Marcus Irwin grew up hating sports. Attending school in Sydney, Australia, he excelled in subjects like art,
science, and geography. "I was a little bit of a tubby," Marcus told me. "So I felt embarrassed about
propelling my blubber around in full view. I never was fond of any team sports or being physical in any way,
shape, or form, ironically."
Ironic, indeed. After leaving high school, Marcus joined a gym to get in shape and was drawn to the driving
disco music he heard coming from the aerobics classes. He must have done pretty well: one day an
instructor was out sick, and the other students persuaded Marcus to take over. By the end of the year, he
was winning Aerobic Championships.
Marcus has an impressive list of wins including Dual World Aerobic Champion, European Shape Up
Presenter of the Year (twice), Australian Presenter of the Year, Best International Presenter ECA New York
(three times), Best International Presenter award at Toronto Can Fit Pro, Suzuki World Cup Gold Medal,
and World Aerobic Championship Gold Medal. He has presented at conventions and workshops all over
the world, leaving his mark in 47 different countries.
Recently, Marcus has traveled to Malaysia, India, and Israel. "The cultures are so different to our own. But
they, too, are enjoying the Black Eyed Peas and Britney Spears, while mambo-cha-cha'ing and yelling out
'You got it!' in their native tongues."
Marcus' funniest convention experience happened in Russia. The organizers hold their event in the Opera
Concert Hall in Red Square and spare no expense. "The theme one year was Space and Fitness!?!,"
Marcus says as if he's still trying to figure out the connection. "So a giant spaceship was built and the
instructors were lowered on to the stage, which was filled with dancers. Once landed, we proceeded to
step-touch! It seemed very odd, after all the hoo-ha, to go 'and, now . . . step-touch!'"
Marcus has cut back his traveling lately to work on a new project. "Since the middle of last year, I've been
working on setting up my Free2Be training school and fitness club in Australia. When they are up and
running, I'm sure to be chained to the podium once more . . . So until then, I am enjoying a different
creative process . . . a seated one. I only did 5 events last year, and this year I have 3. So after 12 years of
40+ events a year and not knowing which country I was in, it is really nice to chill for awhile."
So what exactly is Marcus up to these days? And, foremost on all our minds, can we look forward to any
new DVD releases?
"We just filmed another 15 releases in Belgium. New set, new location, and new teachers. I, myself,
filmed three new videos: two step and one aerobics. They'll be out hopefully by August."
Marcus is excited about some new teachers from Brussels that he's also filmed. "They have to be seen to
be believed. It's the most intricate and amazing choreography I have seen. And so well-taught!" That's
high praise coming from Marcus Irwin, King of Well-Taught Choreography!
"I also just filmed five videos here in Australia for the Free2Be training courses. Two are 3-hour freestyle
training choreography courses, and three are the classes. They are coming out now."
I was curious what motivated Marcus to go from presenter to producer. He says, "I really wanted to show
the world how many amazing teachers there are. Everywhere I go, I see these amazing individuals who,
for whatever reason, don't get a chance in the spotlight. So I wanted to take the world to people's living
rooms. I get to go to these places, and I wanted to bring back some souvenirs to show off."
Marcus' reward is the mail he gets from people saying they have learned how to teach and educate from
his Evolution Video line. "It makes me feel like it is worth it, as I would have loved to have had this kind of
input when starting out."
Another exciting change in Marcus' life is, "I am now filming, producing, and editing the videos myself.
Hello! It's a dream come true! I was in the film business before a fitness hobby somehow became a
career . . . So after 20 years, to join these two together . . . I could not love my job more!"
Marcus is able to cut his production time by doing things in-house. "The editing used to take forever, as I
would do it via e-mail with my editor in Switzerland. But now I have all the equipment myself, and I just
finished editing all the last lot in a week." But, he says, "The covers take forever, as there is a lot of work in
making we tired and withered-looking presenters into the Hollywoodized Glamour Models on the front
cover."
Planning a series usually takes about 4 months. It is not an undertaking for the faint of heart, as each new
title runs about $45,000 to produce and manufacture. Things need to run like clockwork to minimize costs.
"As I live in Australia and the shoots are in Europe, I have a team over there who works with me each time.
This last shoot was a brand-new country team and crew, so it took longer. The shoots are normally 4 days,
and we cram in 4 videos a day. It's a marathon."
More exciting news from Marcus: "I think this year DVD will finally take over from VHS. The costs of
producing DVD (mastering, authoring, etc.) are still really high. In the past, sales did not reflect the
amounts needed to cover the set-up costs. However, since I'm now doing all of those parts myself, look for
all titles on DVD soon."
"I am also doing a 'Best Of' series. Marcus Irwin through the ages. A 3-hour retrospective of too-short
shorts, awful hair, fashion faux pas, and bad jokes. Oh, and a lot of choreography from 1995 to 2005, also.
Should be either great or embarrassing."
For the rest of 2005, Marcus is hoping for a lot of new instructors. He is filming for two weeks in
September, and says he needs to "get cracking." He doesn't have the instructors all lined up yet, and I
wondered how he selects them. "I see them at conventions. They are dear friends. We hang out. It's such
a pleasure -- no divas allowed. Life's too short. I just love easygoing geniuses and, fortunately, there are a
ton of them in our industry."
How about the personal Marcus? He is single and childless, and he is either 22 or 36 years old (you pick).
His favorite color is purple. Marcus says he doesn't have any hobbies since his life is consumed by his
fitness hobby. Although he doesn't have any pets because he hasn't lived in one place long enough, he
would love to have some. His favorite food is mashed potatoes mixed with peas and onions. I didn't ask,
but he may eat that while watching his favorite movie, Blade Runner, or reading his favorite book, "How to
Find Time for Hobbies."
science, and geography. "I was a little bit of a tubby," Marcus told me. "So I felt embarrassed about
propelling my blubber around in full view. I never was fond of any team sports or being physical in any way,
shape, or form, ironically."
Ironic, indeed. After leaving high school, Marcus joined a gym to get in shape and was drawn to the driving
disco music he heard coming from the aerobics classes. He must have done pretty well: one day an
instructor was out sick, and the other students persuaded Marcus to take over. By the end of the year, he
was winning Aerobic Championships.
Marcus has an impressive list of wins including Dual World Aerobic Champion, European Shape Up
Presenter of the Year (twice), Australian Presenter of the Year, Best International Presenter ECA New York
(three times), Best International Presenter award at Toronto Can Fit Pro, Suzuki World Cup Gold Medal,
and World Aerobic Championship Gold Medal. He has presented at conventions and workshops all over
the world, leaving his mark in 47 different countries.
Recently, Marcus has traveled to Malaysia, India, and Israel. "The cultures are so different to our own. But
they, too, are enjoying the Black Eyed Peas and Britney Spears, while mambo-cha-cha'ing and yelling out
'You got it!' in their native tongues."
Marcus' funniest convention experience happened in Russia. The organizers hold their event in the Opera
Concert Hall in Red Square and spare no expense. "The theme one year was Space and Fitness!?!,"
Marcus says as if he's still trying to figure out the connection. "So a giant spaceship was built and the
instructors were lowered on to the stage, which was filled with dancers. Once landed, we proceeded to
step-touch! It seemed very odd, after all the hoo-ha, to go 'and, now . . . step-touch!'"
Marcus has cut back his traveling lately to work on a new project. "Since the middle of last year, I've been
working on setting up my Free2Be training school and fitness club in Australia. When they are up and
running, I'm sure to be chained to the podium once more . . . So until then, I am enjoying a different
creative process . . . a seated one. I only did 5 events last year, and this year I have 3. So after 12 years of
40+ events a year and not knowing which country I was in, it is really nice to chill for awhile."
So what exactly is Marcus up to these days? And, foremost on all our minds, can we look forward to any
new DVD releases?
"We just filmed another 15 releases in Belgium. New set, new location, and new teachers. I, myself,
filmed three new videos: two step and one aerobics. They'll be out hopefully by August."
Marcus is excited about some new teachers from Brussels that he's also filmed. "They have to be seen to
be believed. It's the most intricate and amazing choreography I have seen. And so well-taught!" That's
high praise coming from Marcus Irwin, King of Well-Taught Choreography!
"I also just filmed five videos here in Australia for the Free2Be training courses. Two are 3-hour freestyle
training choreography courses, and three are the classes. They are coming out now."
I was curious what motivated Marcus to go from presenter to producer. He says, "I really wanted to show
the world how many amazing teachers there are. Everywhere I go, I see these amazing individuals who,
for whatever reason, don't get a chance in the spotlight. So I wanted to take the world to people's living
rooms. I get to go to these places, and I wanted to bring back some souvenirs to show off."
Marcus' reward is the mail he gets from people saying they have learned how to teach and educate from
his Evolution Video line. "It makes me feel like it is worth it, as I would have loved to have had this kind of
input when starting out."
Another exciting change in Marcus' life is, "I am now filming, producing, and editing the videos myself.
Hello! It's a dream come true! I was in the film business before a fitness hobby somehow became a
career . . . So after 20 years, to join these two together . . . I could not love my job more!"
Marcus is able to cut his production time by doing things in-house. "The editing used to take forever, as I
would do it via e-mail with my editor in Switzerland. But now I have all the equipment myself, and I just
finished editing all the last lot in a week." But, he says, "The covers take forever, as there is a lot of work in
making we tired and withered-looking presenters into the Hollywoodized Glamour Models on the front
cover."
Planning a series usually takes about 4 months. It is not an undertaking for the faint of heart, as each new
title runs about $45,000 to produce and manufacture. Things need to run like clockwork to minimize costs.
"As I live in Australia and the shoots are in Europe, I have a team over there who works with me each time.
This last shoot was a brand-new country team and crew, so it took longer. The shoots are normally 4 days,
and we cram in 4 videos a day. It's a marathon."
More exciting news from Marcus: "I think this year DVD will finally take over from VHS. The costs of
producing DVD (mastering, authoring, etc.) are still really high. In the past, sales did not reflect the
amounts needed to cover the set-up costs. However, since I'm now doing all of those parts myself, look for
all titles on DVD soon."
"I am also doing a 'Best Of' series. Marcus Irwin through the ages. A 3-hour retrospective of too-short
shorts, awful hair, fashion faux pas, and bad jokes. Oh, and a lot of choreography from 1995 to 2005, also.
Should be either great or embarrassing."
For the rest of 2005, Marcus is hoping for a lot of new instructors. He is filming for two weeks in
September, and says he needs to "get cracking." He doesn't have the instructors all lined up yet, and I
wondered how he selects them. "I see them at conventions. They are dear friends. We hang out. It's such
a pleasure -- no divas allowed. Life's too short. I just love easygoing geniuses and, fortunately, there are a
ton of them in our industry."
How about the personal Marcus? He is single and childless, and he is either 22 or 36 years old (you pick).
His favorite color is purple. Marcus says he doesn't have any hobbies since his life is consumed by his
fitness hobby. Although he doesn't have any pets because he hasn't lived in one place long enough, he
would love to have some. His favorite food is mashed potatoes mixed with peas and onions. I didn't ask,
but he may eat that while watching his favorite movie, Blade Runner, or reading his favorite book, "How to
Find Time for Hobbies."
| Marcus Irwin May 1, 2005 © 2005, Fitness Organica LLC |
Dual World Aerobic Championship Winner,
International Medalist More Than 25 Times
Over, World-Class Presenter, Entrepreneur
Extraordinaire, and Film Producer. Does
Marcus have any other tricks up his sleeve?
International Medalist More Than 25 Times
Over, World-Class Presenter, Entrepreneur
Extraordinaire, and Film Producer. Does
Marcus have any other tricks up his sleeve?
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