Mark Nelson – Champion of Health

Thursday, March 5, 2015

When academic counselor Mark Nelson walks into a room, people pay attention. Between his charismatic personality, positive energy and fervor for wellness, Nelson has captured the attention of the Department of Wellness as a champion of health.  

Last fall, Nelson signed up for the Cowboy Challenge, a ten-week program combining three teams of eight focused on the journey to a healthier lifestyle. 

“After losing a large amount of weight on my own, I wanted to partake in a program that would push me further and challenge me to be the best I could be physically,” Nelson said. “When a good friend and colleague of mine encouraged me to sign up for the Cowboy Challenge, I took the initiative.”   

Over the course the program, Nelson attended pre- and post-program health fitness assessments, nutrition guidance and training sessions with a personal trainer.

Nelson was particularly fond of the program’s nutrition aspect. After a consultation with a registered dietician, attending group nutrition meetings, sampling meal plans and recipes and recording and submitting weekly food journals, he saw nutrition in a whole new way.  

“I am much more aware of where, how, what and why I eat,” he said. “I like knowing exactly what I need to fuel my body.” 

Not only did he change his eating habits, but Nelson substancially improved upon his physical activity as well. Nelson met with a personal trainer multiple times a week who trained him to run faster, lift heavier, and work harder.

“I definitely have more confidence in the gym now,” he said. “I hated running before, now I’ve ran two 5K’s, a 10K and am currently training for the OKC Memorial Marathon!” 

However, Nelson was noticed not just for his nutritional and physical successes, but also for his team-centered attitude, genuine desire to see others succeed and for his gratitude.

“I had a ball with everyone in the challenge and got to know some great people,” he said. “Seeing them succeed – from barely being able to do push-ups on the wall the first week to doing full-blown push-ups on the floor the last week – powerful.” 

Nelson continues to strive for a healthy lifestyle and encourages others to do so as well. He gives this advice to others who want to make a healthy lifestyle change but aren’t sure where to start:

• Set small goals, Rome was not built in a day.
• Be encouraged. Every day, you get better.
• Find a personal motivating factor. (For Nelson, it was his aunt and uncle who died of complications with diabetes.)
• Find a support system.
• Find your “thing.” (For Nelson, it was running.)
• Have FUN!

For information about Oklahoma State University’s wellness programs and services, visit the Department of Wellness website, wellness.okstate.edu.

Story by Tory Dwyer