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Mark Caldwell began his martial arts training in June 1982
under Roy Harrington at the Spokane YWCA. Mark was introduced to LOTUS by
his friend, James Harper. Starting in the summer before their freshman year
of high school, Mark and James trained together both in class, and on their
own time outside of class. Mark believes that having a training partner like
this played a key part in shortening the length of time it took to attain
the level of Black Belt.
On September 18, 1986, just two weeks before
moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, Mark earned his 1st
Degree Black Belt in a first-ever triple Black Belt Test. James Harper and
Dave Kovac also each earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in that
test.
Mark moved to Seattle at the end of September, 1986 to begin studies at
the University of Washington. He was forced to suspend his martial arts
training for several years while he finished school. After graduating from
the UW's School of Business, Mark joined with Rob Taylor to open the
Bothell, WA School of LOTUS, at the Northshore YMCA. In the fashion of his
instructor Roy Harrington, Mark led the students through intense workouts
twice per week. Mark also offered
private lessons to those students who wanted the extra teaching time.
Out of this class came three black belts: Peggy Rahm (now 2nd degree), Billy
Rahm, and Rob Taylor, Jr.
ince 1996, Mark has moved into doing more specialized, small group
training, especially working with other LOTUS Black Belts to keep their
skills honed. Currently holding the rank of 3rd Degree Black
Belt, Mark is a key liaison between the Seattle area students and the home
school in Spokane. Mark has done short sets of additional training in Aikido
and Jungyae Moosul in the Seattle area, as well as knife training under
Master-at-Arms Bram Frank. |
