EXPERIENCE.
PURPOSE.
Martial arts, combat sports, and real-world experience behind a simple philosophy: avoid the fight when you can, and be capable of protecting yourself or others when you cannot.
THREE DECADES
OF TRAINING.
Mark began training in martial arts in 1996. His background includes boxing, Muay Thai, MMA, submission wrestling, no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Eskrima, and weapons-based combatives.
A former MMA fighter, Mark has lived and trained in an MMA legend’s gym and participated in immersive uchi-deshi training. His experience also includes service in the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy, completing basic training in both branches, as well as work in corrections, as a bouncer, in private security, and as a personal trainer.
That military and professional background informs training that connects awareness, practical fighting skills, weapons-related risks, and responsibility. Private citizens, law enforcement and other professionals can request training suited to their goals. Military personnel may also inquire about instruction by request.
Those experiences shaped an approach that values awareness, restraint, composure, physical capability, and preparation for the moments when avoiding a fight is no longer possible.
Train with Mark ↗
EXPLORE WHAT WE OFFER.
Join weekly group classes, request private lessons, or host a seminar. We also offer women’s self-defense by request through private or small-group instruction and workshops, along with personal training and combat-sports coaching.
NO FALSE
CONFIDENCE.
Combat sports develop timing, distance, resilience, and the ability to perform against resistance. Self-defense asks a different question: can you avoid unnecessary violence—and still protect yourself or others if you must fight? The goal is to end the immediate threat and disengage when safe.
Want to train combat sports? If your goal is to compete, sport-specific coaching in MMA, boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, and submission grappling can be requested through private lessons or specialized seminars. There is no separate regularly scheduled combat-sports group class. See Combat Sports Training.
WHAT COMBAT SPORTS TEACH
Striking, wrestling, grappling, pressure, movement, controlled resistance, and the ability to work through difficult physical problems.
WHAT SELF-DEFENSE ADDS
Recognizing warning signs, managing contact, verbal boundaries, awareness of weapons, legal considerations, and making safe opportunities to leave.