueprints [when I started out], however now you don’t must go down the improper route for too lengthy. It’s simpler to get it proper now as a result of there’s folks there to information you thru it.” To witness some gargantuan feats of bravery and athleticism firsthand through the 2022 WSM, tickets and VIP packages at the moment are obtainable right 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. By way of taking care of himself, Felix isn’t a type of opponents that simply likes to throw down energy from any supply. As a substitute, he meticulously prepares meals earlier than every working day, and he retains it clear, preferring salads, fruits, greens, rice, pasta, rooster, fish and steak. “I eat very wise,” 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 certain 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 numerous weight earlier than competitions reminiscent of 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 website, Felix heads straight to the fitness center however nonetheless makes positive to get 6-8 hours of sleep every evening. “After working onerous all day, and coaching at evening, I sleep properly!” says the adorned strongman. It’s a tried and examined components 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 educated when he was youthful, is to build-in extra warm-ups. “Once you become older, you need to 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 assessments of velocity, you’ve gotta be fast. So, you need to just remember to’ve warmed-up sufficient.”
Mark Felix is All the time Trying Ahead
By way of retirement plans, they’re removed from Felix’s thoughts as he seems to be forward to competing in opposition to the likes of Scotland’s Tom Stoltman who received the occasion final yr, his brother Luke, Brian Shaw, Robert Oberst and lots of different gigantic greats. “I’m nonetheless going sturdy,” he says. “My physique will inform me when to cease.” However proper now, Felix’s physique could be very a lot telling him to maintain battling.
“I’m feeling excellent in the intervening time,” 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 intervening time. Coaching goes superior.”
