Devon Mitchell and his wife, Samantha, co-own an Anytime Fitness in Newark, Delaware. They also serve as personal trainers at their gym, where they crossed paths with Mark and Tanya, two gym members who met, fell in love, and eventually married — but not before a near-fatal incident threatened Mark’s life at the age of 47.
Racing toward “50 before 50”
Mark initially joined Anytime Fitness and started training with Coach Sam with the goal of getting into shape. Tanya notes, “When he did join [Anytime Fitness], he was not a fit guy at all.” Under the guidance of Sam, Mark worked diligently to achieve his fitness goals, which included participating in 50 race events before the age of 50.
Although Devon wasn’t Mark’s coach, he regularly checked in on Mark’s progress to help keep him focused on his goals. According to Sam, “He wanted to get to that next level.”
Mark and Devon initially participated in local 5K races, and Mark was on track to achieve his 50-race goal. “Mark wanted to run a marathon,” says Devon. And run a marathon he did. He and Devon successfully completed the Delaware Marathon.
As Mark’s fitness improved, he and Devon took on more challenges. Together, they participated in global events like the Duathlon World Championship in Spain, representing Team USA.
Mark’s health takes an unexpected turn
However, tragedy struck during Mark’s fourth Ironman race in Augusta, Georgia. In the swimming portion, Mark, then 47, went into cardiac arrest. He was pulled from the water and into a kayak where he received CPR. Emergency medical responders arrived on the scene and tried to restart his heart with an AED, or automated external defibrillator. Mark was quickly brought to the hospital where, for an additional 40 minutes, doctors administered lifesaving measures including shocking his heart six times. It was Mark’s physical fitness that convinced the medical team to continue trying to revive him.
Tanya emphasizes, “When they looked at his body and they looked at his fitness, they figured he could handle it and his body could take it,” referring to the multiple rounds of shocks Mark endured. Mark’s remarkable physical fitness played a crucial role in his recovery.
Despite initial challenges, including the inability to speak, eat, or walk, Mark stayed strong through his time in the hospital and a rehab center, and is now back to working out five days a week at Anytime Fitness, defying expectations. Mark expresses gratitude, saying, “Anytime Fitness takes really good care of me, and Devon is the reason why. He is like my brother.”
Devon, equally appreciative of Mark’s resilience, emphasizes, “It does not matter what’s in front of Mark. Mark is going to persevere and push through and find a way to get better.”
Devon extends his impact to the community
After seeing Mark survive a cardiac arrest and experiencing Mark’s recovery alongside him, Devon was inspired to join the American Heart Association’s Leaders of Impact campaign in Philadelphia. He raised more than $111,000 to support the health equity work of the AHA, which focuses on combatting the social determinants of health that directly impact communities. As a result of his efforts, he was recently named the 2023 National Leaders of Impact™ Winner from the American Heart Association.
Devon recognizes the significance of CPR, stating, “This incident provided a profound understanding of CPR’s importance and potential to make a significant difference in critical situations.”
Reflecting on his role as an Anytime Fitness franchise owner, Devon envisions a broader impact beyond gym walls. “I am not merely a business owner,” he says. “I am a steward of well-being, entrusted with the responsibility to cultivate a positive impact.”
Devon aspires to extend his influence beyond the gym, creating a culture of wellness and empowerment that ripples through the community. For more information about the Leaders of Impact campaign and the American Heart Association’s mission, visit heart.org.
