Unconventional Athletes Issue 3
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www.unconventionalathletes.com<br />
CONTRIBUTORS<br />
MARK SMITH<br />
Nationality: AMERICAN<br />
Mark Smith is the owner and founder of Asylum Fitness. He is a Movement and Strength Coach. He believes<br />
in reclaiming our birthright as humans to be able to move however and whenever we want or choose<br />
to. Coach Mark teaches his students how to move as they did when they were kids, freely and without<br />
hesitation or thought. This freedom through movement practice is highly rewarding and has profound<br />
health benefits. The goal for students at Asylum Fitness is to live long active and playful lives. Coach Mark<br />
also enjoys teaching his students to reconnect with nature through play, as well as connecting with other<br />
humans through games. Ultimately through his teaching we move better, feel better, and become better<br />
humans.<br />
Coach Mark originally began as a WITS certified personal trainer after graduating with a minor in<br />
Exercise Sports Science, concentration on Coaching, from The University of North Carolina at Chapel<br />
Hill. In his endless pursuit of knowledge, education and self betterment he has added the c-FMS<br />
(Functional Movement Screen) under Gray Cook, MCT2 (MovNat level two certified trainer), and several<br />
workshops. In the summer of 2014 he flew to Dublin, Ireland to learn from the brilliant Ido Portal. While<br />
he was there he got to spend 5 days with a colleague named Dave Hedges, founder of Wild Geese Fitness.<br />
His time spent with Dave was invaluable, as Dave is a wealth of knowledge and is eager to share. The<br />
whole trip was a pivotal paradigm in his pedagogy. In September of 2014 Coach Mark participated in<br />
the beta test of the Onnit Level 1 Certification. Mark is now an Alpha Affiliate at Onnit. Coach Mark<br />
writes frequently for several online publications and teaches workshops all over (upon request)<br />
sharing his journey into movement culture with anyone who will listen and wants to learn.<br />
Mark’s physical background is track 4x800m, 3200m, 800m, 1600m; cross country, wrestling<br />
(all-conference), Jiu-jitsu on and off for nearly 10 years (serious for the first 4 under Joe Hurst in<br />
Concord, NC), Muay Thai, and a little boxing. In College he was a competitive Ballroom Dancer, and now<br />
he is dabbling in parkour and rudimentary gymnastics. He is an outdoor enthusiast and barefoot<br />
practitioner. He also enjoys strongman training and highland games training.<br />
WEBSITE: http://www.AsylumFitness.com<br />
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/asylumfitnessnc<br />
INSTAGRAM: Instagram @coachmarkaf<br />
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfZKSRBHr9LIkxD_vX2ij2g<br />
JAMES (JIM) SMITH<br />
Nationality: Hawaiian<br />
Born in Virginia, USA. Personal Trainer, Dialysis Technician, Store owner, Author.<br />
Founder of the Animal Ability method, which is an ever-evolving way to train and eat for optimum<br />
results. The Animal Ability method uses ancient and modern techniques to enhance health and<br />
fitness in contemporary times. James is a fountain of knowledge both spiritually and physically,<br />
as years of pragmatism have forged this man's unconventional training methods to another level.<br />
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/107331742747208/fref=ts<br />
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAbility<br />
<strong>Issue</strong> 03 - Volume 1 Page 11
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