Mark T. Peeples

RANK:
2nd Dan Black Belt, Senior Instructor.

MEMBER SINCE:
Personally trained by Sensei Bill Bryan since 1997.

MARTIAL ARTS HISTORY:
Sempai Mark had the immediate interest as a child at the age of 7 years old after watching movies where people amazingly jumped on mountains and fought! His parents decided to let him 1st try Aikido, but the young Mark soon lost interest. Not too long after he took up Shotokan Karate and progressed to Green Belt. Still having a taste for more learning, Mark studied Ju-Jitsu on the side to sharpen his skills. As time went on, so do people, and Mark had the opportunity to study under Master Sumpter of the Uechi-Ryu Okinawan Karate / Kung Fu as a student in High School, but again it just wasn't what he was looking for. Then, by chance or by Divine Intervention, Mark was introduced to Sensei Bill Bryan at a Church Service. As it turned out, Mark and Sensei were members and brothers in the same Church Fellowship! Mark was eager to prove how tough he was to this short 5' 7" guy with glasses and took up the invitation to visit Sensei Bill's training center located in the back aerobics room of a Fitness Center in Glenside. "It didn't take long to humble me and show me how unprepared for a skilled fighter" recalls Sempai Mark. By the way, Mark is 6' 3'' and was over 300lbs. at the time! Unfortunately this was not the only humbling experience Mark would have with a TAIKENJU-RYU Master. This is when he came face to face with Professor Bennett. Professor Bennett was visiting the Dojo and once again proved to Sempai Mark to never judge a book by it's cover!

Mark has been with TAIKENJU-RYU ever since and is a dedicated student and acting Senior Instructor of the Dojo. Sempai Mark is proficient in all the stand up fighting arts taught in the TKJR System and currently is working on his Apprentice Instructor Certification in KALI (Filipino Arts) and JKD (Jeet Kune Do).

ABOUT ME:
"I enjoy working with people, learning from others and having fun!" "Humor is my dominant personality trait and I am very proud to be a Christian!" Sempai Mark is a Licensed Life Insurance Agent with New York Life and looks forward to being Lead Sales Trainer in our new Super Center Dojo very soon! Three Quick Important Personal Facts:

1. Looks like Steven Seagal…
2. But, Trains like the "ROCK!"
3. Don't you eeever…think you can beat me!!!