We thought we'd lock Marc down for a quick chat after being appointed Head Trainer of Les Mills India, Middle East and Africa
Tell us about your career so far…
After finishing my Sports Science Degree I wanted to go into fitness as a Personal Trainer.
I was rushed onto a BODYCOMBAT™ course when a colleague couldn’t attend, having no Group Ex experience and not knowing who Les Mills was! That turned out to be my anchor. I worked in the Fitness industry for large UK chains as a Fitness Manager and Sales manager, always managing to teach classes wherever I went. After making it onto the Les Mills UK Trainer Team I was able to develop and progress by being surrounded by such talented people. This led to me landing a job with Les Mills UK as a Regional Training coordinator.
As a Presenter, I was lucky enough to represent Les Mills in GRIT filming in Amsterdam. When the Les Mills India, Middle East, and Africa role appeared I wanted a new challenge and to have the chance to work with such a diverse team is amazing. We literally cover the globe with Nationalities and I’m excited to get stuck in!
If you weren’t a Fitness Instructor, you would be…
I’d play Rugby for Wales! That was never going to happen though so maybe a dog walker seems like a great job. You get to be outside and surrounded by dogs! Bliss!
Tell us something that people don’t know about you…
I managed to convince my wife to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for our Honeymoon! I think she’s forgiven me : )
What’s your ideal day off?
It has to include food, friends, and sport!
What made you become a Les Mills Instructor?
I had just started at a gym in Wales and my colleague couldn’t attend the BODYCOMBAT™ course on the weekend. My gym manager asked if I wanted to go and I said yes. I had no idea of the intensity of the weekend and was amazed at how much I learned and how much I was motivated to be better. This got me hooked and being able to teach classes and get an immediate response from the members was the highlight of my working day. From there I was hooked and ended up certifying in 5 Les Mills programmes! I knew from the first day that I tried a BODYCOMBAT™ class that it would change my life, and it did!
What’s the highlight of your career so far?
Becoming a Head Trainer. To have the chance to work with the Les Mills IMEA team and help us to grow even stronger is an amazing opportunity!
Thanks Marc! And if you want to hear more from Marc follow him on Instagram @marc_p_downey.
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