Lincoln man loses more than 100 pounds, wins $10K in fitness contest

It was a list of things the Lincoln man, then weighing more than 300 pounds, couldn’t do, including running a half marathon, hiking a mountain, skydiving and getting a tattoo.

Onwiler began working out at Farrell’s Extreme Bodyshaping in April 2022. He was working as a radio operator in Lincoln at the time and was the board operator for Farrell’s radio show.

“I thought, ‘Maybe it would be nice if someone on the show was doing their 10 week challenge,’” Onwiler said about why he began at Farrell’s. “I knew that I needed to make a change. I did not have a healthy lifestyle. This gave me an excuse to start getting healthier.”

His motivations for working out changed in April 2023 when his wife, Jordan, was diagnosed with cancer. His new motivation became the ability to take care of his wife and daughter by being a solid foundation of strength and discipline.

“I see how quickly life can change. I want to be physically prepared for any challenges that life throws at me.”

Unfortunately, Jordan Onwiler died in July at the age of 35.

But Mark Onwiler continued his fitness journey, losing more than 140 pounds through Farrell’s program, which consists of three days of cardio kickboxing and three days for weight training each week.

In doing so, he won $10,000 in a national challenge from the fitness chain. The annual contest awards a current student who has shown great results from the program.

Onwiler’s transformation has been more than just physical.

“A big thing for me is the self confidence that I’ve gained,” said Onwiler. “When I was 300 pounds, I would apologize for taking up space in a room and would hide in the back corner. People around me have noticed that I stand taller and walk into a room differently.”

Another change was Onwiler’s willingness to try new things, including Farrell’s $10,000 National Challenge. He felt fairly confident in his chances of winning, but also knew that even if he did not win, he had done everything he could. The life changing benefits would be better than the prize money.

“It’s recognition for the hard work I’ve put in,” said Onwiler when asked what the winning the contest meant to him. He also gave recognition to his fellow competitors.

“We’ve all changed our lives. We’ve all gone through this experience separately but jointly. I’m just inherently grateful to the local Farrell community and everyone who supported me.”

And what about that $10,000 prize? Onwiler plans to use that money to honor his wife by keeping a promise he made to her before she passed last summer.

“When I won, I was going to take her to Scotland,” said Onwiler, who had always planned to travel the world. So he’s taking a trip to Scotland and also a trip with his daughter to Jamaica.

Onwiler also offered some advice to anyone who may be beginning their fitness journey.

“Be consistent with it and block out any negative thoughts that may come,” he said. “It is a journey, so be patient and trust it.”