MEET BLACKBIRD’S NEWEST COACH: Mark WelshMark started his fitness journey with Blackbird CrossFit in 2015 at the age of 50. Eight years of doing CrossFit has changed Mark profoundly. He developed an unbreakable commitment to his physical fitness, mental health, and diet, and has a voracious appetite for learning as much as he can.
Mark has been a treasured member of our community, helping others and inspiring everyone, especially our Masters population, by seemingly defying the rules of aging. Even making it to the Age Qualifier round for the past two years of the CrossFit Games. In the 2023 Open, he placed 90th in the world and 62nd in the United States among men ages 55-59!
After 35 years in accounting, Mark is excited about his journey as a CrossFit Coach.
“I’m ready for something outside my comfort zone that provides me with something the Japanese call “ikigai” (pronounced eee-key-guy) which translates to “your reason for being.” CrossFit and BBCF are certainly things I love and am passionate about. My father died at age 50; the age I started CrossFit. So, I look at every CrossFit class as extending my life by a day.”
“Certainly, the world needs CrossFit, especially in the United States with high rates of obesity, diabetes, and all the other chronic diseases. I don’t see any other solution other than diet and exercise/functional movement/activity. CrossFit may not be the only fitness/lifestyle program that accomplishes this, but it certainly checks all the boxes. I want to be a part of that and help others live a healthier and more active life, especially our older population.”
If you’re a Blackbird, you know Mark. You know how much he cares. You know how much of himself he pours into this gym. He has worked hard for the past 5 months in the Blackbird CrossFit Coaching Internship. Our Coaching Team is extremely excited to have him officially wearing a red shirt! Welcome Coach Mark!!