You hardly learn much about a person from a few dates, locations and highlighted achievements but I have to start somewhere so here's what you need to know.
I am the founder and chief instructor for Real World Defence Systems. Like many people in my industry, I come from a varied and colourful background. I spent a very happy childhood and youth living between Ireland and the United States. My interests included a passion for martial arts, physical fitness, academics, linguistics, and travel. Along with personal training, I worked as a nightclub doorman, bodyguard and martial arts instructor to help pay for my university studies. I graduated from the University of Illinois in Chicago with a Bachelors Degree in International Studies and a minor in Asian Studies. I continued on to Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and earned a Masters Degree in International Relations. I spent thirteen years as an officer in the United States Army and three years as an internationally based security consultant. I speak several languages and hold a private pilot certification.
I prefer to live the life of a quiet professional without much adulation or fanfare. Most times, I find it difficult to talk about myself because I honestly prefer to hear the thoughts and opinions of others regarding topics of meaningful substance. I genuinely want to make a positive impact within my community and the circles I travel, which is why I wake up early and go to bed late most days.
The primary impetus for my chosen profession would undoubtedly be my consistent passion for the martial arts. Martial arts training had me seek out the best instructors I could meet and by the age of twenty-two I had traveled throughout Asia, Europe and North America pursuing knowledge in the arts. Ironically, with global travel often comes uninvited trouble of the violent sort and it would have been quite common for me to have been exposed to the realities of street violence more times than I care to remember. It was my military education and experiences that hammered home the simplification process that all martial arts students must undergo to gain true proficiency with their skill sets. Life or death situations intensely clarify the simple actions you need to take in order to survive a brutal assault. Sometimes, simply acting when others falter will give you the leading edge in a situation and in life.
I feel the martial arts offer me an insight into the truth of my own humanity by demanding honesty in the training process. We are all human beings with an unbelievable potential to excel beyond what conventional wisdom would have us believe.
Through Real World Defence Systems I teach reality based self-protection concepts and continually update my own education with the most relevant training methods in the industry.
Martial Arts Rank and Titles:
(5th Degree Blackbelt) Go Dan Renshi, Jujitsu
(4th Degree Blackbelt) Yon Dan, Isshin Ryu Karate & Kobudo
(4th Degree) Qinghu-si Duan, Shoalin Ch’uan Fa
(4th Degree Blackbelt) Sa Dan, Taekwon Do
In addition to my military education I also hold the following Certificatons:
Personal Trainer Certification
(ACE) American Council on Exercise 1993
NLP Master Practitioner Certification
Neuro-linguistic Programming Institute of Washington D.C 2001
NLP Practitioner Certification
Neuro-linguistic Programming Institute of Washington D.C. 1998
Sports Consultant Certification
Irish Training and Educational Centre 2009
Personal Trainer Certification
Irish Training and Educational Centre 2009
Sports Achievement NLP Trainer Certification
Irish Training and Educational Centre 2009
Door Security Procedures Certification
International Centre for Security Excellence 2010 (Fetac Level 4)
Occupational First Aid Certification
Irish Red Cross 2010 (Fetac Level 5)
I have an amazing life with my wonderful wife and three children and look forward to all that the future may hold. I have a great extended family and am grateful for all the people I have had the privilege of knowing along the way. Thanks for reading and I wish you all the best in life.
I can be contacted at Mark@RealWorldDefence.com if you have any questions or queries regarding Real World Defence Systems.