A Million Miles and a Jump Rope

Mark Rothstein, elected into the National Fitness Hall of Fame (2011), created the epitome of a grass roots fitness movement more than a quarter century ago by establishing The World of Rope Jumping. Mark has toured the United States and abroad having presented more than 10,000 live shows to over 5,000,000 young people.  Presently, he continues a demanding annual touring schedule in which he drives more than 65,000 miles to perform over 400 programs. Mark has personally driven more than 1,000,000 miles on the highways, bi-ways and rural routes of America, to every show which he has performed! 

As a performing professional athlete, role model, entertainer and educator, Mark inspires and motivates audiences around the world!

Creating the grass roots tour... In 1981, after graduating from college with his degree in education, Mark worked in the education and fitness industries while also performing rope jumping exhibitions. This included endorsement performances for an athletic company (in its infancy at the time) Reebok, as well as Disney World, Coca Cola and other major corporations. Utilizing the entertainment value of Mark's rope jumping, along with his educational background and fitness expertise, in 1986 he created the Jump Against Drugs program. The show was based on the simple, yet complex, concept of Mark performing his electrifying rope jumping exhibitions, coupled with the positive messages of living a healthy, drug-free life. Jump Against Drugs also coincided with the national  "Just Say No" campaign of the 1980's.  

Guinness World Rope Jumping Records

Along this journey... Inspired by the many fitness feats of the legendary Jack Lalanne, in 1989, Mark established his first world record for continuous rope jumping for 22 hours 10 minutes and 01 second. The charitable benefactor of this endeavor was The Sudden Infant Death (SIDS) Institute. Just over a year later, Mark established his second record for more than 36 hours of continuous rope jumping. During Mark's shows, if asked, he enjoys sharing the interesting rules which govern such a feat, as well as his personal training methods used in preparing to establish these records .

The World of Rope Jumping

Welcome to The World of Rope Jumping... In the early 1990's Mark further evolved his Jump Against Drugs program into what is known today as The World of Rope Jumping. Present day shows are still based on Mark's electrifying exhibitions, but they now also include powerful, positive character building components. Honesty, teamwork, respect,  kindness, healthy lifestyles, drug-free living, and trying your best are all key elements of his current shows.

In addition to his live shows, Mark created his All Day Visit, which also offer students the opportunity to work "hands-on" with him in rope jumping / fitness workshops. To date, more than half of his bookings are for the  All Day Visit.

Mark also now offers an Evening Show which allows parents and their children the opportunity to enjoy an evening with him, in their community, promoting rope jumping, fitness and a healthy lifestyle, all while having fun! 

Additionally, Mark has created a series of rope jumping and fitness videos (originally on VHS, now in DVD format) which are available to physical educators and the general public around the world.

Touring The World

Around the World... The mid 1990's to the present have literally been a whirlwind of travel and performances for Mark which, in addition to his annual USA Tour, have included four tours of Singapore, three to the Middle East, two of Europe and a tour of Nova Scotia in the middle of winter!  One of many, very proud and humbling, international experiences was Mark's invitation to perform as the soloist for The President of Singapore at The World Healthy Heart Expo in Singapore to honor the new millennium. Other honors included keynote presentations at the Bahrain National Aerobics Championships, and for The National University of Singapore, as well as main stage shows at Olympic City during the Games of the XXVI Olympiad. The highlights, friendships, educational experiences and memories of international travel are truly rewarding and will be forever cherished.

My Everlasting Tour of America

My Everlasting Tour... To describe the experiences I have enjoyed, to pay homage to the plethora of responsible people, and to attempt to properly thank the millions who have humbled me as my audience, will require a big book, which could one day happen.

Until then, I share a few special thank you's
...Bibb County Schools in Macon, Georgia and Sandersville Elementary in Sandersville, Georgia for 25 consecutive years of shows
...World-Champion-Team Hot Dog USA in Kirkland, Washington, and the honor to jump rope with you
...The White Mountain Jump Rope Jamboree in Conway, New Hampshire 20+ years and counting
...Rapid City Schools in Rapid City, South Dakota for years and years of support and keeping each other strong on 9/11
...The Mayor of Upper Saddle River, NJ for the proclamation of Jump Against Drugs Day on March 31,1998
...The Share the Wealth Physical Education conference in Jekyll Island, Georgia for 25+ years of  inspiration to educators
...Lindenhurst City Schools on Long Island, NY for 15 years and counting
...NEFEC in Palatka, Florida for 20 years and 300 shows
...Every school in North Central and Havre, Montana
...The North Shore Arts Council in Massachusetts for all you do for artists
...The Town of Eclectic, Alabama for your recognition in 1995
...The State of Alabama for the distinction of Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Aide-DE-Camp in 1990
...Reid Schools in Arlington, Texas and Middletown, Pennsylvania for so many great years
...Lockport Schools in Illinois, for 18 years and counting
...Waterloo Primary in Atwater, Ohio
...Memorial School in Upton, Massachusetts
...Spring ISD, Texas
...Beaver Creek Schools, Ohio
...All of the Jackson and Macon County Schools, North Carolina
...The Amherst DARE Program, Middle School and Police Department in Amherst, New Hampshire
...Heritage Christian Academy in Indianapolis, Indiana
...H. Olive Day School in Norfolk, Massachusetts
...Oconee County Schools in Seneca, South Carolina for 10 tours and 88 shows
...The schools of Green River and Rock Springs, Wyoming
...Warsaw Central School District, Warsaw, NY
...South Fayette Elem. School in MacDonald, PA
...Bath Middle in Bath, Maine
...Flower Mound ISD, Texas
...Every Elementary School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
...The Washington State Alliance for Health and Physical Education for 10 tours and 165 shows
...all of the dedicated physical educators in the Country
...and...

...To everyone who joined me at the beginning of this never-ending rope jumping and
fitness  journey, and to those who have joined me along the way, I thank you.