Martial arts expert fights his way onto TV show
Local boxing and martial arts trainer Mark Shrader is looking to take his fighting skills to the small screen. Shrader, a lifelong Monessen resident, has owned and operated schools in the Uniontown area since 1994. His current training facility, Mark Shrader’s Mixed Martial Arts Academy, is located on Peter Street. In 2005, he opened a second school in his hometown.
The 31-year-old father of three received an e-mail several weeks ago from the New York-based production company NorthSouth Productions. The production company has created shows such as “Trading Spaces” and “A Wedding Story.”
“They were looking for a mixed martial artist to be the host of a reality TV show and said they were interested in me,” Shrader said.
If chosen, the currently untitled show would team Shrader with another fighter from Los Angeles, sending them around the world.
“It’s going to be me and the other guy traveling to different countries like Russia, Japan and Brazil, fighting in their style of fighting,” Shrader said.
“We’d go to their gyms and learn the styles through their masters,” he added. “After two or three weeks, we have to fight a local guy in that style.”
Never one to back down from adventure, Shrader sent a video showcasing his talents to New York. The tape was scheduled to arrive at noon the day after it was shipped. Apparently, it was a hit.
“They called me at 1 p.m. saying that they were interested in me,” Shrader said. “They said they really wanted to meet me in person to make the decision.”
Shrader traveled to New York the first week of July and met with the executive producers.
“The producers said I had a passion and energy for the project, and they liked what they saw,” Shrader said.
Following the interview, the producers told Shrader they wanted him to return and meet the fighter from Los Angeles to see how their personalities mesh.
“They want me to come back to fight and work out with him,” Shrader said. “They’re even going to send us out together around New York to see how we mix.
“Right now, I’m just waiting for the call,” he added.
Shrader is confident in his chances of getting the part due to his fighting background. His first step into the world of martial arts came at age 15.
“I started karate in Belle Vernon in 1989 with Chon’s Karate. I was working with him for about two years when I got interested in kickboxing,” he said. “That’s when I had my fights in kickboxing, in like ’91 to ’92. I converted over to boxing in ’92.”
Shrader has competed in nine kickboxing fights, with a record of 6-3.
“One of those fights was for a major title. I lost by a split decision,” he said.
Since 1992, Shrader has had 28 boxing matches, boasting an impressive record of 24-4.
“I’ve also had countless numbers of jiu-jitsu fights, and I am a four-time grand champion in karate tournaments,” he said.
Belinda Hoone, instructor and office manager at Mark Shrader’s Mixed Martial Arts Academy, has known Shrader for nearly six years. She has full faith in his abilities.
“His skills are beyond reality,” Hoone said. “I’ve been there through his boxing matches, jiu-jitsu matches and his karate. I’ve seen it all. You can’t get much better than what he is.
“His title is Master Shrader, but to me, from working with him, he’s even higher than that,” she added. “He’s the best I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot of them. He has so much passion for the sport, more than anyone I’ve ever seen.”
While the show may be the opportunity of a lifetime, Shrader would have to temporarily leave behind his life at home, if chosen.
His children, Reed, Mara and Emma – ages 9, 4 and 2 respectively – are fully behind their father, though.
“They’re definitely supportive of it,” Shrader said. “They realize it’s the opportunity of a lifetime and support it.”
The other instructors at the school offered to look after it should he be chosen, according to Hoone.
“I’ll be there. We’ll do whatever he asks. That’s how much he means to us,” Hoone said.
The producers are intending to film the pilot in August, which will then be sold to a major network. E
ven if he doesn’t get the part, Shrader is content with the experience so far.
“They know who I am now. I have my foot in the door,” he said.
“But in the end, I am definitely the guy who likes adventure,” he added.
“This would give me the chance to experience the world. I want to be in the spotlight and show the world who I am.”