Today, we’d like to introduce you to Mark Gamez. Mark was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Emily Bench-Lahrssen.
Mark, can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Hi. My name is Mark Gamez. I am a born and raised Miami Native with an extensive background in Surfing and Skateboarding. I lived in North County San Diego from 1993 – 2004 where I worked in the Action Sports industry doing everything from Surf & Skate photography and Graphic Design.
I returned to Miami Beach in 2004 and in 2006 I opened my first retail brick and mortar store where I owned and operated my business called F1RST Surf Supply Store in until 2018 when I successfully sold the business to my former business partner, Christian De La Iglesia. In the midst of that I married my High School prom date, Maile Rodriguez Gamez who is the Queen of Public Relations in Miami Beach and beyond.
Which brings us to the current day where I have returned to my original passion of Graphic Design work, traveling and surfing while residing in Miami Beach.
Let’s talk about your work and career – what else should we know?
I owned F1RST Surf Supply Co. South Beach’s only core action sports brick and mortar store. The shop was located at South Pointe in the Continuum and was there for 10 years. Christian and I built and decorated the shop from top to bottom down to the last nail. Over the course of the next 10 years, Chris and I built a store that was recognized as the community center of sorts for locals and tourists alike. We built something special indeed.
As you know, we’re big fans of Emily Bench-Lahrssen and Pilathon we know you’ve worked with them quite a bit as well. We’d love to hear about your experience working with Emily Bench-Lahrssen.
I was introduced to Emily and the Pilathon family through two of my good friends Rick Arce and Dr. James Sandaal. Speaking as someone who never took group exercise classes, I can say I was intimidated to attend the class. Emily and the rest of the staff welcomed me in as family since day one and never made me feel like a beginner or as if I wasn’t good enough to be in the classroom. The classes are in groups of six, so you the teachers give you the undivided attention that one would receive at a private class. For example: If you even exhale incorrectly, Emily and the instructors are there to spot and correct you without shaming you over a megaphone. Emily and the other instructors know the body and their students well enough to remember each students’ individual strengths and weaknesses and the classes are intimate enough for them to know each student particular nuance.
I’m 47 years old and have been an avid surfer and skateboard enthusiast my entire life, therefore I am prone to injury. Emily has not only kept me on my board(s) but has even helped me improve on both mediums. She preaches that Pilates is the fountain of youth and she is not lying. I constantly recommend not only Pilates, but Pilathon and Emily specifically.
Instagram: mgamez
Facebook: mgamez
