Introduction
Mark Cheng is a renowned martial artist, a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, and an expert in functional fitness. With over 25 years of experience in the martial arts world, Mark Cheng has risen as a celebrity trainer and one of the most sought-after movement specialists in the fitness industry. But, his journey has not been a bed of roses. He went through several hardships, injuries, and difficulties before emerging as a master trainer. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the rise of Mark Cheng journey from being a martial artist to mindfulness.
1. Mark Cheng’s Early Life
Mark Cheng was born in Chinese-American family and raised up in Indiana. As a child, he was introduced to martial arts by his father – a Judo black belt holder, who coached him till his teenage years. In his early life, Mark was heavily involved in martial arts, and he even participated in several martial arts tournaments. His interest in martial arts continued as he studied a variety of styles including Judo, Taekwondo, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
2. Mark Cheng as a Martial Arts Champion
Mark Cheng’s martial art skills were soon recognized, and he became an accomplished professional fighter. He participated in several full-contact kickboxing matches, where he went undefeated for over five years. He also won a North American Wushu championship and several other martial arts tournaments.
3. Mark Cheng’s Injuries and the Turning Point
Despite his success in the martial arts world, Mark Cheng was struck by major injuries. He had a serious back injury, which kept him bedridden for months. This was a turning point in Cheng’s life as he realized that he needed to change his focus from fighting to healing. This led him to study Traditional Chinese Medicine and functional fitness, which focuses on building strength, mobility, and resilience.
4. Mark Cheng’s Fascination with Functional Fitness
Mark Cheng’s fascination with functional fitness led him to study under some of the top experts in the field. He trained with some of the best functional fitness coaches, including Pavel Tsatsouline, creator of the Kettlebell program. Cheng excelled in training with Kettlebells and later became a certified instructor providing Kettlebell courses to fitness coaches, martial arts schools and other health professionals.
5. Mindfulness Coaching
Throughout his journey, Mark Cheng discovered the importance of mindfulness as a way to connect mind and body. Cheng realized that mindfulness could play a powerful role in healing mental and physical issues. With his passion for mindfulness, he became a coach, leveraging the best of his multiple skillsets, including martial arts, Traditional Chinese Medicine, functional fitness, and mindfulness.
6. Mark Cheng’s Rise as a Celebrity Trainer
Mark Cheng’s diverse skill sets in martial arts, fitness, and mindfulness quickly set him apart, and he became a popular celebrity trainer. His clients included A-list Hollywood celebrities, Olympic athletes, and professional fighters. Cheng began working as a fitness expert and coach at the Los Angeles-based Equinox Gym. He also became a regular presenter at the Perform Better seminars, a series of educational summits held across North America, shaping fitness professionals and enthusiasts.
7. FAQs related to Mark Cheng’s Journey
Q1. What is Mark Cheng’s area of expertise?
Mark Cheng’s area of expertise is in martial arts, functional fitness, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and mindfulness coaching.
Q2. What led Cheng on his journey into functional fitness?
A back injury that left him paralyzed with chronic pain made Cheng realize the importance of functional fitness as a means to heal his body.
Q3. How did Mark Cheng become a celebrity trainer?
Mark Cheng’s unique skill set made him highly sought after, particularly by A-list Hollywood celebrities, and he quickly gained a reputation as a fitness expert and coach.
Q4. What is functional fitness, and how is it different from traditional workout routines?
Functional fitness is a form of exercise that involves movements that mimic everyday activities or sports movements. This type of training is designed to improve overall fitness levels, as well as functional movement. Unlike traditional workout routines, functional fitness emphasizes movement, not muscle.
Q5. What is mindfulness, and how does it benefit mental health?
Mindfulness is a meditation technique that involves focusing on the present moment, being aware of thoughts and feelings without judgment. Mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, depression and improve overall mental health.
Q6. What is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic and alternative approach to medicine. It includes a range of treatments and practices, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy.
Q7. What is Kettlebell training?
Kettlebell is a cast iron or steel ball with a handle attached to the top. Kettlebell training is a type of functional fitness that uses Kettlebells to build strength, cardio, agility, balance, and mobility.
Conclusion
Mark Cheng, from a martial art champion, has evolved as one of the most respected trainers in the world of functional fitness and mindfulness coaching. Moving beyond his initial success in the martial arts world, Mark Cheng’s passion for healing, mindfulness, and functional fitness has become an inspiration for people worldwide. Aspiring fitness enthusiasts can learn much from his journey and teachings. Therefore, Mark Cheng is a source of encouragement and inspiration for all the people struggling with life’s hurdles but still strive for success.