TAMPA, Fla. — A Bay area man has gone from being bullied as a kid to being a real-life superhero who inspires kids with an impactful anti-bullying message.
What You Need To Know
- Marc Wilkes was bullied as a child because he has a speech impairment.
- Wilkes took up strength training as a 12-year-old and got years of speech therapy.
- He has been appearing as Omegaman for 16 years at schools and rallies to promote an anti-bullying message.
Marc Wikes recently appeared at more than a dozen Polk County schools as his superhero character, Omegaman. One of those schools was Valleyview Elementary School in Lakeland.
During his two performances there, Wilkes performed feats of strength including ripping up a huge book he called the book of bad choices, breaking a baseball bat over his thigh and lifting two kids over his head at the same time.
There is a very personal reason why Wilkes has a special heart for what he does.
“I was bullied because I had a speech impediment,” he said. “I stuttered. So bullying is pretty close to my heart. I know the impact it can make in a kid’s life. They feel exclusion and deal with self-esteem.”
But Wilkes became determined not to be a victim.
“And that’s why I started working out at age 12. Never knew that one day I would use those muscles for what I do now, bullying prevention.”
Wilkes has been appearing at school assemblies for 16 years. He said his organization has reached millions of students.
Between his two shows at Valleyview, Wilkes was really excited out how the children were responding. “Awesome. We challenged young people to be dream makers,” he said. “To be heroes. Helping everyone to respect others. To believe in themselves and use your powers for good. Never for bad.”