561. TV Hit from the '70s Fires His Life's Passion

Mark Goblowsky

Mark’s immigrant family had a hard, sometimes violent edge. Like countless other pre-teens, he was mesmerized every week by the TV show, Kung Fu. Years later, he would begin to understand and live out the values stirred by that 1970’s hit.

Mark Goblowsky is a career martial arts professional, entrepreneur, podcaster and author of “Strength Through Your Struggle.” He experienced his biggest challenge in life when his young son was involved in a hit-and-run collision with two semi-trucks, leaving him with a traumatic brain injury. Mark believes the capacity of the human spirit is powerful enough to overcome any challenge in life. He’s here to help others discover not just how, but that they too have what it takes to overcome adversity.

How Did You Start Using Your Talents?

A 12-year-old’s fascination with martial arts survived his teens, despite a lack of encouragement and financial resources. “I joined the U.S. Air Force and at that point I had both time and resources while serving overseas. I crossed paths with a Kung Fu school, which is what I really wanted to study. But with all the insecurities I had, I found that I was scared to death to cross the threshold of that school. I stood at the door and almost turned and walked away, as I had previously done maybe half a dozen times. I was afraid everybody would know more than I knew and would mop the floor with me. But I realized that the fear of walking through the door was nothing compared with the pain I would feel if I did not take action. I did not want to go through life being scared every day. So, I walked through that door, became a martial arts student, then an instructor. Eventually, when I decided to exit the Air Force, I became a martial arts school owner.”

The Most Impactful Turning Point?

“Practicing martial arts was everything I wanted and more. It gave me everything I was looking for. In my heart, I knew I wanted to help people, and that I loved martial arts. But I didn’t really understand how they were the perfect fit. I had bought a Tony Robbins personal development course. In it, he asked what would you do if you did not have to work. I said, I would do martial arts. Another question was: what do you want to do with your life? I said I want to help people be more powerful, focused, determined, compassionate, kind. Then it dawned on me that I had the perfect formula to deliver that through the martial arts. I decided martial arts would be my career, and I made a conscious choice to become professional and very good at it, and help as many people as I could.”

The Most Powerful Lessons Learned?

“I learned that it is vital to connect with as many people as I can and help them understand the truth, that life’s not always easy, that we are all confronted with challenges, but we are not alone. You do have what it takes. No matter what falls in front of you on your path, you have exactly what it takes to overcome that challenge and achieve your goal.”

On His Bookshelf

It’s Not How Good You Are, It’s How Good You Want to Be, by Paul Arden

Books and CDs by Tony Robbins

Steps to Success from Mark Goblowsky

1. Finding your passion and then executing it is challenging. But when you’re pursuing it, you know you are in the right place.

2. We are all created for a purpose. There is something unique and special inside every single one of us that we must share with the world.

3. Life is hard, and there are struggles, bumps and hills. But since it is going to be challenging anyhow, why not go with that thing in your gut you have always wanted to do? Ultimately, that’s your most likely path, not just to happiness and joy, but to financial success as well.

4. Your passion imbues the very cells of your body. It’s in your DNA. Know it, feel it and express it.