Mark Wright has revealed his insatiable drive to succeed stems from his parents Carol and Mark Snr having ‘absolutely nothing’ after the recession in the early 90s.
The former TOWIE star, 33, recalled how his family’s business investments took a hit during the period and seeing the ‘trauma’ his parents went through stuck with him.
Speaking to Fabulous magazine, he said: ‘I don’t suffer from mental health issues and I’d never claim that, but what I do struggle with is being so driven and passionate about everything I do and always wanting the next thing, the next job, to earn more money and to keep on succeeding.
Memories: Mark Wright, 33, has revealed his insatiable drive to succeed stems from his parents Carol and Mark Snr having ‘absolutely nothing’ after the recession in the early 90s
‘And that’s something that’s stuck with me all through my life since childhood and comes from the trauma of seeing what my mum [Carol, 60] and dad [Mark, 64] went through. Just watching them go from having it all to having absolutely nothing.’
Mark said the family faced an uphill battle to get back on their feet which lasted for eight years, until he was 14.
He said: ‘I felt it because I knew what we’d had and it’s created anxieties later in life because I never want to go there.’
The star added that he is so dedicated to his career as a result of the experience because he knows it could disappear ‘just like that’.
Family: The former TOWIE star recalled how his family’s business investments took a hit during the period and seeing the ‘trauma’ his parents went through stuck with him
Mark recalled his time working as an entertainment reporter for US show Extra alongside Mario Lopez.
The TV star had been in the job only three months when he asked his boss for a promotion, saying he wanted to do more.
Mark also feels that his childhood experiences of financial hardship left him unable to turn down work.
However, the presenter has found that the coronavirus lockdown did force him to settle down and he hasn’t felt the need to start working the minute he wakes up.
Struggle: Mark said the family faced an uphill battle to get back on their feet which lasted for eight years, until he was 14 (pictured in 2012)
Mark added lockdown was great for him and his wife Michelle Keegan as they got to spend an extended period of time together as they were both often travelling abroad for work.
The couple have enjoyed the structure it brought to their relationship, with Mark adding they had dinner together every night during lockdown.
The star is now focused on growing his property empire, his new online fitness business Train Wright and his weeknight Heart radio show.
Mark insisted that he has remained humble since finding fame and still has the same group of friends he had during his school days.
Although he plans on working ’till the day I die’, the Essex native insisted family will always take priority over business.
It comes after Mark was reported to hatched plans to open his own branded gyms, as he continues to expand his fitness empire.
Relationship: Mark added lockdown was great for him and his wife Michelle Keegan as they got to spend an extended period of time together
A source told The Sun: ‘Mark wants to trademark the name for gyms, plus online tuition, books and DVDs, as well a for clothes and sports equipment.
‘He filed the papers in June. Once approved by the Intellectual Property Office, it will mean he is the only person who can use his name.
‘It will prevent others from using “Train Wright” to cash in on his fame and status to make money.’
Entrepreneurial Mark and Michelle recently added another venture to their business empire by making moves to launch a fashion company.
The couple have set up their third private company in just five weeks, according to documents on Companies House.
Career: The star is now focused on growing his property empire, his new online fitness business Train Wright and his weeknight Heart radio show
The reality star recently kickstarted his fitness brand TrainWright and it seems that they intend to extend their £7million empire even further.
Their latest company is called Mysa Ventures and is listed as a retail business in recent documents added to the site on June 25, reports The Sun.
Mark’s companies Mysa Active and Train Wright were launched in May and 85 per cent of the new firm is owned by Mysa Active.
The other 15 per cent is owned by ‘brand building firm’ Catalyst Group, which has links to Jessie Lingard as well as reality stars Molly Mae Hague and Zara McDermott.
Priorities: Although he plans on working ’till the day I die’, the Essex native insisted family will always take priority over business