Mark Swingle started training in Isshin Ryu Karate in 1987, quickly rising through the ranks. He began instructing while still a Brown Belt in 1989, creating and running the Isshin Ryu Karate Club at Colgate University, before earning his black belt and then going to Japan to work and train in various martial arts in 1993. He earned additional black belt ranks in Isshin Ryu in NY before moving to Lawrenceville in 2004 and training at what would become Karate Fit USA.
He took over the school operations in 2018, and in 2019 earned his Shihan, Master Instructor rank. In 2022, Sensei Swingle was promoted to 5th Degree Black Belt in Ryukyu Kempo, and is a 1st Degree Black Belt in Small Circle Jujitsu, a complementary system also taught at KF USA. He is fluent in Japanese, and enjoys sharing that culture with KF USA students.