Air Locker Training partner Mark Hughes shares brain cancer battle
Mark Hughes’ life took a devastating turn in October 2013 when doctors found an avocado-sized cancerous tumor in his brain.
The former NRL player was only 36 and had no family history of the disease – the only clue was side-chapping headaches.
Speaking to FEMAIL, the father of three who spent ten years playing for the Newcastle Knights revealed he was floored by the diagnosis.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think of what was coming – I thought it was a migraine and I was going to get some tablets to get it over with,” said Mark, now 46.
“The doctor was a little concerned and sent me for a scan – from then on all hell broke loose for me and my family.”
Scans found a tumor in Mark’s brain that turned his world upside down. He required both surgery and treatment to deal with the cancer.
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Former NRL player Mark Hughes (right) was diagnosed with ‘high-grade’ brain cancer in 2013
The father of three was completely shocked when scans discovered a tumor growing in his brain. His only symptom was a ‘severe headache’ for two days
“I can’t change my diagnosis, but I can make every day count to improve my health. I don’t focus on the past or the future, only on the present,” he said.
Shortly after the tumor was discovered, it was surgically removed. A week later, Mark was told he had “high grade” brain cancer – and he remembered that the tumor was about the size of a small avocado.
Mark and his wife Kirralee went to the doctor’s appointment together and were both completely devastated by the news.
“It was terrifying — you just don’t see these things coming. It was a terrible time and life changed from then on,” he said.
“It was a complete rollercoaster of emotions and I thought about how I would tell my children, family and friends.
“I never Googled my diagnosis and I wasn’t about to keep kicking rocks and feeling sorry for myself.”
Unfortunately, doctors don’t know the cause of the cancer, which is frustrating for patients.
Mark had surgery to remove the tumor, followed by approximately seven months of treatment
After surgery, Mark received one month of radiation followed by six months of chemotherapy.
“I couldn’t drive a car and didn’t leave the house very often at the time, but surrounded myself with family,” he said.
“From there, I dusted myself off after about a month of soul-searching and went into recovery mode — that’s the sportsman mentality in me.
‘I started swimming and running during the radiation to give myself every chance for better health.’
Fortunately, he had no side effects from the treatment.
And while the treatment worked exceptionally well at attacking the remaining cells of concern, Mark said there is “no cure for brain cancer.”
Since the traumatic ordeal, Mark has had follow-up scans every three months and now has scans every four months.
Today, the now 46-year-old partner for Air Locker Altitude Training and is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives
“I can’t change my diagnosis, but I can focus on improving my health. I don’t focus on the past or the future, only on the present. Make today count by coming to the gym and doing your very best,” he said
After the hurdle of treatment, Mark continued to challenge himself by climbing Mount Kokoda, Mount Everest Base Camp and Mount Kilimanjaro
“For me, you can never stop climbing mountains and challenging yourself,” he said.
In the run-up to a trek up Kilimanjaro, he heard of a new gym opening in Newcastle featuring altitude training – so he rushed to attend a session and crossed paths with Roman Brady, founder of Air Locker Training.
The two immediately connected and after three months of training almost every day, Mark became a partner of the brand and trains there four to six times a week.
“I loved how I felt training at altitude, the team environment and the after effects,” he said.
Air Locker Training’s group workouts lower the oxygen content in the room from about 21 percent to 13 percent, providing a number of benefits.
Participants train at low altitude (1500-2500 above sea level) or at high altitude (3000-5000 above sea level).
Mark said altitude training itself has been around since the 1960s, but only athletes used the hardcore training method. With Air Locker, everyday people can now train at altitude to reap the benefits.
“I see people’s lives changing every day because they get the chance to come in and exercise in an environment they’ve never been to before. It keeps me alive to see the impact we have for the better,” he said.
“Everything I do in my life has meaning – whether it’s through charity or Air Locker – and that’s what’s so special.”
On the exit doors of every Air Locker gym are the words “make it count” – inspired by Mark’s motto that he lives by.
‘I don’t look too much into the future, but many people do and get stuck because of it. But if you come to the gym every day, give it your all, make every rep count and repeat that process, your life will get better,” he said.
“I just live in the now and am thankful for that. I’ve always been strong minded and a bit of an underdog with my sport – even now.’
Mark is on a mission to contribute to solving brain cancer and to raise funds for cancer research under the Mark Hughes Foundation.
If you would like to learn more about the Mark Hughes Foundation, Click here.