Introducing Marcus Crowder, an athlete whose journey from the football fields to the world of Strongman has been nothing short of inspiring. Born and raised in Mebane, NC, Marcus is the co-owner of New Millennium Fitness with the Pit, located in Hillsborough, NC. A 2016 graduate of Coastal Carolina, Marcus’s athletic career has seen a remarkable transformation, and he has become a standout figure in the world of Strongman.
From a young age, Marcus was surrounded by health and fitness. His father owned a gym, and by the age of five, Marcus was already a familiar face there. This early exposure laid the foundation for his athletic pursuits. Despite his larger frame, Marcus moved with agility and grace, which led him to excel in football. He played the sport throughout his youth and into college, where he earned a full scholarship to Coastal Carolina. There, he not only played football but also pursued a degree in Communications, graduating in 2016.
The seeds of Marcus’s fascination with Strongman were planted in the third grade, when he watched Strongman competitions on ESPN. The sight of the world's strongest athletes lifting, pulling, and manipulating colossal weights captivated him. This early interest eventually grew into a passion that would define his athletic career.
After deciding to leave football in his senior year of college, Marcus pursued his dream of becoming a Strongman. Without any prior training in the sport, he entered his first competition, the 2016 North Carolina Strongest Man contest, and secured third place. This initial success was just the beginning of his journey in Strongman.
Marcus's dedication and hard work have led to numerous accomplishments in his Strongman career. Among his notable achievements, winning the 2023 Official Strongman Games stands out. Additionally, Marcus qualified and competed in his first-ever World’s Strongest Man competition this past May in Myrtle Beach, SC.
For the past few months, Marcus has been using the AIRWAAV mouthpiece, crediting it with helping enhance his performance as a professional Strongman athlete. The mouthpiece has become a crucial part of his training and competition routine.
Marcus shares, “A lot of things are running through your mind when you step up to the starting line of an event. With AIRWAAV, breathing is one less thing I have to worry about. I know when it comes down to it, the difference between me and the next guy is the amount of air I have left in the tank. I know in the end my strength, stamina, and breathing stability will help explode me through the finish line!”
Q&A with Marcus Crowder
Can you walk us through the pivotal moment when you decided to dive headfirst into the world of Strongman?
After quitting football at Coastal Carolina, I decided to sign up for my first competition and didn’t have any history of strongman or previous training.
What was the spark that ignited your passion for this unique sport, and how did it drive you to where you are today?
In third grade watching on ESPN lit the spark! I was raised in a gym, because my dad owned one.
What aspect of Strongman keeps you hooked and fuels your fire to train and compete at an elite level?
The pure craziness of trying to be the strongest to ever walk the Earth.
How has your athletic past and experiences paved the way for your success in Strongman?
Having a football background helped me stick to the fundamentals of strength, speed, and footwork. It all comes down to practicing how you play.
Give us a glimpse into your past with sports that have molded you into the elite strongman athlete you are today.
I have played football since the seventh grade, and I earned a full ride to Coastal Carolina to play football and in doing this I learned hard work pays off.
If you had to choose a single Strongman movement as your favorite, what would it be and why?
My favorite movement would have to be the standard deadlift! I am a huge fan of testing my ability to pick up some heavy weight. A lot of people may say this is the biggest test of strength.
What’s a moment in your strongman career that you are most proud of?
I would have to say World’s Strongest Man!
Can you tell us about a significant setback you have had in your career? How did you overcome it?
I have had two major setbacks in my career thus far, it would have to be my quad and bicep tears. I took it day by day and just kept focusing on the positive.
From first encounter to present-day use, how has the AIRWAAV Mouthpiece helped your performance?
The AIRWAAV Mouthpiece helps me control my breathing under intense strength and cardio tasks. These tasks and events can be tough, and with AIRWAAV’s help, I can slow my breathing to explode through gametime lifts.
Do you have a preference in the PX1 vs the PX2 model? Give us a glimpse on which mouthpieces you prefer and why.
I like both the PX1 and PX2, but personally I prefer the PX1 model! I really like the loose-fitting mold of the PX1, it really helps me keep my breathing under control.
What can we expect from Marcus Crowder in the next few years?
I am looking to do whatever I need to do to claw my way back to World’s Strongest Man! I hope to use this year to better my training and make my way to the finals next year. I am expected to compete in Las Vegas for Giant’s Live on September 28th, so that is the next thing I am getting geared up for right now.
Do you have any advice or tips for someone looking to start training in strongman?
I would just say to trust the process and never give up!
