Mark Jansen walked into the Big Brother 19 house looking like he could bench press the entire cast. He didn’t. Instead, he spent most of the summer crying, falling in love, and trying to figure out how a personal trainer from Buffalo became the house’s biggest emotional target.
He was the "friendly giant."
Most people remember Mark Big Brother 19 for two things: his massive biceps and his even more massive rivalry with Josh Martinez. Remember the pickle juice? The hot sauce? The pots and pans? It was peak reality TV chaos. But if you look past the memes, Mark’s journey was actually one of the most frustrating and human arcs in the show's modern era.
The Josh Martinez Feud and the Pickle Juice Incident
Let’s be real. The "meatball" era of Big Brother was stressful to watch. Mark and Josh were like oil and water, but the water was boiling. Josh would follow Mark around with kitchenware, clanging pans and singing that infamous "da-da-da-da-da" tune.
It drove Mark nuts.
Honestly, the "pickle juice incident" is still one of the weirdest highlights of the season. After weeks of being poked and prodded, Mark finally snapped in a weirdly domestic way. He grabbed a cup of pickle juice and hot sauce and threw it right in Josh’s face.
It wasn't a "good" move.
Actually, it almost got him into serious trouble with production. But for fans who felt Josh was being a bully, it was a moment of catharsis. Mark later admitted that his emotions got the best of him. He’s a sensitive guy—he calls himself a "teddy bear"—and the BB19 house was basically a pressure cooker designed to melt teddy bears.
Why Mark Big Brother 19 Never Had a Chance
Mark’s game was doomed the second he stayed loyal to Cody Nickson and Jessica Graf. In Big Brother, loyalty is usually a virtue. In Season 19, it was a death sentence.
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Paul Abrahamian ran that house like a cult leader.
If you weren't with Paul, you were a "target." Mark was stuck in the middle. He tried to play the "fence-sitter" role for a bit, but that just made both sides distrust him. He won four rounds of safety in a row—including some clutch Veto wins—but you can only win your way out of a corner for so long.
The Strategy That Failed
Mark’s biggest mistake? Probably not sticking by Dominique Cooper. He admitted this after the show. He let the house isolate her, and by the time he realized he was next on the chopping block, he had no allies left. He was the classic "physical threat" who couldn't find a social anchor.
He ended up as the third member of the jury, evicted on Day 65. Even though Alex Ow and Jason Dent gave him "pity votes" to stay, the writing was on the wall. He was too big to keep around and too nice to play as dirty as he needed to.
The "Marlena" Showmance: Love, Texas, and Tinder
You can't talk about Mark Big Brother 19 without talking about Elena Davies.
Their showmance, dubbed "Marlena," was the backbone of his experience. Mark was smitten. Like, "moving to Texas and starting a family" smitten. And he actually did it! After the show, Mark packed up his life in Buffalo and moved to Dallas to be with Elena.
It didn't last.
The breakup was messy. In March 2019, Mark dropped a 45-minute YouTube video explaining his side. He talked about fighting constantly. He mentioned feeling like he lost himself trying to make her happy.
Then came the Tinder drama.
Elena claimed he cheated; Mark claimed he only jumped on Tinder after they had already broken up. It was a classic "he-said, she-said" situation that played out on podcasts and social media for months. Eventually, they both moved on. Mark even appeared on Ex on the Beach with her, which was just as cringey as you’d expect.
Where is Mark Jansen Now?
Fast forward to 2026, and Mark has mostly traded the reality TV lights for the fitness grind. He’s still a personal trainer and runs Mark Jansen Fitness. He also hosts the Find Your Fortitude podcast, where he gets surprisingly deep about mental health and personal growth.
He’s not just "the guy from Big Brother" anymore.
He’s built a brand around being vulnerable. He lost both of his parents at a young age, and he uses that trauma to connect with people who are struggling. It’s a far cry from the guy throwing pickle juice at a man in a tutu.
What You Can Learn From Mark’s Journey
- Loyalty needs a limit: In a social game, being too loyal to the "wrong" people can end your run early.
- Emotions aren't a weakness: Mark was mocked for crying, but his vulnerability is what actually made him a fan favorite in the long run.
- Showmances are risky: Moving across the country for someone you met on a 90-day TV show is... a lot.
If you're looking to follow Mark's current path, check out his fitness programs or his podcast. He’s much more focused on "lifestyle transformation" these days than "houseguest drama."
The best way to keep up is to follow his Instagram for workout tips—just don't expect any more pickle juice recipes.