Impact Boxing owner and head coach Mark Evans scuffles with another boxer in the centre of his gym.
The hypnotic voice of Freddie Mercury reverberates from a speaker across tall walls of pressed white concrete. It is Mark’s anthem: he will rock you.
Mark and his team of fire-forged boxers have rocked the world. Flags from across the globe line his walls as trophies.
It’s somewhat a surprise that this strongman is behind Better Through Boxing, a project Mark devised to support his community.
He plans to use his gym as a sanctuary for veterans, kids, troubled teens and anyone in the community who needs to punch out their stress.
So, why is this warrior opening his gym up to people who the word ‘discipline’ is foreign to? Because it is just what they need – to belt a bag while a strongman coaches them. It’s like they finally have a father. And a home.
Mark’s early life was a blur. He was born in the Melbourne suburb of Preston and his life was uprooted when his family moved to South Australia. Most of his youth was wasted – he was subjected to the cruelties of a man he calls father only in name.
“My father was probably … not the most law-abiding citizen, so we moved a fair bit,” Mark said.
It didn’t help that his school days were transient. Changing schools meant different crowds, and Mark continually fell in with the wrong crowd.
Mark received a hand of help from the rest of his family though – from his mother in particular – who he described as an angel.
Mark visibly winched when he recalled the battles his mother endured.
Feeling trapped, with emotions boiling into a fierce storm, Mark took his anger out on the world.
“Obviously I rebelled … I was an angry young kid,” Mark said.
Mark felt trapped in limbo. There were no doors and no way out. He was alone.
But life took a positive turn when Mark was assigned a social worker whose words etched into Mark’s memory like a hot iron.
“He sat me down and said: ‘Mark, you’re a great kid. You’ve had some bad cards dealt.’
“He said: ‘But at the moment, you are sitting at the crossroads. If you turn left, you’re going to have nothing left. If you turn right, you’re going to be alright.’ It was a microphone drop.
“I honestly believe that the social worker I was assigned put me on the path of wanting to help others.”
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Despite how damaging Mark’s home life was, it gave him the drive to step up and he helped his mother and family escape when he was 16.
“I was the protector of my family,” he said.
“It was a big job bestowed upon a young kid. Everything I earned I gave straight back to my mum.”
Today, Better Through Boxing is one in a long line of projects designed to support people in need.
The goal of Impact Boxing is always to provide structure and security. It’s fostered by a strong camaraderie at boxing and at the gym. It is a family in all senses of the word.
“It gives people from all walks of life a place where they feel like they belong,” Mark said.
He spoke about a young woman who made it all worthwhile. This young woman had no plans to become a boxer, but she loved the journey and being around the gym community.
“She came up to me the other day and she said: ‘Coach, I just want to thank you.’”
Mark asked her for what.
“She said: ‘Thank you for providing a space where I feel like I can be me and nobody judges.’”
Her comment made Mark’s day – it’s why he opens his gym to those who need it.
Mark’s young life was certainly hard, but he is working hard so others’ lives can be a little easier.
Ryan Maguire is a student at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
