Marcus Smith
Founder and Director at InnerFight- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Rickson Dsouza
Lots to say here so be patient. This guy... All Heart. I've known Marcus for over 7 years now as a Coach and Founder of Innerfight. Initially he would coach me and an entire class during our CrossFit Workouts. As the years went on and my focus shifted to Endurance and Ultra Running I approached Marcus with the proposition of becoming my Endurance coach to help me tackle running the Marathon Des Sables in 2018. This is a 250km Ultra run across the Sahara Desert. When I approached him he was tasked with getting me to run that distance from my starting point at the time which was a 10km run every 60-90 days. I'm glad to say he got me through the Marathon Des Sables 2 years consecutively with methodical training, constantly inspiring me(sometimes unknowingly), managing and teaching me about grit, nutrition, and everything running. The program he put me through for 2 years was a game changer for me. Since then I've seen Marcus and his merry band of athletes take on so many more ultra running challenges. This man constantly inspire, motivates and drives people to live their best life and live it now. If you're looking for an Ultra Running coach who has done it all or a Speaker for your organization who can drive from his own life challenging situations and experiences, then Marcus is your guy.
Osmat El Mourad
Anyone who knows Marcus, knows his motto "Show No Weakness". Meeting Marcus has made the person and salesman I am today. He taught me how to be fearless and follow my dreams. Marcus believes that you can achieve anything you set your mind to if you work hard for it. He brings a lot of fresh ideas and healthy competition to the table. He is a serious go-getter and a strong assertive leader. He has passion and vision. Innovative, out of the box thinker, and adaptable. Marcus can lead any team towards success with flying colors.
Benjamin Brodrick
I have known Marcus for a decade here in Dubai. Having worked with Marcus, trained and been guided & coached through various fitness goals I have never come across anyone who comes close to his ability, knowledge, passion or authenticity. Marcus is a true inspiration to many people of the community from all walk of life & of all levels of fitness. He has a rare ability to get the best out of people and much more than they personally think is possible. His belief in people and his systems truly has enabled me to smash many goals resulting not just in a better fitness level but also transcends into my professional life. If the wider community of Dubai is asked about who is the leader in motivational speaking, fitness, coaching and where can I become the best version of me... you will always be directed to Innerfight & Marcus Smith.
Rickson Dsouza
Lots to say here so be patient. This guy... All Heart. I've known Marcus for over 7 years now as a Coach and Founder of Innerfight. Initially he would coach me and an entire class during our CrossFit Workouts. As the years went on and my focus shifted to Endurance and Ultra Running I approached Marcus with the proposition of becoming my Endurance coach to help me tackle running the Marathon Des Sables in 2018. This is a 250km Ultra run across the Sahara Desert. When I approached him he was tasked with getting me to run that distance from my starting point at the time which was a 10km run every 60-90 days. I'm glad to say he got me through the Marathon Des Sables 2 years consecutively with methodical training, constantly inspiring me(sometimes unknowingly), managing and teaching me about grit, nutrition, and everything running. The program he put me through for 2 years was a game changer for me. Since then I've seen Marcus and his merry band of athletes take on so many more ultra running challenges. This man constantly inspire, motivates and drives people to live their best life and live it now. If you're looking for an Ultra Running coach who has done it all or a Speaker for your organization who can drive from his own life challenging situations and experiences, then Marcus is your guy.
Osmat El Mourad
Anyone who knows Marcus, knows his motto "Show No Weakness". Meeting Marcus has made the person and salesman I am today. He taught me how to be fearless and follow my dreams. Marcus believes that you can achieve anything you set your mind to if you work hard for it. He brings a lot of fresh ideas and healthy competition to the table. He is a serious go-getter and a strong assertive leader. He has passion and vision. Innovative, out of the box thinker, and adaptable. Marcus can lead any team towards success with flying colors.
Benjamin Brodrick
I have known Marcus for a decade here in Dubai. Having worked with Marcus, trained and been guided & coached through various fitness goals I have never come across anyone who comes close to his ability, knowledge, passion or authenticity. Marcus is a true inspiration to many people of the community from all walk of life & of all levels of fitness. He has a rare ability to get the best out of people and much more than they personally think is possible. His belief in people and his systems truly has enabled me to smash many goals resulting not just in a better fitness level but also transcends into my professional life. If the wider community of Dubai is asked about who is the leader in motivational speaking, fitness, coaching and where can I become the best version of me... you will always be directed to Innerfight & Marcus Smith.
Rickson Dsouza
Lots to say here so be patient. This guy... All Heart. I've known Marcus for over 7 years now as a Coach and Founder of Innerfight. Initially he would coach me and an entire class during our CrossFit Workouts. As the years went on and my focus shifted to Endurance and Ultra Running I approached Marcus with the proposition of becoming my Endurance coach to help me tackle running the Marathon Des Sables in 2018. This is a 250km Ultra run across the Sahara Desert. When I approached him he was tasked with getting me to run that distance from my starting point at the time which was a 10km run every 60-90 days. I'm glad to say he got me through the Marathon Des Sables 2 years consecutively with methodical training, constantly inspiring me(sometimes unknowingly), managing and teaching me about grit, nutrition, and everything running. The program he put me through for 2 years was a game changer for me. Since then I've seen Marcus and his merry band of athletes take on so many more ultra running challenges. This man constantly inspire, motivates and drives people to live their best life and live it now. If you're looking for an Ultra Running coach who has done it all or a Speaker for your organization who can drive from his own life challenging situations and experiences, then Marcus is your guy.
Osmat El Mourad
Anyone who knows Marcus, knows his motto "Show No Weakness". Meeting Marcus has made the person and salesman I am today. He taught me how to be fearless and follow my dreams. Marcus believes that you can achieve anything you set your mind to if you work hard for it. He brings a lot of fresh ideas and healthy competition to the table. He is a serious go-getter and a strong assertive leader. He has passion and vision. Innovative, out of the box thinker, and adaptable. Marcus can lead any team towards success with flying colors.
Benjamin Brodrick
I have known Marcus for a decade here in Dubai. Having worked with Marcus, trained and been guided & coached through various fitness goals I have never come across anyone who comes close to his ability, knowledge, passion or authenticity. Marcus is a true inspiration to many people of the community from all walk of life & of all levels of fitness. He has a rare ability to get the best out of people and much more than they personally think is possible. His belief in people and his systems truly has enabled me to smash many goals resulting not just in a better fitness level but also transcends into my professional life. If the wider community of Dubai is asked about who is the leader in motivational speaking, fitness, coaching and where can I become the best version of me... you will always be directed to Innerfight & Marcus Smith.
Rickson Dsouza
Lots to say here so be patient. This guy... All Heart. I've known Marcus for over 7 years now as a Coach and Founder of Innerfight. Initially he would coach me and an entire class during our CrossFit Workouts. As the years went on and my focus shifted to Endurance and Ultra Running I approached Marcus with the proposition of becoming my Endurance coach to help me tackle running the Marathon Des Sables in 2018. This is a 250km Ultra run across the Sahara Desert. When I approached him he was tasked with getting me to run that distance from my starting point at the time which was a 10km run every 60-90 days. I'm glad to say he got me through the Marathon Des Sables 2 years consecutively with methodical training, constantly inspiring me(sometimes unknowingly), managing and teaching me about grit, nutrition, and everything running. The program he put me through for 2 years was a game changer for me. Since then I've seen Marcus and his merry band of athletes take on so many more ultra running challenges. This man constantly inspire, motivates and drives people to live their best life and live it now. If you're looking for an Ultra Running coach who has done it all or a Speaker for your organization who can drive from his own life challenging situations and experiences, then Marcus is your guy.
Osmat El Mourad
Anyone who knows Marcus, knows his motto "Show No Weakness". Meeting Marcus has made the person and salesman I am today. He taught me how to be fearless and follow my dreams. Marcus believes that you can achieve anything you set your mind to if you work hard for it. He brings a lot of fresh ideas and healthy competition to the table. He is a serious go-getter and a strong assertive leader. He has passion and vision. Innovative, out of the box thinker, and adaptable. Marcus can lead any team towards success with flying colors.
Benjamin Brodrick
I have known Marcus for a decade here in Dubai. Having worked with Marcus, trained and been guided & coached through various fitness goals I have never come across anyone who comes close to his ability, knowledge, passion or authenticity. Marcus is a true inspiration to many people of the community from all walk of life & of all levels of fitness. He has a rare ability to get the best out of people and much more than they personally think is possible. His belief in people and his systems truly has enabled me to smash many goals resulting not just in a better fitness level but also transcends into my professional life. If the wider community of Dubai is asked about who is the leader in motivational speaking, fitness, coaching and where can I become the best version of me... you will always be directed to Innerfight & Marcus Smith.
Credentials
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Degree
University
Experience
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InnerFight
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United Arab Emirates
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Health, Wellness & Fitness
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1 - 100 Employee
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Founder and Director
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Jan 2007 - Present
Founded in 2008, InnerFight is an international health and performance company based in Dubai. Delivering increased human performance, we offer group strength and conditioning classes, corporate motivation sessions, personal performance coaching and one-off endurance programs. We’re not just for the pros; we train those at all levels of fitness – whether you’re entering an Ironman or want to run one mile without stopping. And we train hard. We will make you better at life. Whoever you are. All we ask is that you SHOW NO WEAKNESS.The brainchild of one of the fittest men in Asia, InnerFight is also the home of the 29th fittest man in the world. Yet we’re also the gym of choice for many that have never exercised before, as well as children as young as five years old. And every single person that calls our 5,000 square foot sports facility home is an epic human being. We’re all just normal people doing normal things, abnormally well.For more information, head to www.innerfight.com where you’ll find our Daily and Red Zone Workouts, as well as paleo recipe inspiration, training plans and podcasts, too.
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mjdsmith.com
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Jan 2016 - Present
Marcus Smith is an entrepreneur, motivational speaker and international athlete. With a clear vision of building brands that improve people’s lives through health, culture and environment, he has developed and established three successful businesses, including international performance company, InnerFight; Paleo food provider, Smith St Paleo; and culture and environment marketing agency, Dominate. With a competitive sporting background, Marcus played professional rugby from the age of 18, with a major highlight being his participation in the 2009 IRB Rugby Sevens World Cup. Retiring from the game in 2010, he remains highly active and now competes in CrossFit, as well as numerous extreme endurance events and challenges.Marcus believes that developing mental strength through physical challenges is one of the keys to a successful life and has multiple marathons and ultramarathons to his name, including the “toughest footrace on earth”, the Marathon Des Sables, which saw him run 250km self-supported across the Sahara desert in 2015. With a firm belief that human connection to brands lays within the culture and environment they create, he has taken this concept forward from his marketing agency, Dominate, to the other companies in his expanding portfolio, InnerFight and Smith St. Paleo.Prior to establishing his first business InnerFight, Marcus spent 10 years in the sporting goods industry, with over five years as a sales director at market leader, Adidas.
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Partner
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Nov 2015 - Present
Smith St Paleo is a food business established in 2015 and based in Dubai.“It is my dream that people will be able to continue to have a love affair with food that does not harm them. Through my recipes and products I hope to provide people with solutions that taste great and enable their bodies and minds to function optimally leading to a fun and fulfilling life”Holly Smith - Founder Smith St Paleo is a food business established in 2015 and based in Dubai.“It is my dream that people will be able to continue to have a love affair with food that does not harm them. Through my recipes and products I hope to provide people with solutions that taste great and enable their bodies and minds to function optimally leading to a fun and fulfilling life”Holly Smith - Founder
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Head of Wholesale
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Nov 2010 - Nov 2011
Handle the entire Wholesale arm of the regions biggest sports company across the GCC. (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman)Brands include Nike, Timeberland, Columbia, Under Armour, Arena, Dunlop, Bobolat, Vans Handle the entire Wholesale arm of the regions biggest sports company across the GCC. (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman)Brands include Nike, Timeberland, Columbia, Under Armour, Arena, Dunlop, Bobolat, Vans
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Head of Key Accounts
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Apr 2008 - Oct 2010
Responsible for the sales, growth and relationship management of European and Local Key Accounts across the Middle East. The role includes managing Key Account Managers and extensive travel through out the region as well as to Europe for strategic account meetings. A main focus has been on Key Account Excellence rolling out initiatives such as Strategic Account Plans, Retail Space Management, Customer Segmentation and Account Fact books in order to strengthen relationships with customers and develop sales. 2008 saw YOY growth of 28% with 17% expected for 2009.
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Key Account Sales Manager
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Oct 2005 - Apr 2008
adidas Emerging Markets, DubaiSet up 3 adidas franchise stores in Bahrain and 3 in Kuwait. Growth across the client base was 30% year on year. This has been achieved by dedication to retail space management and brand presentation as well as maintaining focus on sell out. Working closely with these key clients from sell in to following sell out and analysing sales data has been and integral part of the success.
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Export Sales Manager
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Sep 2004 - Sep 2005
Kenya, Nigeria. Large concentration on Reeboks second largest regional market Saudi Arabia, resulting in a 32% sales increase in 2005, by focusing on improved retail brand presentation as well as extensive PR and BTL penetration. Launched Reebok Fitness Equipment across the GCC.May 2003 - September 2004 Professional Rugby PlayerPlaying two seasons for Gold Coast Breakers in Australia (Spending a lot of time working on grass roots development and promoting rugby across Queensland) and one season for Otley Rugby Club in the UK. Offered a contract for Australian Rugby Union Sevens.
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Rugby Player
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France
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Retail
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Professional Rugby Player
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May 2003 - Sep 2004
Professional Rugby Player Playing two seasons for Gold Coast Breakers in Australia (Spending a lot of time working on grass roots development and promoting rugby across Queensland) and one season for Otley Rugby Club in the UK. Offered a contract for Australian Rugby Union Sevens.; Territorial Account Manager (GCC): Responsibilities include establishment and maintenance of sales organisations throughout the Middle East, including regular market visits to increase sales, enhance relationships and build the brands and business within the respective markets. Launched Umbro in Saudi Arabia exceeding the first season budget by 125%. Increased sales by 28% across all brands and markets. Primary products included Speedo, Umbro, New Balance and Rockport, retailing
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RSH LLC
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United States
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Account Manager
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May 2002 - May 2003
DubaiResponsible for establishment and maintenance of sales channels throughout the Middle East, including regular market visits to increase sales, enhance relationships and build the brands and business within the respective markets. Launched Umbro in Saudi Arabia. Increased sales by 28% across all brands and markets. Primary products included Speedo, Umbro, New Balance and Rockport, retailing DubaiResponsible for establishment and maintenance of sales channels throughout the Middle East, including regular market visits to increase sales, enhance relationships and build the brands and business within the respective markets. Launched Umbro in Saudi Arabia. Increased sales by 28% across all brands and markets. Primary products included Speedo, Umbro, New Balance and Rockport, retailing
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Sports Marketing Manager
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Oct 2000 - May 2002
Managed total Sports Marketing function, representation and budgeting for Oakley across the Middle East. Worked with prominent Oakley sponsored athletes such as Olympic Trap Shooting Gold Medallist Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, from contract negotiations to product development and ensuring return on investment. Large concentration on grass roots product placement and creation of positive PR as well as involvement in outdoor events such as triathlon and motocross, both key markets for Oakley. Managed total Sports Marketing function, representation and budgeting for Oakley across the Middle East. Worked with prominent Oakley sponsored athletes such as Olympic Trap Shooting Gold Medallist Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, from contract negotiations to product development and ensuring return on investment. Large concentration on grass roots product placement and creation of positive PR as well as involvement in outdoor events such as triathlon and motocross, both key markets for Oakley.
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Education
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1997 - 2000
Leeds Beckett University
BA (Hons), Sport and Leisure Management; Sports Marketing -
1992 - 1997
Worksop College
A-Levels gained; GCSE's, Business Studies; French and General Studies
Community
