Mark Smith was dedicated to his military career. He spent 10 years with the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, on operations in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, and also served in Kenya, Canada, the Falklands and Jamaica. It was a role he was made for, writes Sammy Jones.
But while he was training to deploy back to Afghanistan, during a live firing training exercise in Canada, Mark was shot several times through a temporary, wooden compound wall.
The wounds he received that day resulted in the loss of his right leg and part of his shoulder, and he has since endured 26 operations.
Mark had to start from scratch, learning how to walk and run again.
It would be an incredibly traumatic turn for anyone, but it was the thought of having to give up on his career which affected Mark, a Lance Sergeant, the most.
“I was more devastated that my injuries would signal the end of my military career,” he admits, “I had friends who had lost legs on operational tours, and had then gone on to do great things, so the loss of the leg wasn't the thing that upset me the most at the time.
“I had only ever wanted to be a soldier, so I didn't know what would be next for me.”
Mark refused to become a victim, and was undoubtedly spurred on by his recovery environment.
“I was just happy I was still alive, as I was fully aware that I shouldn't be, given the bullets hit my femoral artery. In hospital, I was on a military ward, so I was surrounded by men in similar or worse situations than myself, and all were positive, and that was infectious,” he remembers.
That's not to say that there weren't bad times, because absolutely there were.
“The most difficult part came a few years later. It took me a long time to come to terms with no longer serving and I suffered with depression, as I felt I had lost my purpose,” he admits, “Pain in the leg has caused problems on and off, which can be draining when it affects my independence, but without doubt, wanting to lead by example and be a good role model for my children and for them not to see me full of self pity is what has always picked me up.”
Mark needed something that would challenge him, physically and mentally, and bodybuilding entered the equation.
“I craved adrenaline rushes, and wanting to make the most of still being alive, and I wanted to prove that plenty can still be achieved despite missing a leg.
“Bodybuilding was a chance to stand on stage with my prosthetic leg on show, and be critiqued.”
Mark admits to a long-held admiration for Arnold Schwarzenegger, so the chance to follow in his footsteps somewhat, was a buzz in itself. Even if he wouldn't be a champion, it would be a dream realised.
“It was about being judged for what I had left and not what I had missing,” he explains, “It was the other end of the scale from where I was physically when I was in the hospital. To step up on stage seemed like the ultimate way to grow in confidence, and rediscover the rush I was seeking.”
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But determined Mark wanted to do more than merely compete. He wanted to own the stage. And that's exactly what he did. He has spent four years competing in Disabled Strongman; pulling trucks, lifting atlas stones and deadlifting cars. Things that most of us can't even comprehend!
“...all things that many people wouldn't associate a one-legged person with being capable of,” he agrees, “...and that was the appeal. I loved Strongman on the television, so to have the chance to compete myself was too good to turn down.”
In 2016 and 2017, Mark was crowned Britain's Strongest Disabled Man. In 2018, he took the England's Strongest Man title.
It's an incredible story of belief, self-worth and triumphing over adversity. But Mark's story doesn't end there.
Pressing logs wasn't enough for him; Mark's primary sporting passion had always been football.
“I still remember the last time I played football before the accident, and had I known that would be my last, I never would have stopped,” he says.
But amputee football has given him back his sporting prowess.
“I can play every game like it's my last, and after all these years of different challenges, I'm finally 1000% happy with no longer serving, but loving being able to play football.”
Today, Mark puts the boot in, playing for Peterborough United and Arsenal. What's that feel like?
“It seems surreal to step out onto a pitch and be playing for teams like Manchester City and Everton...there is such an array of young, talented amputee footballers in England, that I find myself in moments of amazement at what some people can do with a football on a pair of crutches!
“Away from the pitch, the best part without doubt has been to feel welcomed and part of a team again.”
Having conquered all in the sporting world, Mark's latest challenge has involved not picking up anything as physically challenging as an atlas stone, but rather a pen. He has taken the opportunity presented by lockdown to tell his incredible story. The challenges of revisiting some difficult past times has presented different issues.
“I have tried to highlight all my happy times in the forces, and to talk with fondness in all I've done, but I also wanted to be open and honest throughout, and some chapters were harder to write than others. Now that it's done and will be available for everyone to read, it's nerve wracking to know that my private life is there in print for anyone to know.”
The book should make it to print in September, but there will be no down time for Mark. He's already onto the next thing.
“I want to achieve as much as I can, while I am healthy enough to do so,” he says, “Next for me is taking part in the Milton Keynes Marathon 5km race in crutches.”
But Mark will ramp it up a little – carrying 15kg of weight on his back!
“In 2021, it will be 10 years since I lost my leg, and on the anniversary I aim to climb Snowdon and to take part in the 10km race in the Milton Keynes marathon.”
Mark might have finished his book, but this inspirational man is already embarking on the next chapter of his incredible story.
Follow him on FB @Marksmithamputeefootballer
