Marc MacYoung

Marc "Animal" MacYoung (born in Los Angeles, California) is an American author, lecturer and martial artist. Initially known best for his street-violence survival books, he later went on to write personal safety / self-defense books and make instructional videos. MacYoung is considered to be one of the pioneers of reality-based self-defense. He has studied numerous martial arts since the age of ten, including Wing Chun, Eskrima, Silat, Karate, and Baguazhang. MacYoung administers several self-defense programs for the general public and has taught law at law-enforcement agencies and military sites around the world.

Biography

MacYoung was born in Los Angeles, and spent a majority of his childhood in the Los Angeles area. By his own account, he spent his youth in situational poverty and ethnic diversity. He gained his knowledge of crime and violence on the streets of Los Angeles. He was first shot when he was fourteen. He later worked as the warden of a correctional institute, bodyguard, bouncer, security, all of which put his life into danger. He wrote his first book Cheap Shots Ambushes and other Lessons, published by Paladin Press, in 1989. He later wrote thirteen more books and produced five instructional videos on personal safety / self-defense.