Let's go "limitless" in today's PEP Live as we welcome MARK "MUGEN" STRIEGL! Watch and comment on this live stream now and be part of the show!
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PeopleTranscript
00:00.
00:30Mic check.
00:48Hello.
00:49Mic check.
00:50Mic check.
00:51Hello, hello.
00:52Hello, hello.
00:54Mic check.
00:55One, two.
01:00.
01:10.
01:12.
01:13.
01:14.
01:18.
01:19.
01:21.
01:23.
01:25.
01:27.
01:28.
01:29.
01:36Hi, Pepsters!
01:37Welcome to Pep Live!
01:39I'm Pink.
01:40And this is FK Bravo.
01:42You know what, Pepsters?
01:43I'm sure you're very, very familiar with our guest this afternoon.
01:48He's a SEA Games gold medalist in Sambo, and he's a champion MMA fighter.
01:54He's Physical Asia's Filipino hangman.
01:57Let us all welcome Mark Mugen.
02:00What's up, Pepsters?
02:02Thanks for having me, guys.
02:03For a live audience.
02:05We're so excited to have you here with us today, Mark.
02:08Please greet our Pepsters.
02:10What's up, Pepsters?
02:12Hi from Mandaloyang.
02:14What's up?
02:16Ayan.
02:16So before we get to know more about Mark, we are going to play an icebreaker game called?
02:23It's called Hang or Tap Out.
02:25So we're going to give you situations, and then you can just choose if you want to tap out of the situation or if you want to stick around for it.
02:33Okay.
02:33Okay?
02:34Are you ready?
02:35I'm ready.
02:35Let's go.
02:36Let's go.
02:37Number one.
02:39Hang or Tap Out a Full Digital Detox.
02:44A Full Digital?
02:45Digital.
02:45Digital Detox.
02:46Digital Detox.
02:47Oh, wow.
02:48Definitely tap out.
02:50I couldn't do that.
02:50You couldn't?
02:51Really?
02:52I'm glued to my phone.
02:53Like, I'm older, but I'm glued to my phone.
02:57What's your average screen time?
02:58I don't even check because I don't want to know.
03:01It's probably really bad and really up there.
03:04Really up there.
03:04Because I post a lot of content, right?
03:05And I make a lot of skits.
03:07That's true.
03:07Yeah.
03:07Yeah, I'm on my phone way too much.
03:09I don't think I could do that one.
03:11Tap out.
03:11Yeah, tap out.
03:12Okay.
03:12But what do you like watching online?
03:15Like, do you do a lot of IG or TikTok?
03:18Are you on Facebook or YouTube?
03:20If I'm looking for content and looking for inspiration on bullshido videos or people to, you know, make skits about, then it's usually TikTok or Instagram.
03:32But I watch a lot of Netflix too.
03:34I watch a lot of shows on Netflix.
03:35Different anime, different TV shows.
03:37All right.
03:38Okay.
03:38Do you know the term brain rot?
03:40Yes.
03:41Yes, I know the term brain rot.
03:42Okay.
03:42Would you consider?
03:44Because you're always on social media.
03:47Okay.
03:48Well, anyway, our second situation.
03:50A holiday feast right before training.
03:55Wow.
03:57Hang.
03:57I could do that.
03:58It would be hard, but I could do that.
04:00Worth it.
04:01Worth it.
04:02Totally worth it.
04:02I'm a big foodie.
04:03I love food.
04:04So I would need, as long as I have like 30 minutes in between.
04:08To somewhat digest.
04:10And then I can manage.
04:12Yeah.
04:12I've had that experience so many times through the course of my career.
04:15Like eating too much and then competing.
04:17I have a strong stomach.
04:18I could manage.
04:19Do you cook your own food?
04:22Sometimes.
04:23Sometimes I meal prep on Sundays.
04:25I'll prep for the week.
04:26If I don't have a competition, I eat a lot of different food.
04:28I like fried chicken.
04:29I eat a lot of different unhealthy food, to be honest.
04:32But if I have a comp coming up, then I'll dial in and make my own meal prep.
04:38Do your kids love your cooking?
04:39They do.
04:40Oh, okay.
04:41That's good.
04:42They love my pasta, my cream pasta, my carbonara cream pasta, and my lasagna.
04:48Okay.
04:48Wow.
04:49Okay.
04:50Okay.
04:51Okay.
04:51Okay.
04:51It's so sad.
04:51We should have brought Mark today.
04:55Cooking challenge.
04:56Okay.
04:57Next.
04:58The next one.
04:59Okay.
04:59Weekend yoga retreat.
05:01What's that?
05:02Weekend yoga retreat.
05:03Weekend yoga retreat.
05:04Would you do that?
05:06No.
05:06Tap out.
05:07Meditation.
05:08You can't.
05:09No, I mean, like, I'll stretch at night or before or after training.
05:13But it's like a jock, you know, stretch.
05:16Just like, ah, you know, like.
05:17Yeah.
05:18I'm actually kind of flexible.
05:19But to go through a whole yoga routine and do all the positions.
05:25And then silence.
05:26Which I have done before, actually, you know, in college.
05:28I've taken yoga classes before.
05:29Oh.
05:30So I know the different positions here.
05:33But, yeah, with the silence, like, I don't think I could manage.
05:36Tap out.
05:36Tap out.
05:37So what do you usually do when you have free time?
05:40Like, how do you spend your free days?
05:42What was really time with the family and good food.
05:47Just a nice meal and Netflix and just hanging out.
05:50My kids are really into a movie night with popcorn right now.
05:54They're going through a popcorn phase.
05:55Movie night.
05:56So, yeah, we have our movie nights with super buttery popcorn.
06:00So I'll make sure my calorie intake isn't too high before that because I have to make room for the buttery popcorn.
06:06But downtime is usually movie night with the kids or just hanging out.
06:11What's the last movie that you've watched with your family?
06:16Well, we were traveling before this.
06:18And then in Baguio, we watched, I think we watched The Incredibles.
06:23I think I introduced the kids to The Incredibles, the cartoon.
06:27And they watched part one.
06:28So next we're going to watch part two.
06:30All right.
06:31Very good.
06:32Are you strict with snack intake?
06:34Like, are you and your wife strict with snack intake for your kids?
06:38Not really.
06:40We try to introduce healthy foods to them.
06:43We don't.
06:45Yeah, we want them to be healthy.
06:46And we want to promote fitness and sports with them because my wife used to play volleyball at Attena.
06:51So we're both athletes.
06:54And, yeah, we want them to have a healthy lifestyle, active lifestyle.
06:57But we're not too crazy.
06:59If they want a cookie or they want something, we'll give them.
07:02But in general, we try to keep their diet pretty healthy.
07:05Okay.
07:06All right.
07:06Okay.
07:07Next question.
07:08Hang or tap out.
07:10Start a school for athletes.
07:13Would you do that?
07:16Hang.
07:17I think that would be, you know, as long as the timing, the timing would have to be right.
07:21But that's something that I do enjoy.
07:24My wife's school in Baguio, Christian Legacy Academy.
07:27My wife, her family business is they run a Christian school in Baguio.
07:33So sometimes when I'm up there, I'll teach PE to the students.
07:36So I do enjoy coaching.
07:38And with the Sambo team, even though I am active as a Sambo athlete for the Philippine team, I still do coach some of the younger fighters.
07:46So, yeah, I think, yeah, I can hang with that one.
07:50That could be fun.
07:50Do you think teaching runs in your blood?
07:52Because your parents are both teachers.
07:55Yes.
07:55My parents are both international school teachers.
07:58So, yeah, I think there's something there.
08:02Yeah, it's funny, though.
08:03My parents, the funny thing is my parents weren't athletes.
08:07My parents are teachers.
08:08So they have no, they don't do sports.
08:11But my brother does sports and I do sports.
08:14So maybe it skipped a generation or maybe they have it there, but they just never tapped into it.
08:18I'm not sure.
08:19So what is it like if you're there in Baguio teaching students from your wife's school?
08:26It's fun.
08:27I try not to be too intense and just have fun with the kids and, you know, cater to the level.
08:34And it's more for general fitness and just general fitness so that they can do well and have the fitness to carry into their different sports.
08:43All right.
08:44Okay.
08:45Our next one, run for politics.
08:49Tap out.
08:50Tap out.
08:51You don't see it in you?
08:52No, no, no.
08:54Yeah, I think I'd have to, definitely I'd have to learn Tagalog for that one, too.
08:59That's true.
09:00That's number one.
09:00But no, I, yeah, no interest there.
09:04So, okay.
09:06Okay.
09:07Okay.
09:07Finally, enter showbiz.
09:11Showbiz.
09:12I did, you know, I've done a few projects over the years.
09:16I did have Keys.
09:19I did Keys to the Heart with Zanjo Marudo, which was a Netflix movie.
09:22Yes.
09:23Where I played, I had no beard at the time.
09:25And I played a villain.
09:26I played like a real jerk of a character who was making fun of him and his autistic brother.
09:32So, it was like a horrible human being, just a horrible person, you know.
09:35But that was fun.
09:37That was a fun project.
09:38And then recently, I did Sins of the Father with Gerald Anderson.
09:42Oh, wow.
09:42We had an action scene.
09:44So, I think depending on the project, you know, if an offer comes and if the project is something along the lines of action or fight sport, I definitely, I'd be interested.
09:54Yeah.
09:54And you were also in Ganda Rapido with Vice Ganda before, right?
09:59Yes, that was a long time ago.
10:00Yes, I did do that.
10:02I played one of the mercenaries of EJ Falcon.
10:06I think I played like his mercenary sidekick.
10:10And I had a cool fight scene with Vice and with Daniel Padilla.
10:15So, would you prefer doing an action project or are you comfortable doing comedy?
10:22Comedy.
10:23Definitely action.
10:24I could never see myself doing comedy.
10:26Really?
10:26What if it's like rush hour or something like that?
10:29Yeah.
10:30Yeah, actually.
10:31That could be fun.
10:31Right?
10:31Because that's kind of similar to my Bullshido skits, too.
10:35Yes, yes.
10:36Yeah, there's some similarity there.
10:38Something like that, perhaps.
10:40Oh.
10:41Okay.
10:41So, for our Q&A, I'm sure you're excited, Pexsters, to know more about Mark's experience in Physical Asia.
10:52Yeah, let's talk about Physical Asia, of course.
10:55Yeah, that was a crazy, crazy experience.
10:58Great experience.
10:59We shot it back in February, all the way back in February.
11:03So, huge post-editing and waiting process.
11:08That's true.
11:09For it to come out end of October.
11:11So, yeah.
11:13Overall, just an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience.
11:16And, yeah, I feel super blessed to be a part of it.
11:19And you never know how it's going to come out after editing, right?
11:22Yeah.
11:22So, I had anxiety for like eight months, you know.
11:25Just thinking about it.
11:26And I'm like, oh, my gosh.
11:27Like, I have no idea how many episodes are we going to be in.
11:30And everything's really – we didn't know who won.
11:34Oh, you had no idea?
11:36Even after you taped the whole thing?
11:38I had no idea.
11:38Because we flew back after we lost.
11:42And then the people that won, they continued taping.
11:45So, really had no idea and just had to wait until end of October.
11:49How did you find the show now that you've seen it?
11:51How was it?
11:51Like, was it everything you remembered or no?
11:55Honestly, it is everything I remembered.
11:58And it's just really good storytelling.
12:00And one of the questions that I've gotten over the last few weeks is, you know,
12:05was everything really like that?
12:07And it really was.
12:08It really was.
12:09You know, I mean, the sets are all just like that.
12:12One person thought it was CG.
12:14Someone asked me, like, is there CG?
12:16And I'm like, no.
12:16Like, those sets are all –
12:17That's crazy.
12:18Yeah, like, those sets are all real.
12:20We really walk onto set and we see everything.
12:23And we just have to perform and go.
12:25So, yeah, all the storytelling, everything really happened.
12:28It's just, yeah, super dramatic.
12:31And, yeah, that's really what happened.
12:33It was really dramatic on set, too.
12:35Because, like, I mean, as we see it, it's very dramatic because of the editing,
12:40the transitions and everything.
12:42But on set, was it –
12:43Oh, yeah.
12:44Or was it, like, super quick that it happened?
12:46Did it all happen super quick?
12:48It's really dramatic on set and just everything that's building, you know,
12:52from the ball wrestling, for example.
12:54I mean, it really was that dramatic.
12:56That's why I was losing my mind and screaming, you know, for Lara, you know,
13:00for Lara and Robin, you know, in that clutch moment.
13:03Clutch queen.
13:04Shout out, Lara.
13:05Clutch queen.
13:06Yeah, it really was that dramatic because it's back-to-back.
13:09I almost lost in the first round against Sonny.
13:12I was able to rebound and, you know, get past the halfway point in the overtime round.
13:18And then it came down to Lara's match.
13:21And in my head, I was like, okay, like, I have to go again with Sonny if they lose here.
13:26Which, of course, I was ready to go again if I had to.
13:29But I was exhausted, too, you know.
13:31Like, we had a grueling battle, me and Sonny, the rugby player from Thailand.
13:35So, when Lara won, it was, yeah, amazing.
13:38And what was it like for you, especially with that grappling, with, were you fighting?
13:45What team were you fighting at that time when you did wrestling?
13:50That was Thailand.
13:51That was the elimination deathmatch against Thailand because we lost in the shipwreck challenge before that.
13:57Yeah.
13:57So, the four bottom countries had to compete in the deathmatch elimination.
14:03Japan chose Indonesia.
14:06Right.
14:06And we got paired with Thailand.
14:08Right.
14:08How long was the resting period before you got to the deathmatch?
14:12Before we got to the deathmatch?
14:14Not too long.
14:16Like, shoots were pretty, were pretty, pretty tight.
14:19Really?
14:19That's why I had my whole shoulder taped up, you know.
14:22Okay.
14:23Yeah, you really have to be in top physical and mental shape for that, for that show.
14:30Because it felt like the other teams underestimated the Philippine team prior to that win that you did, right?
14:40Yeah, I think there was, there was a little bit, yeah, maybe there was a little bit of that just, just because of our size too.
14:46I think, you know, we weren't as big as some of the other countries, like Australia.
14:51Definitely Australia were huge, right?
14:53Like, Eddie's the biggest guy on the show, the heavyweight of Australia.
14:55Yeah.
14:56It's like 150 plus kilos, maybe more.
14:59I can't remember.
14:59Who is such a softy, by the way.
15:01But yeah, he's such a nice guy.
15:02Yeah, he's such a good teddy bear.
15:03Yeah.
15:04Yeah, then Turkey, Korea, they're all giant countries, right?
15:08So I think we were, maybe not the smallest country, but we're definitely, yeah, one of the smallest countries.
15:15I think you defeated your, the other contenders with your technique and your sheer willpower.
15:23Because I think, I felt like it was really such a dramatic moment when you won that game.
15:27And you could, even as an audience, you could feel the frustration of the other team who you defeated.
15:35And, but, you know, even if it was so challenging during the game afterwards, the sportsmanship between you guys is really inspiring.
15:46Yeah, yeah.
15:47No, that's the, that's the thing.
15:48Because everyone's, you know, everyone's such a high-level athlete on the show.
15:52And there's so many good, good athletes from every country that everyone is so competitive and willing to leave it all out there.
16:00But at the same time, there's real good sportsmanship and respect.
16:04Yeah.
16:04You know, so after Sonny and I, we shaked hands.
16:06And yeah, that was just an exhausting match.
16:08I remember carrying me over and I joked that it was like a big brother.
16:15The thoughts that were actually going through my head was if he brings me over and scores with me on his back,
16:22I'm going to become a meme.
16:24That actually popped into my head while I was on his back.
16:26I'm like, no.
16:26Oh my gosh.
16:27As it was happening?
16:28As it was happening.
16:29Like, everything slowed down.
16:32Like, everything slowed down.
16:33And then when I watched it, I was like, oh, it's so fast.
16:35You're so immersed in social media culture.
16:38Meme was the first thing that came to your mind.
16:40I really wouldn't become a meme, though.
16:41Can you imagine that?
16:42Yeah.
16:42You know, like a Sambo athlete, MMA fighter gets, you know.
16:46Becomes a meme.
16:46Yeah.
16:47And carried by this big guy.
16:48And then he scores.
16:49And I'm just like on his back like, you guys.
16:51You know.
16:51Wow.
16:52So that's why I jumped off.
16:53And I'm like, oh, no.
16:54Like, abort mission.
16:55I gotta stop him right here.
16:57I think all the other players were just impressed after that scene.
17:03Right?
17:04Yeah, yeah, yeah.
17:05It was a grueling experience, right?
17:08I still really wonder about the resting periods.
17:11Because, like, I saw, I read one of them.
17:14I think it was Eddie who said, you guys were super spoiled with food.
17:19But there was just, like, one or two days in between matches?
17:23Yeah.
17:24Or in between quests?
17:26Yeah.
17:26We really didn't have too much time in between quests.
17:29On occasion, if we're really exhausted and the quests were especially grueling, they would give us a day off.
17:37Oh, okay.
17:37We didn't have that much rest in between.
17:40I mean, as far as the diet and stuff, yeah, we had a nice dining hall with steak and all this healthy food.
17:47Yeah.
17:47But that was also part of my problem because I love to eat.
17:49So I was, like, limiting myself every single day.
17:52Yeah.
17:52You know, even though it's healthy food, like, you can go overboard and just, you know, have too many calories, right?
17:57Then it would slow me down in the competition.
17:59So every day was, I was trying to diet and eat clean and, like, you know, resist my temptations to pig out at the dining hall, basically.
18:09Now, which challenge humbled you the most?
18:12The one that made you go, okay, I need to train a little bit differently after this?
18:18Probably shipwreck.
18:21Probably shipwreck because that was so, yeah, we lost that one.
18:28And, yeah, that was, I was so exhausted.
18:31Like, two minutes in, I grabbed the, I think it was a 60-kilo sack because I didn't realize that, Justin also did too,
18:40and we didn't realize that there were three 20-kilo sacks that were tied together.
18:44Yeah.
18:45We thought they were all individual, but there was, like, a string of them.
18:47Yes, yes.
18:47And then I grabbed one, just, I didn't realize, and it was by accident.
18:52And then I carried that over.
18:53And that was maybe just one or two minutes into the 20-minute quest.
18:59And right when I grabbed that and lifted it and threw it at the top of the ship, the loading area,
19:06my heart rate was already, like, you know, like, just exploded.
19:10And, like, I was already, like, adrenaline pumping and everything.
19:12And it was two minutes in.
19:14Yeah.
19:14And I was like, oh, my God, this is going to be brutal.
19:16So, and then just pushing the mining cart with Justin, like, that was, that was, like, a really exhausting, brutal quest.
19:23That was so hard.
19:24That looked really hard.
19:25Yeah.
19:26Like, even as the audience watching it, I was, like, as you can see how hard it was for them.
19:31Yeah.
19:32But maybe at first glance, before the game started, maybe did it look easy at first, but no, right?
19:39Yeah, it looked easy.
19:39No, at first, when you just look at it at first, but when you experience it, it's unexpected.
19:44Yeah, that's true.
19:45It wasn't as, I think, like, with the water, with the, with shipwreck, because from the area where the crates are and all the sacks, the sacks of sand are, there's water and then there's slippery stairs.
19:57So, like, really the footing was tricky.
19:59Yeah.
19:59And it looked, yeah, it looked a little bit easier.
20:02I was like, okay, that can't be that hard.
20:03But then when I grabbed the 60 kilo sack, you know, going up the slippery stairs, I was like, oh, my God.
20:09And then my heart's going to explode through my chest.
20:11Yeah.
20:11Yeah, that was, that was probably the most difficult.
20:15That match and that quest and the death match with Sunny were probably the most difficult for me.
20:20But the shipwreck challenge actually sparked a lot of debate online.
20:25And do you, do you agree that when people say that it was a strategy issue more than a skill issue?
20:32I was about to ask.
20:32Yeah.
20:34There's always going to be hindsight bias, right?
20:36Yes.
20:36Yes, yes, yes.
20:37Like, definitely there's some things we could have switched.
20:40But at the same time, I think, I think some of the other countries also did the same strategy
20:44as us, where they moved things like in a chain from, from the crates and sandbag area.
20:50They moved things like a few people here moving to here, a few people here moving up to here.
20:54So there are some things we could have done differently.
20:58Maybe we should have shifted and moved people around in different positions.
21:01But, you know, at the same time, like Mongolia, Mongolia, they, they just pushed so much wins.
21:08Yeah.
21:08I mean, their score was so high.
21:10So I, I don't know, like, even if we changed the strategy, maybe we still would have ended
21:15up in the death match there, right?
21:16Yeah.
21:17So it's, it's hard to say.
21:19Okay.
21:19If you can steal a competitor's strength, who's would you choose or which one of the
21:27other players?
21:29Eddie's raw power.
21:30So I just throw, you know, like throw the sandbag so far.
21:34It was just nothing for him.
21:36I know.
21:36And I think that we were all surprised with his endurance too, because they were going
21:41at that challenge for so long.
21:43So he's, he's not just a strong man.
21:45He has crazy endurance.
21:46Exactly.
21:47You'd think he'd gas out at that point.
21:49But no problem.
21:49Yeah.
21:49He just kept throwing it so far, which of course, you know, made it difficult for, for Justin.
21:55Justin.
21:56Yeah.
21:56Props to Justin.
21:57Yes.
21:57Justin's, Justin's the man, you know.
21:59Justin's the man.
21:59Coming in and subbing in and going toe to toe with the season two winner, Amontino.
22:05So yeah, Justin's a beast.
22:07But yeah, that, that made it hard.
22:09And I know Eddie wasn't doing that on purpose, throwing it so far.
22:12So he's just trying to clear the thing, right?
22:13Because he wants to make sure he does well and stays in as well.
22:16But definitely it did make it a little challenging for Justin because.
22:20He had to run.
22:21He had to run.
22:22And basically he'd get one less throw.
22:23He'd get one less throw versus everybody else.
22:26Yes.
22:26So that was the tricky part.
22:29Amen.
22:30Okay.
22:32Now for.
22:33Oh, wait.
22:34Can I just ask one more about physical Asia?
22:37How did it feel that everyone was like, well, Philippines,
22:41team Philippines was the last to enter and everyone was like,
22:44I don't know if it's just the editing, but like.
22:47Everyone was really excited.
22:50Yeah.
22:50Someone said like the most legendary person in the competition is here.
22:54And then Manu Pacquiao and the editing was so good.
22:57It's like.
22:58No, that was, that was amazing.
23:00They didn't tell us that we were going to enter late.
23:03So the producers didn't tell us that actually,
23:04that we were going to enter last.
23:06They didn't tell us.
23:06So we just entered thinking it was just our turn.
23:09And then we saw all the other countries.
23:11And then we saw all the athletes, you know,
23:14applauding the legendary Manu Pacquiao.
23:17So yeah, super, super cool.
23:19Yeah.
23:20Super cool experience.
23:21Yeah.
23:22Just awesome.
23:22An honor to be teammates with Manu, of course.
23:25Right.
23:25How are you guys off camp?
23:26Did you get to bond even in between the taping?
23:31Yes.
23:32Yes.
23:32Yeah, definitely.
23:33We, we hung out.
23:34We hung out on set in between taping.
23:38Yeah.
23:39Mani was, yeah, Mani's, Mani's the best.
23:41He was giving us tips about, you know,
23:43having a long career and about diet and nutrition.
23:46He was giving us, giving us and some of the other athletes from the other countries
23:50advice in between, on set, in between takes.
23:55Okay.
23:55Speaking of training, well, the segue, speaking of training, well,
24:00what's one training method you think most people would say this is borderline
24:05self-inflicted torture that you swear by, by the way?
24:13Maybe sauna, maybe sauna training, but a lot of people like sauna,
24:17but the way I do sauna is a little crazy.
24:19I, I stay in there for a very long time and I like a really piping hot sauna.
24:24So that's the part that's a little brutal and exhausting, you know?
24:28Like, you can feel the, like, yeah, when I keep pouring the, I keep pouring the, I like,
24:33I don't like the, um, what's it?
24:36The thermal sauna.
24:37The, yeah, I don't like those.
24:39They're not as hot.
24:39So I like the rock sauna, the stone sauna, yeah.
24:42And I just keep pouring the water.
24:45Wow.
24:45And steaming up the ground.
24:46Super hot.
24:46So I like that and I'll usually go like 20 minutes on the first one, take a little break
24:51and go back for 15 minutes.
24:53Wow.
24:54Your skin would be so tender.
24:56Yeah.
24:56Yeah.
24:56How many times a week do you usually train?
25:00Um, every day, every day, except for Sundays.
25:03I've been doing that for, for a long time.
25:06Yeah.
25:06Since, uh, since I was a teenager and training almost every day.
25:10Every day for how many hours?
25:13Depending on the session, you know, that's, I get that question a lot, but if you're training
25:17a maximum intensity, you can't do like a three hour training session, right?
25:21Your body's going to break down.
25:22Um, so, you know, I might do a strength of conditioning just on one day, but it's only
25:2745 minutes, but it's super intense and heart's going to explode.
25:30It feels like that, you know, or it might be a three hour sesh where there's more technique
25:35and a little more, uh, and some sparring.
25:38So it just depends on the day.
25:40Of course, that takes a lot of discipline and you started this from a very young age,
25:43right?
25:44Like when you got into sports, would you say, um, you're that, um, like you have such a,
25:51strong will in anything you pursue, would you say like, even as a child, I think I saw
25:57an interview of you before where you said like your parents did not even like, even
26:03when they knew you were getting into combat sports, they did not even try to, um, stop
26:10discourage you or stop you.
26:11I was, I was lucky with that, that they, cause no parents, I mean, now that I have kids too,
26:17like, I don't, I don't want to see my kids get punched in the face.
26:20Right.
26:20Like it's pretty brutal.
26:21Right.
26:22Yeah.
26:22Um, but you know, they saw how passionate I was about it and that I was winning and you
26:29know, that was another thing too.
26:30You know, if I was losing all my fights and coming home, like with black guys every day,
26:34that would be another story.
26:35Right.
26:35So I'm sure they'd be like, okay, maybe you should, you know, like think about another
26:39career.
26:40Right.
26:40Exactly.
26:40So definitely winning, uh, helped, uh, convince them.
26:43Oh, okay.
26:44But, um, no, but yeah, they saw that I was passionate about it and I was really, you know, working
26:49hard.
26:49Do you think, do you think even if they stopped you from pursuing it, you would still pursue
26:54it?
26:55I've never really thought about it cause they, they've always supported me.
26:59I've been lucky.
27:00They've always supported me.
27:01Um, but if they did tell me, no, like I probably, I'd probably listen to them and follow.
27:07Oh, were you like that as a child and obedient, very obedient?
27:12Sometimes, sometimes not.
27:14Um, there's two, two, two of us.
27:16My older brother was a little more obedient.
27:18I was, I was the younger, more rebellious.
27:22I was the more rebellious one that would get in fights with my older brother.
27:25And it was usually my fault.
27:27Um, he was the good, yeah, he was the good older brother.
27:31It's usually my fault, yeah.
27:32How does being an athlete, um, develop your character over time?
27:36Um, have you tempered that, um, rebellious streak that you had as a kid?
27:42Yeah, yeah, I think so.
27:43Especially in a sport like MMA or combat sports where you're humbled regularly in competition
27:50or in the gym, right?
27:51You know that you're, you know, that, uh, you know, there are levels and that, uh, you
27:57know, anything can happen.
27:58Um, and, um, yeah, I think, I just believe in the power of sport that, you know, sports
28:03can change lives and that for kids and, and people that, um, you know, instills great
28:09values, uh, discipline, hard work, you know, and those are the things that I want to push
28:13on to, uh, for my kids to explore, um, through sport as well.
28:17Um, okay.
28:18Um, okay.
28:19Well, you're preparing for Asia Oceana Samba Tournament next year, June, 2026.
28:26What, um, weakness do you want to confront head on as you prepare for the tournament?
28:31Yeah.
28:32I mean, I don't know, uh, you say weakness or like challenges.
28:38Challenges.
28:39Yeah.
28:40I mean, I don't, yeah.
28:41I mean, I'm just going to come in really good shape, you know, like I always do and,
28:44um, and fight hard.
28:46And, um, yeah, it's, it's, it's, uh, it's a big tournament cause it's the Asian Oceana
28:51championship.
28:52So with this tournament, you have all of the really strong stand countries, like Kazakhstan,
28:58Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, um, uh, Mongolia is there too.
29:04I believe Mongolia is there too.
29:06Yeah.
29:06So a lot of, uh, Kyrgyzstan, a lot of strong countries.
29:08So it's going to be a, uh, stacked tournament.
29:11So I'll just come in really good shape and make sure that I have a good, uh, training camp
29:15leading up to it.
29:16You're not going to change anything about your, how you train.
29:19Um, I might do some CrossFit leading up to it because I mean, I have, I have done CrossFit
29:24in the past, but you know, CrossFit's, it's a really tough sport and it really pushes the
29:31strength and conditioning and muscle endurance and, and the mind.
29:34Right.
29:34I mean, you know, perfect example is Laura down to three seconds and she's still in it
29:39and still believes in herself and just starts pulling like deadlifting three bodies, you
29:44know, so, um, yeah, clutch queen, clutch queen.
29:47Um, so yeah, I think I'll do some, a little more, I'll incorporate a little more CrossFit
29:52into my training for my strength and conditioning.
29:54Okay.
29:56Do you, as a, as an athlete, do you envision that winning moment?
30:01Like when you practice?
30:03Should we, what's it?
30:05Um, I don't really visualize getting my, my hand raised or, or, uh, that winning moment.
30:14Um, I don't really visualize that.
30:17I mean, I visualize more sequences in sport, you know, like being in good positions and,
30:23you know, um, you know, dominating through different, uh, positions, whether it's, uh,
30:29striking or grappling or, or different positions, but I don't, uh, really visualize that winning
30:33moment.
30:34I just, you know, visualize the position.
30:36So it becomes, you know, muscle memory and part of my body and then go out and just do
30:41my best.
30:42Do you ever know if you're going to win or lose, um, the game halfway through the match?
30:49Do you get like an idea?
30:51Oh, I think this is a, um, yeah, sometimes it just doesn't go your way, you know, but
30:57I mean, for me, I never, I always keep trying, you know, I never, I never have a moment like
31:04halfway through where it's, you know, it's like, oh, I'm going to lose, you know, like
31:08I'll just give up.
31:09I'll just give up.
31:10Yeah, I know.
31:10I'll always keep trying until the final bell, you know, cause that's, you know, you have
31:14to have that, that dog in you if you're, especially if you're a combat sport athlete.
31:18Yeah.
31:19Cause you never know how it would come out.
31:21Right.
31:21Like, cause, um, I remember Mike with Michael Phelps, um, he's able to visualize the timing
31:28of, you know, he knows that he get, he get, he would win the game because of that, um, practice.
31:34But with combat sports, it's really different.
31:37Yeah.
31:38Well, combat sports, it's, it's, uh, it's a, it's a crazy sport because, you know, anything
31:44can happen, right?
31:45Anything can happen.
31:46We've seen it before where a guy, especially MMA, cause the gloves are very small and there's
31:50so many ways you can win.
31:51So, you know, there are fights where someone is dominating the other person and then suddenly
31:56the lucky punch.
31:57I don't really believe in a lucky punch, but that happens.
31:59Right.
32:00Cause I mean, you could call it lucky, but like the person is still throwing with intention
32:04to knock you out.
32:05Right.
32:06So, um, but yeah, that happens sometimes a lucky punch or, or a random submission out of
32:12nowhere, but it's because that person is still really trying and they're still trying to
32:17win, you know, desperately, even if they're down on the scorecard.
32:21So, um, yeah, that's what makes MMA and fight sport, uh, so exciting.
32:26What's the worst injury that you got from your whole career?
32:30Um, my left, uh, orbital, I have a titanium plate in my left, uh, orbital.
32:36Ooh.
32:36Yeah.
32:37Yeah.
32:37In, uh, in my first fight in the UFC, I, uh, had it, uh, fractured my left orbital, um,
32:44from, uh, from a punch, but it was, uh, from a Russian fighter, Russian fighter, a Russian
32:49fighter named, uh, Said Nurmagomedov.
32:52Named.
32:53I remember.
32:53Yeah, of course I remember.
32:55Okay.
32:55Um, but yeah, it's, um, it was, the area was actually already injured from a fight I had
33:00in Macau, like 10 years ago.
33:02Um, I got head kicked by a Japanese fighter.
33:04Um, I won that fight in Macau, but the area, the orbital didn't heal properly.
33:09Um, and I had, it, it was like a hairline fracture and then some doctors, two out of
33:14three doctors said I didn't need surgery.
33:15One doctor said I needed surgery, but I went with two out of three.
33:18And then years later in the UFC, the area broke open again and the fractured.
33:24Yeah.
33:24So they needed, we had a crazy surgery to, uh, put in a mesh titanium plate.
33:29So it goes off every time I go through the airport, actually.
33:32No, I'm just kidding.
33:33No, it doesn't happen.
33:35That was one of my questions though.
33:36I was going to ask, but I was like, well, it might be a stupid question.
33:40Well, who gets freaked out the most every time you get injuries, your wife or your mom
33:46or you?
33:47Um, for me, it's, it's, it's definitely not me.
33:51Cause you have, I mean, well, you have so much adrenaline too in the fight, you know,
33:54that you don't really feel the injuries until, until the morning after it's usually the
33:59shower in the morning.
33:59Until you face the doctor.
34:00Yeah.
34:00Yeah.
34:01Cause well, you have little cuts on your body too and like scrapes from the, from the
34:05mat.
34:05Yeah.
34:05That's when you start feeling it.
34:06And yeah, when the hot water goes on your body and all your cuts are there, then you,
34:10it stings and you feel it.
34:12Um, but maybe my wife or, or my mom.
34:16Maybe my wife or my mom.
34:17For sure.
34:18For sure.
34:18My wife usually, uh, has a few beers if she's there live and watching the fight.
34:23Yeah.
34:23Just, uh, blow off some steam.
34:26How about your kids?
34:28They're, they're, uh, six and four.
34:29So.
34:30Ah, they have.
34:30Still a little too young.
34:32Yeah.
34:33Still a little too young.
34:34Oh, in your experience, what do you think holds athletes back more?
34:42Lack of resources or lack of discipline?
34:46More.
34:46Hmm.
34:47I think discipline, you know, I think if you really want something, of course you need
34:54resources and you need opportunity, you know, but, you know, just if we're talking about
35:00athletes from anywhere, I think it's a discipline, you know, cause it's, you know, it's easy to
35:06get distracted or get high on a win, you know, and like lose sight of the goal or, and, you
35:14know, to be motivated and train every single day, you know, it, uh, that's, that's the, that's
35:18the difficult part.
35:21Did it, did that ever happen to you?
35:23Like you got distracted along the way?
35:25Oh yeah.
35:26You wanted to take a different path?
35:27Um, no, not, not, not, not really to be honest.
35:31Um, I've always been pretty focused on fight sport and, um, when I joined the Philippine
35:37team, that was, you know, for me, that was one of the coolest things cause, cause MMA
35:42is still individual, you know, and you're, you're fighting in the cage alone.
35:45But even though in combat Sambo or sports Sambo, you're still fighting individually, but you're
35:51with the Philippine team, you travel to different countries and it's a different feeling.
35:55It's special when you're really representing the country as a Philippine team national
35:58member.
36:00So yeah, I've always been focused on, on sports and always, uh, been, uh, yeah, eyes on
36:06the prize, I guess.
36:08Okay.
36:08Speaking of national teams, well, this is kind of controversial, but do you personally, do
36:13you believe the government is doing enough to support the national teams, our national
36:19athletes?
36:20Yeah, I, I, you know, um, I do, I do think so.
36:24You know, I think that things have changed a lot from how they used to be, you know, like
36:2820 years ago, 30 years ago.
36:30Um, and you know, I've, I've seen that being part of the Sambo national team.
36:34Okay.
36:35And, um, you know, from when we hosted, when I joined the Sambo team, that was 2019.
36:40And that was when we also hosted the sea games.
36:42So I, I felt the impact and, uh, saw it with my own eyes, you know, um, I think things
36:48are a lot better now than they used to be in the past.
36:50Okay.
36:51Hmm.
36:52Um, next question.
36:55What hurts more losing to someone better or losing to someone you think you should have,
37:00um, defeated easily?
37:03Hmm.
37:04Um, maybe it's kind of different, but I think second place hurts more than third
37:14place.
37:15Yeah.
37:16Right.
37:16Yeah.
37:16You know what I mean?
37:17You could have won it.
37:18Yeah.
37:18Second place, you know, is the first loser.
37:22That's what I, that's how I always think.
37:23Because there's a quote like, no one remembers second best.
37:26Yes, yes, exactly.
37:28See, and if you get third place, I mean, it's a little different from your question, but
37:31if you get third place, it's like, okay, there's still work to do.
37:34Yeah.
37:34Yeah.
37:35You know, like I, I just got to the podium.
37:37Okay.
37:38That's cool.
37:38You'll be disappointed of course, but it's like, there's still work to do.
37:41I still have to level up.
37:43Right.
37:43There's still two guys in front of me, but when you're second place, it's like, I was
37:47that close.
37:47You know, like almost there.
37:49Oh my gosh.
37:50I just, I did something stupid.
37:51If I, if I changed my strategy, maybe I could have won.
37:54You know, so yeah, second place sucks.
37:57So how do you rise up again after a fall?
38:00You just have to, you know, train the next day.
38:04Get to, you know, of course you'll be down, but you have to use that as motivation, as
38:10fuel, you know, you have to have that fire burning and yeah, just eyes on the prize
38:16and keep pushing.
38:17And, you know, I remember in, yeah, in wrestling, you have to be a little obsessed.
38:22I remember when I was younger, you know, I was pretty obsessed in, in wrestling.
38:25And when I had my first loss, I, I had my first loss in sixth grade.
38:32It's so funny.
38:32I remember their names.
38:33Marcel Gaddison.
38:35Yeah.
38:35I remember my classmates who were so into wrestling.
38:38Were you one of those kids who were just like, I was so into wrestling.
38:41It was my first year.
38:42Like, well, it wasn't WWE wrestling.
38:44This is Olympic style wrestling.
38:45So like, um, like, um, freestyle wrestling and yeah, like I remember my, uh, my very
38:51first loss, my only loss that year too, very competitive guy.
38:56So it was my only loss that year for that whole wrestling season.
39:00It was against this guy, Marcel Gaddison from, uh, from Yokota, uh, from one of the U S military
39:05schools.
39:06And I trained like the whole summer after that.
39:11And I was so excited to try to get my rematch the next year for, uh, in seventh grade.
39:16And then I found out that he transferred, no, that he stopped wrestling and joined the
39:20band team.
39:20Oh no.
39:22I was like, what the hell?
39:23This is like, I didn't get my redemption, like from wrestling to band.
39:28I was like, okay, I guess it's just not meant to be.
39:30You did that.
39:31And you carried it with you for a year?
39:33Yeah.
39:34And I carried it for years.
39:35So like, you know, I just, I trained so hard.
39:37You'll forever be.
39:38I still remember his name, you know.
39:40You'll forever lose to me.
39:41Have you seen him again?
39:4230 years later, I still remember his name.
39:43You should see him again.
39:45I don't even know.
39:45See him again.
39:46Maybe I'll check him, I'll search him on IG to see if his name shows up.
39:50Okay, now, because we've wrapped up with career questions and physical Asia, we want to get
39:58to know you more on a personal level, more personal level, like outside the ring, outside
40:04the ring, outside of Sambo MMA.
40:07What do you think most people don't know about you at this point?
40:14Um, I mean, I like to cook.
40:20That's one thing I talked about, you know.
40:22Oh, I really like ceramics.
40:25That's so random.
40:26Oh my God.
40:27Ceramics.
40:27In high school, I was part of the IB arts program for ceramics.
40:31So I'm really, I can, I can, I'm quite good with the wheel.
40:35You also have a creative side.
40:38And it was, the IB ceramics program was before wrestling after school.
40:42So basically, I would relax, uh, in ceramics class and make these like large pots and large
40:50plates.
40:50Wow.
40:51And then I would go wrestle after that.
40:52So it was like, uh, it was like, uh, clearing my mind thing.
40:56And like, that's your version of yoga.
40:58Yes, that's my version of yoga.
41:00Exactly.
41:00Yeah.
41:01Well, cause I was going to ask if you developed that hobby during the pandemic, because everyone's
41:05doing home run.
41:06Yeah.
41:06Right.
41:07During the pandemic.
41:08But yeah, no, even before earlier on, this was high school in Tokyo, Japan.
41:12So I'm actually, yeah, I want to buy a, a wheel, but it's, it's quite an expensive
41:17hobby.
41:18You need to get a kiln, you need to get a wheel full on.
41:22You need to get all the glazes, you know?
41:23Oh my gosh.
41:24Yeah.
41:24And you need a lot of storage space because you have to dry them out and pantries or cupboards.
41:29So, but I'll probably get back into it.
41:31Good hobby though.
41:33You also lived in Tokyo, right?
41:34You have leverage on it.
41:35Cause you also lived in Tokyo.
41:36What's that called?
41:37That pottery where you put together the broken pieces?
41:42Kintsugi.
41:43Sorry.
41:44Kintsugi.
41:45Oh my gosh.
41:46Correct me guys.
41:47Sorry.
41:47I can't remember guys.
41:48Yeah.
41:49Anyways.
41:51Anyway.
41:51Okay.
41:52So you mentioned you've lived, you lived in Tokyo before, also in California.
41:58Yes.
41:58Now, when you went back here in the Philippines, what made you settle down in Baguio?
42:03So I got offered my third professional fight in Baguio.
42:08That was my first time going to Baguio.
42:10That was in 2011 or 10, I believe.
42:16And it was my third professional fight against one of the champions from Team Lakai.
42:22Okay.
42:22And that was my first experience in Baguio.
42:26And even from that fight, I fell in love with the city.
42:29I liked the, you know, the city of Pines, the vacation capital of the Philippines, the
42:33cold mist rolling through.
42:35And I won my fight.
42:37So I had good memories of the city, you know.
42:40And at the time I was still living in Japan because I moved back from San Diego for college.
42:45And then in that same fight against that Japanese guy that fractured my orbital in Macau, I
42:55injured my knee also in that fight.
42:58So I needed a place to do rehab and to get my legs strong again.
43:01So I thought, why not go back to Baguio?
43:03Baguio.
43:04I love the city.
43:05And of course, I saw all over the news that Manny Pacquiao was doing all of his strength
43:09and conditioning there.
43:10Yeah.
43:10Yeah.
43:10So I thought of that.
43:11And I said, okay, the elevation is going to be really good for my body.
43:14I can bring my strength and conditioning to another level.
43:18So, yeah, that was why I went back to Baguio after the fight, just to get my shape back
43:23and rehab my knee.
43:24And then I met my wife soon later.
43:27And then, yeah, and then I couldn't leave.
43:29I went there just for rehab, you know.
43:31Couldn't leave.
43:31Couldn't leave, you know.
43:32Fell in love with the city and my wife.
43:35Oh, my gosh.
43:36How did you meet your wife, Star, in Baguio also?
43:40Yeah, in Baguio through mutual friends.
43:42A mutual friend that introduced us at the tennis courts.
43:46Was it like the plan to really wingmen you with her?
43:51Or was it just like a friendly introduction?
43:54A little bit of a plan.
43:55A little bit of a plan from my friend.
43:57It was my friend, you know, mutual friend and thought that we'd be a good match.
44:02So brought me to the tennis courts.
44:04And she was playing and then we went out and, yeah, we just clicked.
44:08What's the advantage of having a partner who's also into sports?
44:14Yes.
44:16For athletes, I think for me it's – I'm very lucky because she understands when I'm hangry.
44:24You know, yeah, you know, because, I mean, fight sport is – you know, all sports are challenging, of course,
44:31and you're exhausted at different times and you're going to be cranky.
44:35But in MMA or Sambo, yeah, sometimes you're losing 5 to 10 kilos over, you know, like a month or two.
44:43So you're just like – you're not yourself, you know.
44:47So it's like that T-shirt.
44:48I'm sorry for the things I said when I was hungry, you know.
44:52So she understands, you know, when I'm a little cranky and when I'm, you know, in a mood.
44:57And because she's an athlete, of course, herself.
44:59And so, yeah, I'm lucky with that.
45:02Yeah, I think it's one of those things where only two people in the same field can understand.
45:07Like, you know how doctors usually also couple up together because only they can understand the schedule.
45:13For you guys, training.
45:15Okay.
45:17How about when it comes to fatherhood?
45:20What has fatherhood taught you about endurance that fighting never prepared you for?
45:27I think with fatherhood, I realized that even though I have strong muscles from years of fighting,
45:35like, you know, a whole day at Disneyland carrying two kids.
45:39Oh, my God.
45:40Nothing can prepare you for it.
45:41Yeah, that's another level of fitness, you know.
45:44Like, we did a trip to the States a year ago.
45:48And for some crazy reason, we scheduled three amusement parks in a row.
45:54No way.
45:54Why do we do that?
45:55I know.
45:56Like, it just happened, you know.
45:57And I was just wrecked by the end, you know, my back.
46:01Even though we had a big stroller, one of those, like, carts.
46:05It's not exactly a stroller.
46:06It's like a wagon, you know.
46:08And we put the bags in there and the two kids.
46:11But, like, my shoulder and my back was just wrecked after three days of, like, pulling.
46:15And, you know, and the isometric squeeze and hold of, like, you know, while they're sleeping on your shoulder.
46:19Because sometimes they want to be carried, too.
46:21Yeah.
46:22Of course.
46:23Yeah, that's the, I guess, muscle endurance and mental toughness also comes into play.
46:28But at least it's at the cost of, like, childhood core memories.
46:33Yes.
46:34Their childhood core memories.
46:35So you have to do it.
46:37Oh, that's funny.
46:38It's worth it.
46:39And if you stop competing today, what business or investment would keep you excited?
46:49I think I'll always be part of, you know, fight sport or sports.
46:54Because I think even when I stop competing from sambo with the Philippine team or professionally in MMA, I'll still be around the sport and coaching the next generation.
47:07Like, that's – I'm an adrenaline junkie, you know.
47:10And being part of fight sport, you know, it's so exciting.
47:13So, you know, being able to coach the next generation and teach them and be there.
47:19Sometimes coaching is harder than fighting yourself, you know, because you can't do anything but yell.
47:24And then you're like, oh, my gosh, I only have one minute to, like, give him the best motivational, him or her, the best motivational advice in between rounds, you know.
47:31And, like, the most strategic advice, like, what can I do?
47:34Like, da-da-da-da-da, you know, like, computer going off.
47:38Yeah.
47:38So it's challenging but super fun.
47:41Well, you said you're an adrenaline junkie.
47:44I was just curious.
47:45Are you also, like, not scared of heights or do you do those activities?
47:48I'm really scared of heights.
47:49I'm terrified of heights.
47:51Yeah.
47:51Okay.
47:51So not that kind of adrenaline then.
47:53No, but I still like it because I went skydiving in college to try to get over my fear of heights.
47:59But I'm still terrified of heights.
48:00Even after that?
48:01Yeah, it didn't worry.
48:02Skydiving?
48:03Yeah.
48:03Even after skydiving, I did that in college hoping that because it looked like fun and my friends wanted to do it.
48:09Hoping it would work, get over my fear of heights, but it didn't.
48:12And I'm still very scared of heights.
48:14But roller coasters are cool.
48:16Yeah, I love roller coasters.
48:17And it still scares me, you know, especially the ones that, you know, are like a straight drop down and you're hanging there sometimes at the top.
48:23Yeah.
48:23Oh, my gosh.
48:24It's the most exciting.
48:25But I like it.
48:26But they're okay.
48:27Yeah, they're okay.
48:27Knowledgeable.
48:28Okay.
48:29Okay.
48:29When it comes to financial decisions, who between you and your wife gets the final say?
48:35I don't know if there's a final say.
48:39We like to, you know, we definitely communicate and work things out together and, you know, share our inputs.
48:49But my wife is, you know, pretty good at handling finance and, like, and that kind of stuff.
48:53And she manages a school in Baggio, too, so she's better with paperwork and these types of things than me.
48:58But we definitely, you know, work together with all of our finances.
49:02But would you say you're a splurger or are you also big on saving?
49:07I wouldn't say I'm a splurger.
49:10Maybe with food.
49:12Maybe most of, you know, my biggest expenses are with food, you know.
49:16I like a good meal and if I'm in the mood and we're on vacation, you know, then I'll want to, you know, but same with my wife, too.
49:23So, you know, she likes to eat and go out, especially if I'm on vacation and trying different top-ranked restaurants in the country we're visiting.
49:33Wow.
49:35Okay.
49:36All right.
49:37So, Pepsters, ayan.
49:39We've learned a lot about Mark, no?
49:42Yes.
49:43But now it's time for our Pep Challenge.
49:47Yes.
49:48Ayan.
49:51Right.
49:52So, our Pep Challenge, what's our Pep Challenge?
49:55It's an Instagram raid.
49:57So, we went through your Instagram feed and we picked out a few videos.
50:01I think you said earlier you have an idea.
50:03I have no idea where this is going.
50:04We're going to do some very silly videos.
50:06We're going to do it anyway.
50:14Each post.
50:15Backstory.
50:15All right.
50:16What's the first post that we got?
50:19First post.
50:20From Mark's IG account.
50:21Wow.
50:23Yes.
50:23So, on the left, that's a photo of me in Tokyo, Japan, getting my yellow belt in Aikido.
50:33So, Aikido was actually my very first martial art.
50:35Before I got into wrestling, MMA, Sambo, Aikido was the very first martial art I did.
50:41And on the right, that's Maxi.
50:44He, you can see, is my little mini-me.
50:46And basically looks exactly like me.
50:49And yeah, sorry.
50:51Sorry, babe.
50:52Sorry to my wife.
50:52He looks just like me.
50:53Yeah, and that's him getting a stripe in Baguio for Jiu-Jitsu.
50:59Wow.
50:59So, he's already started his Jiu-Jitsu classes at six years old.
51:05No, five years old.
51:06We started him at five years old.
51:07You were how old in his picture?
51:09I think I was six.
51:10Six.
51:10So, we're close to the same age there.
51:12Close to the same age.
51:14Okay.
51:15Next picture.
51:16Our next.
51:20Aikido.
51:22Yes.
51:23Christmas.
51:24Because Christmas in the Philippines is the best.
51:26No one doesn't like the Philippines, right?
51:28And the longest.
51:29Yes, and the longest.
51:30So, that was Christmas in Baguio, I think, a year or two ago.
51:34And we always try to, you know, make Christmas a nice, memorable event for our kids.
51:41Because that's what it was for us growing up.
51:43And, you know, it should be special for kids.
51:46Do they believe in Santa Claus?
51:48They do.
51:49Do you pretend?
51:50They do.
51:50Yes, they pretend.
51:51And we actually have a routine.
51:53No, I don't pretend to be Santa.
51:54Okay, okay.
51:54My beard, I have to.
51:55What if I got some spray or powder?
51:58Maybe.
51:59But that would be horrifying if they recognize me.
52:02No!
52:03So, what's your routine?
52:05Our routine is, regarding Santa Claus, we'll actually go on the roof.
52:09My parents started the routine.
52:10Oh.
52:11So, I've carried it on.
52:12With my wife.
52:14And we'll go on the roof on the 24th.
52:18And we'll look into the sky.
52:20And pretend, you know, we'll look for Santa and his sleigh.
52:24Or we'll look at the stars.
52:26And, you know, maybe make up something.
52:27Oh, I saw him.
52:28I saw him.
52:29Did you see him?
52:30Something for the kids to try to find Santa on the night before Christmas.
52:34When are you going to tell them the truth about Santa?
52:38And they're 20.
52:38No, I don't know.
52:39I don't know.
52:39When are you 20?
52:40I don't know.
52:41Or you're just going to let them discover it for the film.
52:43I think discover it.
52:44That's what happened with me and my brother.
52:45We just discovered it on our own.
52:46Oh, no.
52:47How did you feel?
52:49Santa felt real.
52:50I think, to be honest, I don't even remember.
52:52So, I guess it just happened so naturally.
52:54So, I hope it's a smooth transition for them.
52:57I hope so, too.
52:59Okay.
52:59Next photo.
53:03Oh.
53:03Oh.
53:06Okay.
53:07Next one.
53:10Bye.
53:11Bye.
53:12Bye.
53:13Yeah.
53:15Oh.
53:16Yeah.
53:16I put.
53:17Oh.
53:19I put.
53:21What did you do?
53:22I put a macaroni in my mouth.
53:23What did you do?
53:24And.
53:25What was that?
53:26Oh, jeez.
53:28I asked him.
53:28I said, hey.
53:29Oh.
53:30Oh.
53:33Oh, no.
53:33I pulled my neck to the side.
53:36I bit down on the macaroni.
53:38Oh.
53:38Oh.
53:39What?
53:39And he really.
53:41Oh.
53:42Oh.
53:47What did you do?
53:48I got him.
53:48What was it?
53:49Oh, jeez.
53:51He just laughed.
53:52He just laughed.
53:53He's a good sport.
53:53He was great.
53:54But he really.
53:55He really did freak out in that moment.
53:57Where do you think you got that?
53:59Oh.
53:59Oh.
53:59Oh.
54:00Oh.
54:03This is high.
54:04From my mom and dad.
54:06They're both a little.
54:07Oh.
54:08Oh.
54:08What?
54:10Oh.
54:11Oh.
54:11Oh.
54:11What?
54:12Oh.
54:12The beard.
54:14What'd you do?
54:16What'd you do?
54:18What was it?
54:18Oh, jeez.
54:21Mark was with a beard and without.
54:22How would you describe Mark without a beard?
54:25Oh.
54:26Oh.
54:26Oh.
54:27To be honest, I love the beard.
54:30Like, I'm never going to shave it.
54:32The beard is here to stay.
54:34Oh.
54:34Oh.
54:35Oh.
54:35What?
54:35My wife doesn't like it.
54:37Oh!
54:38My wife doesn't like it.
54:40What'd you do?
54:42Yes.
54:43What'd you do?
54:44What was that?
54:45Oh, jeez.
54:51Oh, a video.
54:55Oh, my God.
55:00It's with Troy.
55:02Troy's my training partner, also on the Sambo national team.
55:05We make a lot of funny skits together, including the Bullshido content, which is a play on words between Bushido, Japanese, and BS bullshit.
55:26Sorry.
55:27So it's a play on words for those two, and we created Bullshido.
55:32For sure, your fans would be surprised.
55:35Like, after watching Physical Asia and then they search you up, then they see this.
55:41What reactions have you received so far?
55:43Yes, I saw a lot of comments from people saying that my personality on social media is very different from the show, which was, you know, funny.
55:52Yeah, I think it's about balance.
55:53You know, you can't be intense all the time.
55:55Yeah.
55:56But when it's competition time, of course, I'm intense.
55:58And that's when you, you know, turn it on.
55:59All right.
56:00Okay.
56:01Okay.
56:02We have one more.
56:03Yes.
56:04Photo.
56:05Last or post.
56:06What is it?
56:07Last one.
56:08What is it?
56:09Oh, there.
56:10Ah.
56:11Wow.
56:12No beard days.
56:13No beard days.
56:14Yes.
56:15This was shot in Baguio.
56:17I think maybe at the start of the pandemic or a little bit before the pandemic.
56:22Mm-hmm.
56:23And yeah, I was in good shape for that one.
56:26And probably like pretty low body fat percentage.
56:30A little bit lighter than I am now.
56:32But yeah, that was back when I fought in the URCC, which is the biggest local promotion here.
56:39So you had to be leaner at that time or?
56:43Yeah.
56:44I mean, because I'm about 76 kilos right now.
56:48And in MMA, I fight at 66 kilos.
56:51Mm-hmm.
56:52So it's a 10 kilo drop.
56:54Mm-hmm.
56:55So that's fight sport.
56:57It's very common.
56:58It sounds like a lot if you're not involved in fight sport, but it's quite common.
57:02So you'll do that, most of that.
57:04You'll do about half of that from dieting and proper calorie restriction.
57:11And then the last four or five kilos, you'll do in the sauna on fight week and just through dehydration.
57:16Yeah, it's quite unhealthy, but it's part of the sport.
57:19Ayan.
57:20Okay.
57:21So that's our last part for Pep Live, guys.
57:25Thank you so much, Mark.
57:28For sharing your story with us today.
57:30Thank you for being here.
57:31So where else would your fans and Pepsters get to see you at this month or early next year?
57:40The coming months, yes.
57:41Oh, next year.
57:42Yeah, I'll be competing in the Sambo Asian Oceana Championships here in Manila in June of next year.
57:50And I've been thinking about doing High Rocks also.
57:54So maybe I'll enter a High Rocks competition in the first quarter of next year.
58:00And yeah, other than that, you can see my training and stuff on social media.
58:06Would you be able to squeeze in a TV guesting or another film project?
58:11Yeah, yeah.
58:12If something comes up, yeah.
58:14If the offer's there and something comes up, I'd love to.
58:17It'll be fun.
58:18Okay.
58:19So you can now invite your followers to follow you on your socials.
58:25Hi, guys.
58:26Yeah.
58:27If you could please follow me on my socials if you like silly martial arts and fitness content.
58:33And yeah, other fitness content as well.
58:37Some workout tips and other things.
58:39You can check me out on Instagram at Mark Mugen.
58:42And on TikTok, Mark Mugen with a 2-3 at the end.
58:46Thanks, guys.
58:47Yeah.
58:48And also, Pepsers, please don't forget to follow Pep.
58:53On pep.ph.
58:54Yes.
58:55So yung mga naka-flash dyan sa ating screen sa baba.
58:58Yes.
58:59Makikita nyo dyan ang ating social media handles.
59:03Yeah.
59:04And of course, you can also follow me on my Instagram at Pingshi.
59:09Yes.
59:10And with you, FK.
59:12Okay, ayan.
59:13So mabasahin nyo na lang siya sa pep.ph.
59:16Ayan.
59:17So thank you so much.
59:18Thank you so much.
59:19Mark, once again.
59:20It's been a lot of fun.
59:22Ayan.
59:23So once again, Pepsters, Mark Mugen on Pep Live.
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