Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamar Smack.
Jamar, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Mar, I am a former NCAA DII basketball player who lost some direction when the game ended but found redirecton when I chose to fight for my myself. There was a time when I was battling depression, childhood trauma, Feeling stuck and disconnected. My therapist told me to start moving again; to start moving again. to train not just my my body, but my mind. also, to do it with purpose, So I did. The early mornings became my therapy. The weights became my voice. As I started fueling my body correctly, positive thoughts followed. My energy came back. My confidence grew. My life was changed forever when I realized that mental health is the foundation of physical health. That’s how I created Mar Than Fitness. a movement to improve wellness as a whole: mind, body, and soul. it takes “mar” than just fitness to stay healthy. I’ve lived what it feels like to lose yourself mentally, and I know the strength it takes to rebuild it.
My mission is to help others do the same; to think better, move better, and feel better, one day at a time.
Fitness changed my life as a whole, and mental fitness gave it purpose.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been an easy journey. I’ve worked through childhood trauma and the weight of past decisions I’m not proud of. I’ve spent time in rehab addressing alcohol use, and I’ve also been through corrections, both of which forced me to confront the reality of where my life was headed if I stayed on that path. Those experiences became a turning point. They showed me clearly what I didn’t want for my future and what my life could become if nothing changed. I’ve come to understand that failure can be one of life’s greatest teachers, and I can say that from experience. A major shift came with the unexpected birth of my son, which gave me a deeper sense of purpose and responsibility. That, combined with therapy, helped me begin rebuilding my life in a healthier direction
As you know, we’re big fans of Mar Than Fitness. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Mar Than Fitness is a personal training and coaching brand built on the belief that lasting change goes far beyond workouts and nutrition—it requires alignment of the mind, body, and lifestyle. I specialize in helping everyday individuals lose weight, build strength, and develop confidence through structured fitness programming combined with mindset coaching and accountability.
What sets my approach apart is the integration of mental fitness with physical training. As a former NCAA Division II basketball player and certified personal trainer, I bring both high-performance athletic experience and real-life understanding of transformation through adversity. My coaching is not just about exercise selection—it’s about helping clients rebuild discipline, self-belief, and consistency in a sustainable way.
I work with beginners through intermediate clients, typically adults who are ready to take control of their health but may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or inconsistent. My programs are designed to meet clients where they are, whether in-person or through online coaching, and are tailored to their lifestyle, goals, and experience level.
What I’m most proud of as a brand is the transformation that goes beyond physical results. My clients don’t just lose weight or gain muscle, they develop structure, confidence, and a healthier relationship with themselves. That shift in identity is what creates long-term success.
At Mar Than Fitness, the mission is simple: Improve wellness as a whole: Mind, Body and Soul. Also to help people become the strongest version of themselves mentally and physically, and to build habits that last long after the program ends.
How do you define success?
From an entrepreneurial standpoint, I define success by impact. Right now, I understand money is important, but I’m not focused on that as my primary measure of success at this stage. What matters most to me is the lives I’m improving through my work. If I can help someone build discipline, confidence, structure, and a healthier relationship with themselves, that is success to me. For Mar Than Fitness, success is not just physical change, it’s mental and emotional transformation. It’s seeing people show up differently in their life, not just in the gym. At this stage in my journey, I measure growth by how many people I can positively influence and how much better their life becomes because of my coaching. That impact is what drives me and defines success for my brand
Pricing:
- 35 per session
- 60 per week
- 230 online only training
- 250 in person/ hybrid
- 30 for basic fitness plan
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mar-than-fitness.onepage.me/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mar.than.fitness/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smackjamar/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarThanFitnesss
