Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Dong.
Hi Mark, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started martial arts when I was 18 years old. I started with Kajukenbo karate in 1989. I earned my Black Belt in 1994 and my 2nd Degree Black Belt in 1996. Shortly after, I took a long break. I got married and started a family. I started back in martial arts in 2005 with American Kenpo. I got to Purple Belt and then we moved out to Katy. Then, in 2007, I started training in Praying Mantis Kung Fu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and in 2010, I earned my Black Sash in Kung Fu and in 2012 earned my 2nd Degree Black Sash in Kung Fu. In 2009, while training Kung Fu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, I started training Krav Maga. I went to the Krav Maga Instructor Course, which is 180 hours long. In 2013, I joined Gracie Barra Westchase to continue my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and on Nov 13, 2020, I earned my Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and earned the title of “Professor”. In 2011, I started my Krav Maga school, Krav Fit Now, in the Chinatown area.
In 2015, I moved my school out to West Houston/Energy Corridor. We were doing really well! I had 85 students and we were growing and on pace to hit 100 students! But, in 2017, Hurricane Harvey pretty much put my business on the downward spiral and with COVID hitting in 2020, that pretty much put an end to Krav Fit Now. So, for about a year, I was doing just private lessons and I would travel to their homes or places of business to teach them. In August of 2021, I decided to dust myself off and start over. I decided to rebrand my school to Dragon’s Den Self Defense Academy where my main focus is Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Firearms Training. I am also an NRA Basic Pistol Instructor and Range Safety Officer. I am also a License to Carry (LTC) Firearms Instructor with the Department of Public Safety (DPS). I currently am still training in Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kung Fu, and I am an avid CrossFitter. In my spare time, I am a Stunt Actor/Stunt Choreographer for films. I also am a soldier in the Texas State Guard helping out our fellow Texans in their time of need when disaster strikes.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t. With Hurricane Harvey and COVID really crippling my business, I had to find different ways to adapt. I took on being a mobile self-defense trainer where I would travel to people’s homes or businesses as I mentioned earlier. Last year, I took a part-time job at a local print shop called NBD Graphics here in Katy just to have some sort of steady income. The other struggle was when I decided to relocate and rebrand. When I relocated to Katy, all of my demographics and SEO were all for the Westchase/Energy Corridor area. So, I feel like I am starting all over again. But, at least I have the knowledge of what needs to get done so that it doesn’t feel like a complete redo of the business.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Dragon’s Den Self Defense Academy?
I started my school back in 2011. Dragon’s Den Self Defense Academy offers classes in Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and we offer Firearms Training such as Basic Pistol Safety and Handling Courses, License to Carry (LTC) classes, and a Tactical Concealed Carry class. We also do private lessons where we can travel to your home or office or you can come to our facility here in Katy, Texas. I also offer classes in Basic Stunt Fighting for Films.
I feel that people know me as the Self Defense Expert. You know, in our association, Krav Maga Global (KMG), I am currently the Highest Ranked Krav Maga Expert Instructor in the USA! I am also on the KMG National Testing Committee. I feel that because I have a wide range of martial arts experience, I can give the client better technical instruction and modify any movements if necessary. I also feel that because I can be mobile, I am more flexible to do martial arts, fitness, or stunt training classes, workshops, or private lessons anywhere, sets me apart from others.
In the last couple of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments that my students competed in, they told me that several people loved our gi’s and our logo, so that made me proud of our Dragon’s Den Self Defense Academy branding! All of my students have brought home medals! In the last tournament, one of my female students brought home two Gold Medals! She is our school’s first Gold and Double Gold Medalist!
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Well, growing up, I was picked on a lot. That is what we called it instead of “bullying”. I kept to myself a lot and I had one other friend that we just hung out together. We enjoyed each other’s company as we collected Transformers, Star Wars and played Atari 2600 and Apple IIe video games! Oh, those were the good ol’ days…minus the getting picked on by our classmates. 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dragonsdensda.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dragonsdensda
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dragonsdensda
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa7NIoMQuBo8xYgJcWmKGvw
