Our April Athlete of the Month, Mark Salander, has been putting in the work! His approach to fitness is simple, consistent, and driven by purpose, and it shows.

“I am a Northeast transplant and legal professional who enjoys playing tennis (at least 3-4 times a week), watching movies, and exploring,” Mark says.

That consistency shows up most clearly in how he trains. Tennis is his go-to, not just because he enjoys it, but because it challenges him in more ways than one.

“Playing tennis...works both the body and mind,” Mark says.

And while he’s committed to staying active, he’s also honest about the parts he doesn’t love.

“Running on the treadmill [is my least favorite]. Every time I get on one, time seems to come to an almost complete standstill. One minute feels like an eternity,” he says.

Still, that hasn’t stopped him from setting new goals and pushing himself outside of his comfort zone.

“I exercise for a variety of reasons. Obviously to stay healthy and fit, and hopefully increase my longevity. To strengthen my muscles in order to prevent pain and discomfort." I also exercise to relieve stress. It's a great way to unplug from the day to day grind and just focus on yourself. No matter what is going on, I always feel accomplished leaving the gym,” Mark says.

That mindset has paid off in a big way. One of his recent milestones speaks to the work he’s been putting in behind the scenes.

“I recently benched 200 lbs. It was a major milestone on how far I have come in my strength training,” he says.

But he’s not stopping there. Mark is already looking ahead to his next challenge, even if it means leaning into something he doesn’t naturally enjoy.

“My next fitness goal is to start running. I would like to be able to run 5 miles comfortably and I would like for running to become a habit. I just need to start. Decide today is the today, put on my shoes and go for a run and see how I do,” Mark says.

That willingness to take action and figure things out as he goes is a big part of what makes Mark stand out. And along the way, he’s been open to guidance to help him move better and stay pain-free.

“I have been discussing this goal with Dr. Kiersten and she had me run on the treadmill in order to analyze my form and provide constructive feedback,” he says.

Mark’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. After dealing with a previous disc herniation, he knew what it felt like when something wasn’t right.

“I sought out NWP when I experienced extreme discomfort doing a seated leg press one morning. I had previously herniated my L5 S1 disc two years ago and the pain felt very similar,” Mark says.

Through consistent work and a clear plan, he made steady progress.

“After my initial visit and assessment, we established clear goals that I wanted to meet through treatment. Through weekly appointments that consisted of dry needling, cupping, stretching, exercises, and homework assignments, I can confidently say that I can touch my toes without any pain and sit comfortably again,” he says.

More importantly, the experience changed how he approaches his body and training.

“Working with Dr. Kiersten made me much more aware of my body and how at times it can overcompensate for weak areas. I am much more aware of my posture and focused on building core strength,” Mark says.

Outside of the clinic, Mark stays connected through the local tennis community.

“I play tennis at Genesis and the community there is very welcoming and fun. They put on lots of different drills and clinics that allow you to meet and play with all different types of players,” he says.

And if you didn’t already think he was interesting enough, here’s a fun fact...

“I have an identical twin,” Mark says.

When it comes to offering advice to others, Mark keeps it grounded and real.

“Do your homework. Consistency is key. Office visits alone are not enough to fix your problems. Healing is a journey it will take time,” he says. “Listen to your body. If something does not feel right, stop.”

Mark is a great example of what it looks like to stay active, set goals, and keep showing up. Whether he’s on the court, in the gym, or working toward that first consistent run, he’s building something that lasts.

We’re proud to have Mark as our April Athlete of the Month!