Sensei Mark Clark

I grew up in a family with a background in martial arts. An older cousin of mine studied Isshin-Ryu Karate and taught lessons to several of my family members, including my parents. Because the family was interested in martial arts, I grew up learning some of the fundamentals informally, and in a fun environment. We practiced at family reunions, in back yards, and other gatherings.

When I was around 8 years old, I convinced my parents to take me to a school where I could train formally. I began studying Tae Kwon Do with Clint Wallis of Triple Creek Karate. I earned my first black belt in that art at age 13.

Around that time, I got my first taste of the art that I would continue to study for the rest of my life. A friend convinced me to visit a Methodist Church basement where Roland Peterson Sensei was teaching. Sensei Peterson had trained directly under Saotome Sensei, a direct student of Aikido Founder, Morihei Ueshiba. I was only able to train with Sensei Peterson for about a year before he moved away, but he had a profound impact on my understanding of the martial arts, and after training with him, I was always on the lookout to train Aikido with another qualified instructor. Unfortunately my next opportunity didn’t come until I was attending graduate school at the University of Missouri, Columbia. There, I studied with Sensei Doris Evans until graduation. On her recommendation, I began studying with Senseis Tom and Mary McIntire after moving to Tennessee, and earned my 2nd Dan under them in August of 2015. I still drive to Nashville regularly to train with Tom and Mary Sensei, and attend Aikido seminars around the country with top ranking instructors. 

In high school, I became good friends with a young man whose father, Dr. Thomas Carter, had tested for his black belt under film star Chuck Norris. We convinced him to train us privately, and shortly after graduation we tested for and earned our black belts in Chun Kuk Do. I’m still very proud of the certificate hanging in the office signed by Chuck Norris. Although the focus of my training will always be Aikido, I am very grateful to all of my instructors and the knowledge and training I received from them.