Superstar: Mark Henderson

Mark Henderson

A Pennsylvania native and high school athlete, Mark graduated from UNH’s Whittemore School of Business and Economics in 1990 and never left town. He is an active member of the Durham community; starting the Lacrosse program at Oyster River High School in 1996, and as the owner of a property management company with a majority of its holdings in Durham.

Mark is married to Christine Henderson, and they have two kids— Grace, 10, and Hunter, 8. The Hendersons love to participate in sports as a family including their favorite sport, skiing. As Mark comments, “ There is nothing better than chasing your kids down a ski trail. I used to say there is nothing better than having your kids follow you down a ski trail but that changed this year – now we’re chasing them.”

Just over a year ago Mark went for a physical. Embarrassed by the number on the scale, Mark blamed it on heavy clothes and a defective scale. He was informed that he was borderline obese for his height. Mark made up his mind to get serious about his health, and a change in his lifestyle. He realized he was always tired and dragging through the day with very little energy. He decided to participate in the Wildcat Fitness’ “Biggest Loser Contest” where winning was based on the loss of the most body fat percentage over a 6 week period. His first weigh-in indicated a 27% body fat composition – over 50 lbs of fat. Mark went to the Wildcat Fitness’ front desk and picked up the plastic blob of 5 lbs of simulated fat and was grossed out imagining 50 lbs of fat. The challenge was on! Mark ended up coming in 2nd place losing 5.2% of his body fat, and motivated to lose more.

Mark set a new weight goal including a body fat composition of 10%. Mark was under the impression exercise would reduce both weight and fat composition but soon realized that his whole lifestyle needed to change – attitude, diet, and exercise. Over the last 15 months Mark has worked hard towards his goal by achieving an impressive 10.4% body fat. His routine includes a daily mix of cardio exercise and weights. As for his diet, he has drastically cut down on carbohydrate consumption while increasing his protein intake. Mark has been able to increase his metabolism through diet and exercise, enabling him to eat almost as much by making healthier choices.

Last Fall, Mark entered two half marathons and finished them both, improving his time in the second race. His new goal is to run his next half marathon faster, and feeling better at the finish. Then he’ll consider a full marathon.

Wildcat Fitness offered Mark an avenue to change his life. He is motivated by the staff; whether it’s a challenge posed by TJ, or a race completed by Sue, one of the owners. Mark finds the Wildcat Fitness environment very healthy; enabling members to have the freedom to do as little, or as much as they want with ample exercise machines, and advice for whatever levels of exercise members want to achieve.