When I was 14 years old, my life changed forever. A single moment left me with burn injuries that covered much of my face and hands. Visible scars that I couldn’t hide, even if I wanted to. But what I’ve learned is that those scars don’t just tell a story of pain—they tell a story of resilience, growth, and believe it or not, gratitude. Learning to love your scars can be the start of something amazing.
Growing up with a visible difference wasn’t easy. School was a mixed bag. I had to learn how to manage comments, whispers, and stares. Sometimes people said things that stung. But honestly, not as much as you might think. I realised early that staring is part of human nature. We all do it, whether we like to admit it or not. So, I decided to flip it. Instead of looking away, I’d keep eye contact and smile right back at them. It’s amazing how much a smile can change things. It shifts the energy, making the whole interaction different. Suddenly, it’s not awkward anymore, it’s just human.
You don’t have to wait for the world to accept you.
Comments happen too, and some of them aren’t exactly kind, but I’ve come to understand that when someone lashes out like that, it’s not really about me, it’s about them. Maybe they’re having a rough day or carrying their own pain. When I look at it that way, it’s easier to brush off. In fact, I feel sorry for them. What must be going on in their life for them to act that way? Realising that changed everything for me. I stopped taking it personally.
I didn’t get here alone, though. I had an incredible support network around me—my medical team, my family, friends, and even my wider community. They lifted me up when I needed it, and that’s a privilege I don’t take for granted. It’s also why I’m so passionate about paying that forward, making sure others know that they don’t have to go through tough times alone.
One of my proudest moments came in a place you might not expect: the poker world. In 2014, I was named the first-ever Global Poker Index Media Person of the Year. In an industry that’s all about risk, strategy, and reading people, I stood there as someone who’s been read and judged my whole life, and I came out on top. It wasn’t just a trophy to me—it was proof that I could thrive in spaces where appearances often matter.
Marc won’t let other people’s judgements hold him back
For anyone struggling with their own visible difference, the biggest thing I can say is this: do the inside work. Figure out who you are, what you stand for, and don’t wait around for acceptance. When you become comfortable with yourself, it’s like a switch flips. You walk differently. People react differently. You realise you’ve got way more power than you thought.
Looking forward, I’ve got a lot of hope—not just for me, but for anyone living with a visible difference. Despite what you see on the news or social media, I genuinely believe it’s never been a better time to be an individual. But here’s the thing, you don’t have to wait for the world to accept you. You can start by accepting yourself. The rest follows.
Life’s really as simple as you make it. I try to dial down the negativity and dive into the positives as much as I can. So far, it’s working out alright. If I can keep doing that, I reckon it’ll have been a good life by the time I’m done. And I’m satisfied with that.
