I
am Chris Marchant 25 years old and Medically Retired United States Coast Guard
(2009-2015). I'm fitness/ lifestyle apparel company Violate the Dress Code's newest athlete. About 4 years ago I started working out, not expecting
anything out of it just wanted a healthier more fit lifestyle. I was
married and had a 1 year old son. About a year into my marriage I found
out my wife was having an affair and she took my son and left me. I was
really depressed and turned to Alcohol and partying for months but then I
decided to turn my life more towards fitness so I stopped drinking and
going out and got hooked on weight training.
About a year after that
happened while I was stationed in Baltimore MD. I was in a severe
motorcycle accident that almost ended my life (June 27th 2013) After 3
weeks in shock trauma and 9 reconstructive surgeries, I walked out of
the hospital with pins sticking out of my hand and wrist, along with a 2
herniated and 4 bulged discs in my lower back and no feeling in half of
my right foot and no feeling in my left hand and nerve damage in my
entire left leg. I left the hospital with thoughts that I'd never use my
hand again, I'd never walk normal again, I'd never be who I was...I took
that negative news and became even more adamant about fitness.
When the
pins were removed I slowly started pushing myself to the extreme limits
and training harder than ever. A friend, who is well known throughout
the industry introduced me to the owners of Versa
Gripps, with the grips I could lift as much weight as I possibly could with
my bad hand. Instantly due to my story the Parkers (owners of Versa
Gripps) had me join their team because I was a true testament of how
well the Gripps helped. I went from 175 lbs to about 240 lbs over the
next 2 years and I found myself helping others that had injuries that
"prevented them from working out."
I
didn't just have a pity party for myself now that I was disabled. I
never had the thoughts " I can't do that" I motivated myself by thinking
" how can I do this" and I got it done! I had about 500-1000 followers
on instagram and with a year of traveling around the country, talking
to people, making connections and friends I was up to over 10k followers
then, now over 15k. I found that social media was the way that could
connect with people that I could inspire. Those people I would have probably
never met otherwise.
As time passed. I decided that I wanted to try and compete in a NPC
Physique show. I dieted for 8 weeks and took to the stage for the first
time. I placed 9th out of 30 plus competitors in my class and was happy
with that knowing that a year prior I didn't think lifting a single
weight would be possible. After that show I was traveling to Pittsburg
PA for the Pittsburg Pro to support a few IFBB Pro friends that were
competing. None of them could afford to drive there so I drove them all
and halfway through the trip, one IFBB PRO couldn't even make a
phone call because he couldn't even afford his phone bill.
That's where
it hit me, I realized that there was more to fitness than just competing
to get what, four letters (IFBB) on my instagram account. That wasn't
for me. I knew there was more in this industry. I wanted to continue
what I was doing, not what everyone else was doing. I love to inspire,
motivate, and help people who actually need it. I began getting noticed
by companies such as, RSP Nutrition and along with previously mentioned
Versa Gripps and now fitness apparel company Violate the Dress Code. They gave me opportunities not
because I want a pro card, but because they saw how I impacted people
and represented myself, along with how I would represent them. I love my
life to help others. Whether it's just motivating through social media,
talking to people and helping them through rough times, training people
online, or in the gym. I have a severe desire to lift others up and
encourage them to overcome whatever it is they may think limits them.
