A decade ago Mark Figearo’s health was in such a perilous state that his doctors feared the worst. With a family history of heart problems the California businessman knew he had to take drastic action to reverse the inevitable decline in his health.  Now aged 68, Mark works out five days a week and is a keen obstacle course racer.  This is the second in our series of interviews at Results Fitness, in Newhall, California, featuring older athletes enjoying the best health of their lives. In this interview with LLAMA’s Peter Bowes, Mark explains his daily regime and shares the secrets behind his journey to optimum fitness and mental clarity.

Published on: 26 Nov 2018 @ 18:12 PT

NOTES AND QUOTES

Connect with Mark: Business | Results Fitness

In this episode we learn about:

• How Mark’s awareness of health started as a young boy when his father passed away.
• The “horror” of the 1950s ‘contractor’s diet.’
• How a health scare ten years ago forever changed Mark’s attitude towards his own health and fitness.
• How Mark combined his passion for cooking with a new-found appreciation of intense exercise, to get in shape.

“I’m 68 years old and take no meds.”

• What happens when life gets in the way of living an active lifestyle.
• How to overcome a life-long hatred of exercise.

“A few years ago I was thinking, ‘hey if I make it to 80 I’ll do do well.’ Now I’m ready to go to 100.”

• How Mark combined his passion for cooking with a new-found appreciation of intense exercise, to get in shape.
• Still working at 68 and still enjoying it. “I like the challenges and what it does for me mentally.”

“I feel like I’ve got a lot of things to live for and keep going.

• Bulletproof Coffee and Apple Cider vinegar.
• Working out with fellow older athletes in a family atmosphere.
• Preparing for a Spartan Race and going back for more.

“The minute I jumped that fire I couldn’t wait to do it again. It was such an exhilarating experience it was a feeling of accomplishment.”

Related episodes:

• Joe de Sena – Spartan Race founder – changing and enhancing lives the Spartan way.  Listen to: Episode 68:
• Rachel Cosgrove – Obstacle race solution to mid-life fitness crisis. Listen to: Episode 82