Originally from Moscow, Russia, Mark was raised in the US, after his parents immigrated in 1977. A summa cum laude graduate of Auburn University, he found himself drawn to fitness and weight training while still in college, eventually settling on powerlifting as his avocation of choice. In 3 years of participation in American Powerlifting Association sponsored events, his credits included a 505 lb. bench press, 661 lb. deadlift, and 680 lb. squat (in the superheavyweight class).
After retiring from the sport, Mark decided to parlay his knowledge of anatomy and physiology, as well as his practical experience in weightlifting, into a career as a personal trainer. Driven by a desire to help individuals reach their fitness, strength, and endurance goals, he entered the profession in 2002, working at Kaz Fitness Center in Auburn, AL (a gym opened by 3-time World’s Strongest Man Bill Kazmaier). The following year Mark moved to Atlanta, where he has trained clients in both large facilities such as LA Fitness and the private studios Body Fusion and SFX in Roswell. He is certified by NESTA (National Exercise and Sports Training Association) and has worked with individuals ranging in age from 11 to 75. Mark is also trilingual, speaking English, Russian, and Spanish, and pursues a second career as an opera singer, performing with such companies as the Capitol City Opera and Amici Opera Company in Philadelphia.