Your Coach
Real coaching from a certified trainer who has been through the grind and knows exactly how to get you to the other side.
Head Coach & Founder
NASM-CPT | ACE-GFI | Precision Nutrition Level 2
Marcus grew up in Portland as a three-sport athlete — football, wrestling, and track. After a knee injury ended his college football career, he found himself facing the same challenge many of his future clients would: how do you stay fit, stay motivated, and build a body that lasts when the structure is gone?
The answer became FitLife. Over 8 years and 500+ clients, Marcus has developed a no-gimmick, science-based coaching methodology that consistently delivers real, lasting transformation — not just for athletes, but for busy parents, desk workers, retirees, and complete beginners.
His core belief: the best program is the one you'll actually stick to. Marcus meets every client exactly where they are and builds intelligently from there — no judgment, no shortcuts, no wasted sessions.
Marcus holds a B.S. in Kinesiology from Portland State University. He regularly completes continuing education in strength periodization, corrective exercise, sports nutrition, and behavior change psychology. He is an active member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Outside the gym, Marcus coaches youth athletics on weekends and volunteers with the Portland Parks adaptive fitness program. He believes strongly that quality coaching should be accessible — which is why FitLife's group membership starts at $99/month.
How We Train
Three principles that guide every workout, every nutrition conversation, and every client relationship at FitLife.
We don't chase perfect workout weeks or flawless eating. We chase consistent, progressive improvement. Showing up 80% consistently beats burning out chasing 100% every single time.
Fitness doesn't stop at the gym door. Sleep, stress, nutrition, hydration, and mindset are all part of the equation. We coach the whole person — not just the workout rep counts.
Motivation fades. Reliable systems and good habits don't. We spend as much energy building the routines that support your training as we do on the training itself.
The Origin Story
Eight years of learning, growing, and showing up for clients — one transformation at a time.
Walked away from a desk job to pursue personal training full-time. First 10 clients were friends and family. Earned NASM-CPT while training out of a local gym.
Added bootcamp and group training. The community energy produced results I hadn't seen in 1-on-1 work alone. Added ACE Group Fitness certification.
Earned Precision Nutrition Level 1. Saw immediately that clients who combined training and nutrition support got dramatically better results — and kept them.
Built out an app-based training system during the pandemic. Discovered that online coaching opened FitLife to clients across the country — and the format stuck.
Signed the lease on our current location. Built a proper strength floor, turf area, and dedicated group fitness space. The community has a permanent home now.
Still coaching every day, still learning. Added two additional coaches. The goal hasn't changed: make elite coaching accessible to every person in Portland who wants it.
The Proof Is in the People
Replace these with your own before/after photos and testimonials — the most powerful marketing there is.
"The nutrition coaching changed everything. I stopped dieting and started actually eating — and the weight came off faster than it ever had."
"After years of mediocre progress with other trainers, the programming here actually makes sense. My strength numbers have never been higher."
"Doing this as a couple made all the difference. FitLife gave us a shared goal and the accountability to actually reach it."
Next Step
Book a free 30-minute assessment. We'll look at where you are, listen to what you want, and show you exactly what your plan looks like. Zero pressure.