In this insightful interview, Professor Mark Fonte shares his journey through life, law enforcement, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). With a deep passion for martial arts and personal growth, he reflects on how these experiences have shaped his identity and purpose. As a dedicated member of the Gracie Barra family, Professor Fonte discusses the profound lessons he has learned through BJJ, the importance of teaching others, and his aspirations for Gracie Barra North Salt Lake. His story serves as an inspiration for those looking to embrace the transformative power of martial arts in their own lives.
Hello Professor Mark, can you start off introducing yourself to our readers?
Hello everyone, I’d like to start off by saying how much I love life… a lot! I have experienced a lot in my life from the growing pains of youth through adulthood and including the spiritual growth that comes from it. I’ve followed callings to personal growth with various martial arts when I was younger, spiritual teachings that I loved as a kid and then again as an adult, family which brought the biggest joys of life in the forms of two daughters, and in my careers with law enforcement and teaching.
It hasn’t all been easy street though, and when times were tough, my Gracie Barra family and the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu we practice have been the avenue to finding peace and balance. My take away from all of this is that all good things come in time, with occasional help from perseverance.
Can you share a bit about your background and how your journey in martial arts began?
As a young boy, Bruce Lee was my hero. He was small like me, but he overcame every obstacle and villain in those movies, so he stoked my interest in Martial Arts.
I tried a few styles like Taekwondo, Kung Fu, Shaolin Kempo, and Tang Soo Do, but they ultimately didn’t take root. When I was in a very stressful job in law enforcement, I recognized a need for a healthy outlet for the cumulative stress of the years. I saw that grappling was the most challenging workout and believed that it would help me work off that stress.
When I found Gracie Barra Encinitas, I found another home, and the professors and other students quickly became another family to me. The teachings and workouts helped me find and maintain balance no matter what is going on in my personal life. It still does.
What first attracted you to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and what made you stick with it?
I’d seen televised events where grappling overwhelmed other martial arts styles. I was in need of stress management which I believed would be a regimented workout program. When I evaluated various martial arts, it was easy to see the benefits that would come from BJJ. It is a great workout and it is one of the very best self-defense platforms there is.
Once I tried it, I was sold. I dedicated most of my spare time to it and benefited greatly in so many ways. I became less quick to react due to fear because I learned self-confidence in my newfound abilities and humility from the new knowledge of my limitations. I managed my stress like never before. I got into the best shape of my life from the workouts and the healthy mindset that came with the BJJ lifestyle. I developed lifelong relationships with men and women from all walks of life. I found peace and serenity amidst the storms of life.
I stick with it still today because of a few simple principles. If I want to be the best that I can be, I have to give away what I’ve received. Passing on the knowledge that has been passed down to me has become a great gift. It allows me to fulfill my present calling which is to see the spirit in others grow as they learn this way of life and I get to show my gratitude to my teachers and theirs before them for all that I have received.
How has your career in law enforcement influenced your perspective on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense?
I thought my training and experience in law enforcement was all I needed to overcome a threat. I was mistaken by my shortsightedness and the availability of back-up. It is true that it might be enough for some, but I needed more. With the extensive training that I was put through as an officer and agent and then as a tactical, firearms, and less-lethal weapons instructor, I thought it was all I would need.
It was only after learning a little bit from BJJ that I realized how ill-equipped I was to handle physical and even non-physical confrontations. Not too long after I began my BJJ training with Gracie Barra, I assisted a uniformed officer while taking a wanted felon into custody.
When the subject resisted, the officer was already hands-on and he couldn’t use his weapons because he was trying to control the subject with both of his hands. Because of my BJJ training and the calm I was able to maintain, I quickly evaluated what to do and easily gained control of the subject. The officer was full of adrenaline, so he lost his fine motor skills.
I helped him manage restraining the subject and they safely went off to jail. This is one of a few pivotal experiences for me while on the job. I recognized that anyone expected to protect and serve would benefit as I did—mentally and physically. With budget cuts as they have been for law enforcement, training is generally one of the first things to go. That made my personal training in BJJ more important than ever for personal safety and job security.
I believe it is possible for all LEOs to find that personal safety and job security as I did, necessary for longevity beyond their careers, and true happiness while still there.
What motivated you to open Gracie Barra North Salt Lake, and what does it mean for you to be part of the Gracie Barra family?
Within the first year of training at Gracie Barra Encinitas, I had a dream to open a GB school someday. As I neared the end of my law enforcement career, it became my focus. After retiring from a long and purposeful career in December 2023, I set my goal for opening a GB School.
With the helpful guidance of my professor, I discovered a gap in GB BJJ coverage in the North Salt Lake area of Utah. It was an easy choice where to go at that point. Because of my love for Gracie Barra due to my personal experiences as a member—and because of my debt of gratitude for the Gracie Barra Method—of course, I would step up in my Gracie Barra family and open Gracie Barra North Salt Lake.
Bonus…I love camping, hiking, snowboarding, and shooting sports, so I’m at home here!
In your experience, what are the most important life lessons Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teaches?
A few life lessons come to mind based on my BJJ training:
Humility:
Knowing my limitations and learning that others have abilities like mine or even greater has been humbling; humiliation would be thinking I know more than others.
Knowledge:
Everyone gets hurt in a fight; avoiding confrontation at all costs is important.
Appreciation:
Everyone brings something unique; focusing on our similarities fosters harmony.
What do you find most rewarding about teaching students of all ages and backgrounds?
We are ultimately all the same on the inside—just with varying degrees of fears, wants, and needs. When we are on the mats with our frowns or smiles in our GB uniforms, we look similar; we all want improvement at something—perhaps living life better.
The payoff for me is seeing students’ eyes light up when they finally grasp a move they’ve been trying to master; regardless of age or background, their joy is what motivates me.
What do you think sets Gracie Barra apart from other martial arts schools?
I have visited other schools around the country while traveling; each time reminds me why Gracie Barra stands out so much. You can easily see healthy competition among its members—a significant reason why I joined Gracie Barra: its family feel nurtures better experiences within a safe environment.
I love how people adjust their techniques based on their partner’s experience level so both can enjoy training together.
What advice would you give to someone who’s nervous about starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the first time?
Everybody trying Jiu-Jitsu feels nervous initially; everyone starts without knowing what they’re doing during their first class—I know this from personal experience.
Know that you’re in good hands with Gracie Barra; understand that not trying at all is the only real failure in Jiu-Jitsu—ultimately nobody loses when learning while having fun! Master Carlos Gracie Jr has an expression for this: you either win or learn.
What are your long-term goals for Gracie Barra North Salt Lake and its students?
My number one goal for Gracie Barra North Salt Lake is reaching as many individuals as possible so they can experience transformation through Jiu-Jitsu.
This sport builds self-confidence, discipline, honor, humility—among many other qualities—and I’d like students to become beacons of hope within their communities for those struggling so we can help realize Master Carlos’ dream: making the world better through Jiu-Jitsu.
When you’re not training or teaching, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your personal time?
There was once a time when Jiu-Jitsu helped me find balance between work, family—and play—but then began exploring other activities too! I’ve always enjoyed target sports but also discovered snow sports alongside yoga; even returning towards leather crafts welding—and nature activities like hiking/camping!
Hobbies are essential grounding forces during difficulties faced within careers/families/communities—they serve as outlets for stress! Gracie Barra Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grounded me then opened up new avenues—I hope everyone finds what they seek—all it takes is starting then not quitting!
