“I’ve been dealing with rage and depression from some PTSD alongside a chronic pelvic pain condition which robbed me from the life I loved the most… Mentally I have crawled out of the apathetic hole and am seeing the light of life again, feeling less imprisoned by my pain, less robbed by it and more empowered by the belief that I can make changes to create relief and a life beyond what I believed it was.
One of the first things I asked Mark we when met was, “where do you put all of your rage”. It was a question I had needed an answer to for myself for a long time. Let me explain.
You see, I am a very difficult person to coach because I overanalyze every move made and word said. Alongside that, I do my very best to people please and be the A+ client. Do you know the people who try to win at therapy? Yeah, that’s me. I want to be your number one client and make sure I make the other person happy.
If I could use two words to describe Mark it would be “embodied neutrality”. He has an incredible ability to sit in the darkness beside you without making you feel guilty or wrong for being there as well as giving you a sense of peace that he’s not going to walk away from you just because you’re there, at the bottom in the dark.
He once told me that it doesn’t matter that I’m at rock bottom, he’s gonna sit with me there until I’m ready to move.
That neutrality and the ability to create space for me to be ok with things I previously perceived as negative, has given me the ability to navigate my more difficult days with more peace, grace, and capability.
I’ve been dealing with rage and depression from some PTSD alongside a chronic pelvic pain condition that robbed me of the life I loved the most. I began coaching with mark because I asked him, “what tools do you give a client when they are so apathetic toward life that they don’t want to do this anymore” not like suicidal but just numb”. That client was me, hello trying to be the A+ I’m a great client before we even started lol. However, as Mark does, he showed up for me and keeps doing so even when I make up excuses because I’m scared to show up for myself.
During my time working with Mark I’ve been able to have more low-pain days than ever before, we’ve strengthened and activated my glutes, changed some movement patterns, supported more sound structural integrity, and woke some muscles up that had been long asleep and were adding to my pain. He’s taught me to put a purpose to my anger and that it’s ok to feel it, let it out, and give it a job. He has guided me through moving from my center and I now know how to generate more power from there. Mentally I have crawled out of the apathetic hole and am seeing the light of life again, feeling less imprisoned by my pain, less robbed by it, and more empowered by the belief that I can make changes to create relief and a life beyond what I believed it was.
Mark has enough wisdom, experience, and knowledge that he should have an honorary degree in four or more areas of expertise.
If you’re feeling stuck, have been given up on before by yourself or by others, and need someone to see the things almost everyone else either misses or doesn’t know about. Mark is your coach.
Kristina H
“I have a much deeper understanding of my body as a system, not just a series of pain points to be managed. I'm able to run again (which I thought wouldn't ever happen without pain,) and I'm excited to explore more ways my body can experience the world given my new strength.
After three months of working with Mark I have diligence and purpose to my workouts that I've never had before. Initially I was working with him remotely to help with some pain issues, but the progress I've experienced goes beyond the alleviation of discomfort. My pain problems are on the road to healing and are much improved -- better yet, I have an idea of why and how given his targeted workouts and explanations. I have a much deeper understanding of my body as a system, not just a series of pain points to be managed. I'm able to run again (which I thought wouldn't ever happen without pain,) and I'm excited to explore more ways my body can experience the world given my new strength. I am thrilled to be continuing our work together -- I never thought physical work like this could work so well remotely, but then again I never knew Mark!
Kristen LS
“Before I started working with Mark, I was hesitant to hire a virtual coach for all the usual reasons: it was new to me, I didn’t understand the logistics, and would I really get the support I needed without a physical body beside me? Within the first week of interactions, I was a meme asking him to just shut up and take my money.
I came to Mark frustrated with my body and the medical care it had received. I’d had debilitating knee and hip pain for so long that it had become a part of my identity. I’d accepted my limitations, and was simply hoping for a trainer who could help me work around them. Enter Mark: the supportive, intelligent, grounding force we’re all lacking whether we know it or not.
In our time together, I transformed in ways I wouldn’t have believed if I had read them off a website. I not only squatted without pain for the first time in years, but through Mark’s creative programming, I got the strongest I’d ever been by a long shot. Mark understands the biopsychosocial model of wellness, and knows that to be coached well means more than having an extensive knowledge of biomechanics (though he does) and an endless array of exercise progressions (which again, he’s got for ya).
Mark is nonjudgmental, he truly hears you and cares about you as a whole person, and I cannot recommend him enough as a coach.”
Alyssa N
“Mark's creativity and tremendous knowledge have been instrumental in helping me maintain and build strength while working through some old injuries. His attentiveness and proficiency at explaining new movements make his online coaching seem ‘in-person’. Mark truly cares about his coaching clients and it shows.”
Gil G
“There is no ego with Mark, and I never felt like I had something to prove to him. He is the best there is.
I started working with Mark when I was attempting to train for a marathon. All signs pointed to the fact that I should not be running it, but Mark was able to not only help me recover from a running-related injury, he was also able to help set up a program to help rebuild the strength that was lost somewhere after having a hundred babies (4). His knowledge is endless. I looked forward to our sessions; somehow I left each time feeling more capable and confident in myself and what I was able to accomplish. He checks in on a regular basis, which is something I need. It was clear that he didn’t have a ‘one workout fits all’ kind of mentality. He catered every exercise, every workout, and every text message to what and how I was feeling.”
Alyssa K
“I’ve worked with coaches before, but none have approached coaching like Mark.
I was used to being asked for a big picture goal and then the coach would write a program that was goal specific, but fairly generic. Mark asks more questions, many more. It feels like a partnership and the programming is tailored to my personality, my goals, and my body’s need for movement.
When I first started coaching with Mark it was a fairly pivotal time for me. I’d always lifted, played sports, and been very active. What I brought to Mark was a body that felt pretty broken after two sports injuries, back and shoulder surgery a month apart, and pain that I could not resolve. Mark coached me through recovery, out of pain, and has me stronger than I was before my injuries. With his coaching, I competed in my first powerlifting meet and trained for firefighter fitness testing. I also get to play hard without hurting.
I’m consistently amazed at how attuned he is to what I need from a program. I’m seven weeks into my most recent program and it is interesting, challenging, and I feel like I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of its potential. It’s like programming and coaching from a giant, walking brain - intuitive and probing questions, brilliant programming, insightful and effective feedback, more questions, and a catalyst for growth.
Cyndi J
“Mark is gifted, creative, unconventional, and provides a true interactive coaching experience.
I reached out to Mark at a time that I was super unmotivated to write my own programming and train at all. I was interested in learning a little bit of biofeedback and improving my conditioning as well as my strength. I've dislocated my right shoulder four times and have always been nervous trying new things and trying to get heavy weight overhead. Mark has been nothing short of amazing. In the past year I have improved on all of my lifts but more importantly my confidence is up and I am even back to rock climbing. Mark has a unique ability to see movement and meet you exactly where you are with the exact regression or progression that will help you. His coaching has helped me improve my own coaching abilities and I can see it in the way my own clients move and have continued progressing as well.”
Maria B
“I could go on and on about what a great coach Mark is, about how he can help people achieve any goal they’re willing to work toward, make them the strongest they’ve ever been, help them overcome physical injury and pain, and so on. But Mark does more than that. He helps people find their strength, in the gym and beyond. He helps people grow as humans. I’m a better person for knowing him. We all are.
Mark is a magician. When I first joined The Movement Minneapolis in 2013, this is how other coaches and members described Mark Schneider. The subtext being, “Mark understands the body and psyche better than most, and whatever lofty goals you may have, he’s the man to help.” At the time, I didn’t have lofty goals — I just wanted to work out and make some friends.
But life happens: I slipped on ice and injured my back. I suffered a “minor” but relentless concussion that disrupted my hormones, my grip, my gait, my vision, and my energy. I was tired and I was in pain, and all I wanted to do was get back to lifting — to get back to life.
Mark was endlessly patient and stood by my side throughout my recovery, which took two years. He devised and adapted custom programs and concocted bizarre exercises to help me keep moving around the pain and through the pain, until I was out of it.
He led me to PR my squat, deadlift, bench press, and half-marathon; helped me train in Strongman, Powerlifting, and flying trapeze; supported me in achieving my RKC kettlebell certification; guided me in training for big hikes, including Peru’s challenging Salkantay Trail in the Andes and the 27-mile “Grand Traverse” on Minnesota’s Superior Hiking Trail.
Meanwhile, because of his background in integrative clinical work, he was able to support me as I sought medical help for my concussion, which was a mystery for some time. Mark served as my advocate as I went from doctor to doctor, and ultimately he found the functional neurologist who diagnosed and treated me.
Mark has been my trainer and friend for five years, and I still think back to the original introduction his peers and clients gave him. And you know what? Mark is not a magician — to describe his work as magic is both hyperbolic and an understatement. Mark is outstandingly intelligent, attentive, thoughtful, and caring.
Maggie F
“Mark is thoughtful and attentive to my goals, clearly putting in a great deal of thought about what might work best for me and my body. In particular, he’s very purposeful to keep programming balanced which has allowed me push myself without having any type of injury or strain in over a year. He’s also been very effective at choosing exercises that increase strength while also addressing some range of motion limitation I’ve wanted to improve as well.”
Joe M
“Mark is incredible to work with and I highly recommend him for injury recovery and custom strength programming.
I have been working with Mark for strength programming and injury rehabilitation for over 3 years. As a competitive powerlifter, minor injuries can be a common issue. Mark has helped me recover from these injuries and most importantly, strengthen the key muscles to prevent them from happening again.
A couple years ago, during a powerlifitng competition, I suffered from a herniated disc that was hitting my sciatic nerve. The injury was so painful that I struggled to do basic things like sit, walk, stand, and sometimes it even hurt to breathe. Through body work and strengthening exercises with Mark, I was able to avoid back injections and surgery. Because of Mark's commitment to his clients and their health, I was able to compete a year later even stronger than before my injury.
Bonnie r
“When you are connected with Mark –as he told me long ago–you become one of his people. You will leave each interaction with Mark better than when you came in. If you're interested in getting stronger and working with a high-level coach who keeps your strength, confidence, and mindset at the forefront of everything else, I can't recommend him highly enough.
As a long-time personal trainer and powerlifting coach, I thought I knew how my body worked in relation to lifting weights pretty well -- until I started working with Mark. His eye for finely tweaking movements to better suit the individual is unparalleled, and I could feel my muscles working better and more strongly together immediately, after just one coaching cue from Mark. Where for some trainers it may take a few tries before finding the right cue that sticks with the trainee, Mark always has the right words, on the first go, improving form and confidence wherever he goes with the simple drop of a sentence. And it wasn't this way just for me, it's a talent I've seen repeated hundreds of times with my fellow members at The Movement Minneapolis (and we're all better lifters, and stronger humans, for it).
Jennifer b
“Working with Mark, I have always felt that I had both a private coach and a therapist all in one. He treats the whole person, which is rare.
Mark was instrumental in helping me have two very healthy pregnancies. He was thoughtful in his programming to ensure that I was keeping baby safe, but at the same time that I was maintaining my strength and working on developing areas of the body that would be needed for birth and beyond. In addition to helping me physically, Mark also made sure he checked in with me on how I was doing emotionally.
MACA M
“Over time, however, I’ve been amazed at the progress I have made, not only in the gym, but the freedom and confidence of movement I have recovered in daily life.
I connected with Mark a few months after relocating from New York City to Minneapolis. One ankle repair surgery and two knee surgeries had left me able to do routine activities, but I missed the me that could do more active sports and hike rough terrain. Doctors and physical therapists were very happy with my outcome, but I wasn’t.
When I met Mark I was impressed with his careful observation of my body mechanics and a strong idea of what it would take to reach my physical goals. We started so slow that I wasn’t sure I was really working out. Over time, however, I’ve been amazed at the progress I have made, not only in the gym, but the freedom and confidence of movement I have recovered in daily life. Thanks Mark!
Jeffrey S
“My goals when I started with Mark were twofold: 1. To learn about strength training - terminology, form, movements 2. To learn about my body.
I was 42 years old when Mark became my strength training coach. When I first met him, I felt as if I was an expert at cardio workouts -classes and equipment but not when it came to strength training. I always avoided the weight section of the gym. Confidence and lack of knowledge stopped me.
My goals when I started with Mark were twofold: 1. To learn about strength training - terminology, form, movements 2. To learn about my body. Both goals I felt would help build the confidence I needed and wanted.
Mark is by far one of the best coaches I have ever had. He is patient and attentive to detail. He is very knowledgeable of the body and strength training. His workouts are creative and purposeful. He takes the time to explain the movements, the benefits of the movements and is always willing to make modifications if needed. He does all of this without arrogance and judgement. He is respectful and overall a very kind person. I feel fortunate that our paths have crossed and have benefited greatly both physically and mentally by having him as my coach.
Ann R
“With his help, I found a way to apply this to other aspects of my life and practice mindfulness in areas in which I was simply going through the motions. It has changed everything for me.
Mark is by far one of the best coaches I have ever had. He is patient and attentive to detail. He is very knowledgeable of the body and strength training. His workouts are creative and purposeful. He takes the time to explain the movements, the benefits of the movements and is always willing to make modifications if needed. He does all of this without arrogance and judgement. He is respectful and overall a very kind person. I feel fortunate that our paths have crossed and have benefited greatly both physically and mentally by having him as my coach.
The biggest takeaway from working with Mark over the last 5+ years is that he taught me how to pay attention. Through LIVIT, I learned how to listen to my body as it relates to food and nutrition, and through personal training / coaching with Mark, I learned how to listen to my body as it relates to exercising and movement. With his help, I found a way to apply this to other aspects of my life and practice mindfulness in areas in which I was simply going through the motions. It has changed everything for me. As a coach, Mark will meet me wherever I'm at physically and emotionally and will listen to my goals and concerns without any hint of judgment. He will always find a way to accommodate those goals and concerns in a way that will make me feel comfortable, capable and safe. He is an incredibly respectful, considerate coach and he always makes me feel seen and heard.
Becca h
When I first started working with Mark I was struck by how much he cares. He takes the time to understand your goals and how he can assist in helping you achieve them. Mark coaches with a quiet confidence and steadiness that is always sharply focused on the goals. He is there when you need him. By the end of the first month I could feel progress. That progress has continued month after month. Mark is a constant learner who keeps himself up-to-date on new techniques, and, most importantly, the rationale behind them.
Chuck k
“With his help (and his quiet, sneaky way of getting you to do more than you thought possible) I have been able to keep my body major-injury free and become a pretty good powerlifter in the process.
I began working out at a gym Mark worked at because I had had surgery to repair a torn meniscus and wanted to get back into strength training smartly and had read about his rehab work on a blog I was following. Having a trainer experienced in rehab work meant that there would be an emphasis on technique and form which is exactly what I needed. Working with Mark I have learned to listen to my body and ask for help when I need it - especially when my body is asking for something different than I am currently doing. With his help (and his quiet, sneaky way of getting you to do more than you though possible) I have been able to keep my body major-injury free and become a pretty good powerlifter in the process.
The training Mark programs for me takes into consideration my goals and current ability. He adjusts it as necessary and as a (mostly) distance client I am able to send him videos of lifts or questions I have about the programming or life or whatever. If I need something different he will adjust my programming accordingly - though why he programmed 100 walking lunges is still beyond me! In my time training with Mark I have gotten stronger physically and remained major-injury free. I call that pretty good.
Donna A
“While he helped me get stronger, he also helped me address other facets of my life, including sleep, stress, and to my surprise, community (as well as cheering me on through a Physics class I absolutely hated).
I started working with Mark after I'd been lifting for a bit and realized I didn't know what I was doing and needed a guide. Mark's background caught my interest and seemed like a good fit with his knowledge of eating disorders and trauma (sometimes I wonder what he hasn't done in the fitness space). My initial goal at the time was simply to get stronger. In working with Mark, I got more than I bargained for. While he helped me get stronger, he also helped me address other facets of my life, including sleep, stress, and to my surprise, community (as well as cheering me on through a Physics class I absolutely hated). I think his care, patience, and consistency create a safe space where I and others are able to be messy, and that allowed me to find and build friendships I wasn't expecting. On top of that, through a pandemic and all the panic that ensued, Mark gently helped me figure out alternative forms of exercise that managed my stress and kept me moving during a time where everything felt stuck. To my surprise, when I returned to the gym, I came back stronger with deadlift and bench press personal bests. After only working with him for about a year, I have to say I know few people who care quite as much as he does.
Alexis B
I have worked with Mark for 4 years. In that time span, he has helped me learn about my body, how it moves, what I need to focus on, and he has pushed me to reach goals I would have never thought of. He has trained me though powerlifting, small injuries, helped me with nutrition, and general strength training. I love his focus on building a community using his broad skillset. I have met some of my closest friends through the gym. You don't just get general programming with Mark, you get a complete package.
Angie s
“As someone who started with chronic back pain and a weak understanding of how to move in a way that will promote back health, Mark has helped me reduce my back pain greatly.
As someone who started with chronic back pain and a weak understanding of how to move in a way that will promote back health, Mark has helped me reduce my back pain greatly. He accomplished this with his very intuitive understanding of body mechanics; he totally gets how to tweak exercises so that they addressed my specific needs. He also coached me through how I move on an everyday basis, and how those movements are crucial for continued back health. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be doing as well as I am. He's been a life saver.