Posted on January 8, 2025
The Toughest Workout: Personal Trainer’s Recovery Following a Traumatic Brain Injury
Forest Hills Northern and Davenport University hockey alum is inspiring others through his determination and recovery following a traumatic brain injury. After an accident on his one-wheeler, Marc Anderson, a personal trainer at MVP Athletic Club, was fighting for his life.
The 29-year-old sustained a severe traumatic brain injury in September 2024. Anderson underwent multiple brain surgeries, leading to a three-week coma and a month-long stay in the ICU. After he stabilized, Marc transferred to Mary Free Bed to begin his own “personal training” with intensive rehabilitation.
Marc showed incredible strength working tirelessly in his therapies and making remarkable improvements. He’s had amazing community support during this time, including from his immediate family. His older sister, Kaylee has been there for him since day one, even sleeping by his side for over 60 days.
In November, Marc returned home to work on the next stage of his recovery with outpatient therapy four days a week. There he is working on walking balance, going up and down stairs, and his improving his memory.
“It’s a miracle,” Kaylee Wolff said in an interview with WZZM 13. “No one can believe that his progress that he’s made since he’s been here at Mary Free Bed. Everyone’s in awe, and it’s been incredible to watch.”
Despite all this, Marc has kept his smile, and his passion for fitness training. He’s working with his gym, MVP Athletic Clubs, to design and co-lead a Torch exercise class. Thanks to MVP, the class is a fundraiser and 100% of registration costs will be given directly to Marc and his family to help with medical costs.
There will be two classes on Saturday, January 11, at MVP Crahen. More info and how to register at: https://mvpsportsclubs.com/event/marcstrong/
One of the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation team who worked with Marc will also be at the class, Dr. Justin McCarthy, a second-year resident at the hospital. “Certainly pushing yourself will help, but a lot of that is just patience and waiting for your body and your brain to heal,” he recalled about Marc’s on-going therapy in an interview with WOOD TV8.
MEDIA COVERAGE:
WZZM 13 – ‘Always wear a helmet’ | Personal trainer’s message after ‘miracle’ brain injury recovery
WOOD TV8 – Back in the gym: GR trainer recovering from serious brain injury
