Mark Lara

Connect What fuels your passion for health and fitness?

My passion for health and fitness is fueled by two things: the people I love and my inner drive. Staying healthy allows me to show up fully for my friends and family with energy, positivity, and longevity, while also inspiring them to value their own wellness. Fitness also feeds my ambition: I love setting goals, pushing my limits, and proving to myself what I’m capable of.

What’s your favorite way to train or stay fit?

I don’t have one single way I train, I like variety. I lift weights to build strength, take high-energy classes like Bunda and Barry’s to switch things up and feed off the atmosphere, and practice CorePower Yoga HPF to reset, sweat, stretch, and calm my mind. I love food and am constantly studying my nutrition and what I put inside my body. Training for me is about being holistic!

What would you do with $20,000?

I’d allocate the $20,000 toward strategic career growth. Having recently transitioned from the 9–5 into entrepreneurship, my focus is on helping scale a protein cereal startup- Man Cereal (the World’s First Cereal with Creatine!), managing a gym and pursuing an MBA. In parallel, I’m running the 2026 Chicago Marathon and hosting charitable fundraisers to support families affected by pediatric cancer with the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation.