Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Taylor.
Hi Mark, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Mr. Mark Taylor. I started my martial arts journey with Premier Martial Arts Lawrence in August of 2006. I became an instructor shortly after that and worked my way through not only belt ranks but job positions. I became the Head Instructor, then Program Director, later on Manager and eventually bought the school in 2017! I am the proud owner or Premier Lawrence LLC. I’m going on 20 years of martial arts and self defense instruction.
Our school takes a different approach to Martial Arts. We teach an effective self-defense style known as Krav Maga rather than a traditional style like most other martial arts. Its more of a reality-based self-defense training and it has led us in a different direction than a lot of martial arts schools in our area. We have been able to build relationships with various community groups and organizations over the years. We offer more realistic self-defense certifications and courses that I oversee and design. This has been my journey, education other’s in safety and self defense and I am loving every mintue of it!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest struggle for us is getting our mission out as Self Defense Experts in our Community. Many know who we are but there are perceptions that exist that martial arts is just that an Art and it can be but not always. Sometimes the art form is not always for everyone. That’s where we come in. Don’t get me wrong there’s some art in what we do but we go beyond.
Anyone can do what we do and I feel everyone should learn more about their safety in today’s world. We take our training down a different road. “What should our kids know about self-defense” “What as adults do we need to know in order to keep ourselves and our kids safe.” Everthing from what to do when contact occurs to before like, Scanning our Environment, Making ourselves Harder Targets, Having Rallying points and game plans for when things don’t go as planned. These are all things we should learn and think about to be prepared. Sometimes it can be a struggle to get this important knowledge to our community members and get them the training we feel everyone should receive.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Our school takes a different approach to Martial Arts. We teach an effective self-defense style known as Krav Maga rather than a traditional style like most other martial arts. Its more of a reality-based self-defense training and it has led us in a different direction than a lot of martial arts schools in our area. We have been able to build relationships with various community groups and organizations. We offer more realistic self-defense certifications and courses over the years.
We ran an “Empower” Self Defense class on KU Campus for over 10 years. We started a Certified CEU Course for Social Workers called “Safety and Awareness Training CEU Course” through the State KS-BSRB approved. We have been teaching self defense certification for the USACE KC District for over 14 years. We are A.L.I.C.E Certified and pride ourselves on offering self-defense training to our community here in Lawrence.
We are most proud of our approach to be more self-defense dependent. This allows us to grow and truly help those who need empowerment and to learn to protect themselves.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up like most. A little nervous kid even scared and un for sure at times. It wasn’t until I found martial arts that it all changed for me. I was around 15 when I was first introduced to Martial Arts training. After a couple of years, I graduated high school and moved to Lawrence around the age 17 for school. Lawrence became home to me over the years. I took a break from martial arts as I started going to school and felt something was missing. I started looking for Martial Arts and found Premier in 2006. After I joined Premier Martial Arts I soon realized my life’s passion goal.
Pricing:
- Once a week ONLY $69 a month!
- Twice a week around $125 a month!
- Fitness Kickboxing just $35 a month!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://premiermartialarts.com/kansas-lawrence/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/premiermartialarts/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pmalawrence/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pmamjtaylor2
