Mark Aycock
From world class martial arts athlete to fight choreographer to professional consultant to commercial and music video actor to disease fighter to award winning writer.
Penning faith-based action story treatments that honor Christ. War
Angels ©️, an “Award Winner” at the 2025 Knoxville International Christian Film Festival ~ Heroes for Innocence ©️, “Official Selection” into the 2026 KICFF. Both stories received “Official Selections” from the Western Canadian International Film Festival 2025. Other festivals & honors pending.
Won national and world honors in three martial arts sports ~ Karate—Isshinryu Grand Nationals
Fighting Grand Champion (the first fighter from the southern U.S. to win this esteemed tournament) ~ Sport Jujitsu— U.S. 5 Man Fighting Team Silver Medalists World Championships (considered by many the world’s best team) ~ Continuous Fighting— World Silver Medalist the Battle of Atlanta World Championships (considered one of the most iconic martial arts event worldwide).
Earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee. The same year of graduation won the University of Tennessee Martial Arts Open fighting championship, awarded “Best Team” honors as head coach of the Wheeler Karate team, and named “Outstanding Karate Practitioner” by the Isshinryu Hall of Fame.
Considered one of the top tier martial arts athletes during the tenure of the highly competitive Tennessee Karate Circuit winning multiple grand championship titles plus twelve number one ratings. Coached the “Wheeler Team” winning year-end “Best Team” honors.
Captain of the Wheeler 4 Man Fighting Team defeating a top national team for the championship at a southeastern conference sanctioned tournament.
Isshinryu Hall of Fame ~ Sport Jujitsu Hall of Fame ~ World Martial Arts Hall of Fame ~ Isshinryu Karate Legacy Circle of Honor ~ Top Ten Fighter National and World Circuit ~ Top rated trifecta competitor— fighting, kata, weapons U.S. Southeastern Conference ~ TOKA Coach of the Year.
Year.
Promoted to 9th Dan in Isshinryu by the TOKA & bestowed the title Hanshi (exemplary teacher, scholar, & warrior) ~ Honored as a 10th Dan by the ASJL for outstanding achievements & innovations in the martial arts.
Featured in the following martial arts magazines — “Official Karate” ~ “American Karate” ~ “Karate International.”
I was honored to be under the mentorship of my teacher and friend Allen Wheeler, a Christ-centered man and world-renowned martial artist.
Commercial work ~ Ford—construction worker. Pontiac—athlete/runner. Crystal Breath Mint—lead actor—character morphs into a German Shepherd.
Clothing model for the Home Shopping Network.
Demonstration model for the “Dynamics of Isshinryu Karate” book three.
Music video by Wallace Productions ~ lead actor—martial artist—aided with fight choreography.
My competitive career abruptly ended in the mid nineties with the onset of Ménière’s disease, a debilitating inner ear disorder causing severe vertigo, nausea, and hearing loss, and in my case required brain surgery. I developed my own rehabilitation program in efforts to improve balance and eventually rebuilt my consulting business.
In 2020 I received a cancer diagnosis, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, known as CLL. I am in the “watch and wait” phase of the disease. CLL is a slow progressing form of leukemia, and thankfully so far, I have not needed treatment. I counter with a couple of food-based supplements to help with blood building, immunity, and energy levels.
Romans 8:28 says “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” “Got questions” says of this verse “God works all things together for good—both His good and our good. As God is glorified, His people benefit.” Here is what I know, “I love God because He first loved me.”—one of those wondrous mysteries of an infinite and Holy
God.
I enjoy spending time with my wife Michelle and our pup Tenshi, reading God’s Word, and writing. We are members at First Baptist Concord Church in Knoxville.
