Give us a little background information on your life outside of PAMA.

I grew up in Upper Makefield, PA, and now live in Yardley with my wife and two daughters. My wife owns a local retail business called Ashton-Whyte, in Pennington and Bryn Mawr. We started the business in 1995 after my wife decided to leave acting. I, too, am an actor, although with the exception of a low budget project I just spent the past two and a half years co-writing, producing, and voicing over, I have been relatively inactive. I've worked under the name "Mark Zobian" for the past 20 years or so. The last steady work I had was as a stand-in on the Sopranos.

What first turned you on to martial arts?

My father worked at Mercer Hospital in Trenton. He once told me a story about a rather diminutive doctor friend from Burma (I think), who while walking to work one day was stopped and surrounded by three young men. The doctor's English not being so attuned to the vernacular of downtown Trenton circa 1969, offered each of the young men a dollar in response to what he perceived to be a plea for immediate financial assistance. When it became apparent that the three young men were not satisfied with what the doctor offered they attacked him, and the doctor threw one of the young men over the side of a bridge into the canal and broke the arm of a second, while the third man ran away. The doctor then escorted the man with the broken arm to the ER. That story, along with the TV series "Kung Fu", and the occasional bullying in school led me to a short lived Shotokan class. Although as a kid I wanted to stay with karate I wound up wrestling instead. In 1988 I started 6 or 7 years of training in Isshinryu. Initially, it was just me and one other student, but after a year it became a one on one learning experience, which although invaluable in many ways, can be rather limiting. I continued to train on my own and with a fellow student of Isshinryu -- we also experimented with Wing Chun, MMA, and Ju Jitsu for a few years. I found PAMA about 4 years ago and I have trained in the Jun Fan, Grappling, and now Kali classes.

How did you first hear about PAMA and what was your motivation to join?

I attended the Bruce Lee Story film where PAMA did a pre-show demonstration. I knew very little about PAMA but always wanted to check it out. I pulled in one day in passing by, and got a tour from Guro Amy -- her sincerity and the overall good vibe of the school made me want to start training. I also could see the influence Bruce Lee had on the philosophy of the school, and seeing that more than one art was represented rang true for me.

What do you most enjoy about your training?

The fact that several arts are represented, and that each one with its own unique qualities and overlaps into the other arts is very important to me. The balance of no-nonsense discipline and genuine encouragement is a joy to be a part of. I have always been addicted to exercise of some kind. The martial arts, especially in the environment offered at PAMA is a place for someone to transcend mindless "exercise" and become a part of something that is truly a body/mind/spirit experience.

What is your favorite art and why?

This should be the most difficult question for just about any PAMA student. I have enjoyed every one of the three arts to which I have been exposed. Kali is such a comprehensive art -- it is my current favorite. You could be 20 years old, or 120 and it seems that Kali would have a viable avenue for one to pursue as a martial artist.

What are your goals you hope to achieve through martial arts?

To continue to challenge myself and remain open to the many ideas offered in each of the arts. I would like to teach someday, even if it is "only" to my own family or friends. I also have occasional, lofty ideas about doing something with my acting/film training and the martial arts. The idea that martial arts can have a powerful influence on one's life is fascinating to me. I think it is a great way to reach people who need a positive outlet -- film and the arts in general also share that enormous potential.

In what ways has your training at PAMA benefited your life outside of the Academy?

The whole PAMA model serves to remind me that we should strive not to place limitations on ourselves mentally or physically. Also, that anything worth having frequently comes with a lifelong devotion.

Any closing remarks?

Can't think of any ... just thanks!