Exercising consistently has been a defining passion of mine since the age of 15. It began as a diversion from chronic anxiety, offering me an outlet to focus my energy and build strength, both mentally and physically. At times, exercise consumed my life to such an extent that I had little time for anything outside the gym. Those intense training days shaped my discipline and resilience, but that phase of my life has since evolved.
Somewhere around 2017, I discovered a new dimension to my physical practice when I stepped into a hot yoga room. While I had explored other yoga systems, such as Ashtanga and others, it wasn’t until my third or fourth hot yoga class that I truly connected with the practice. For the first time, I began to meditate and focus on my breath, finding a deeper harmony between my body and mind. Hot yoga became the physical and mental discipline I needed to unlock the full benefits of yoga.
Movement has always been more than just exercise for me; it’s a way to harmonize the body and mind. Every mindful moment is an opportunity for movement, and acts of compassion can transform into forms of yoga. This interplay between physical activity and mental focus has brought balance and joy to my life. I envision living with this vigor and mindfulness for as long as possible—perhaps even joyfully leaving this world at age 100, in a headstand, carried into the universe by my consciousness.
My athletic journey has been an adventurous one. In 1991, I fell in love with rock climbing and ultimate frisbee, leading to mountaineering in the "Gunks" of upstate New York and my first tandem skydive in 1992 at The Blue Sky Ranch. That jump sparked a 13-year passion for skydiving, during which I founded PIER Media, a skydiving video training company, in 1995. A significant accident that same year—landing barefoot on concrete and breaking both feet—was a stark reminder of the risks I was taking. Yet, I returned to skydiving, completing 2,300 jumps and forming lifelong friendships before retiring from the sport in 2005.
In 2004, seeking a different challenge, I transitioned to competitive Muay Thai Boxing, training at Five Points Academy in New York and competing for 2.5 years. The discipline and camaraderie I found there reinforced my commitment to physical fitness, all while maintaining a plant-based lifestyle.
Reflecting on my journey, I am deeply grateful for the many risks and adventures that shaped me. From rock climbing and skydiving to Muay Thai and yoga, these experiences transformed a shy, scrawny kid from Brooklyn into someone who embraces life with curiosity, movement, and purpose. Now, I channel my energy into writing—memoirs, journals, and philosophical musings—driven by the urgency to complete my projects and continue evolving until the very end.
(Above video: Unfortunately, the original footage of this memorable moment is lost, but it was shot by my friend Max Cohn in Gardiner, NY, around 2005.)
In 2005, after completing 2,300 jumps, I made the decision to retire from skydiving. The sport gifted me unforgettable experiences and friendships that I hold dear to this day. However, by 2004, my focus had shifted to a new challenge: competitive Muay Thai Boxing.
Trading the high-risk world of skydiving for the "less dangerous" realm of Muay Thai, I embraced the discipline with enthusiasm. I had my first competitive fight in 2004 and continued to compete over the next three years. My training home, Five Points Academy in New York, remains a hub of exceptional talent and camaraderie. For anyone seeking world-class training, I wholeheartedly recommend joining their incredible community.
My Shared Viewpoint
There is compelling evidence highlighting the benefits of incorporating intense exercise into our lives, ideally at least three to four days per week. The level of intensity may vary based on individual abilities, but the essential goal is to consistently give your best effort. By challenging our bodies and building effective routines, we prepare ourselves to better navigate life's difficulties. Studies suggest that regular physical activity not only strengthens our resilience but also significantly reduces the risk of degenerative diseases, underscoring the vital role of exercise in maintaining long-term health.
(Right photo: Circa 2005, Fight Night in New York City. Me and my longtime friends and trainers, Arjan Steve Milles and Arjan Simon Burgess of Five Points Academy. I am cooling down between rounds.)
Throughout my journey, I have remained a dedicated and passionate practitioner of yoga. At one point, I entertained the idea of giving myself a grand, fancy name like "Sri Maharishi Marcus" (LOL), but I quickly realized that doesn’t fit who I am. As egocentric as I might have been in my youth, I now see the benefit and logic in simply being myself—teaching the way I teach and sharing the way I share. I’m not the "guru-chasing type," and I hold a very high standard for those I respect as mavericks or masters.
In my amateur fighting years, Steve Milles and Simon Burgess were exceptional mentors who guided me with skill and wisdom. From a yoga perspective, my most influential teachers include Jared McCann, Sri Dharma, and Sri Satguru Yogi Parmahansa, among others. Sri Satguru, in particular, left a profound impact on me in the late 1990s, exemplifying what it means to be a true master. Today, I see an abundance of incredible teachers on the hot yoga circuit around New York and the tri-state area, and I appreciate the diverse lessons they bring.
At 56, in 2025, I remain deeply engaged with physical movement. I still shadow box regularly, refining my footwork and savoring the joy of Thai boxing movements. Yoga continues to be the foundation of my routine, practiced four to five days a week. On other days, I mix in brisk walks through New York City with a heavy backpack, cold-weather gear, and sturdy shoes, alongside Pilates, weight training, or short sessions of running and cycling.
While I dream of one day fighting at Lumpini Stadium in Thailand or practicing yoga in the Himalayas near the Dalai Lama's residence, I’ve learned the importance of staying grounded in the present. Occasionally, I imagine a year spent living in a cave in India with my wife, but I also deeply appreciate modern comforts like running water and hot showers, which I no longer take for granted.
Ultimately, my journey is about balance—between ambition and contentment, tradition and modernity, and dreams and reality. I am grateful for every experience, every teacher, and every step along the way.
(Above: Me in the leopard trunks, jamming my foot into this guy’s digestive system. This was my first Muay Thai fight somewhere in Virginia back in 2003 or 2004.)
Back in the late 1990s, I was fortunate to study under an exceptional yoga teacher, Sri Sat Guru Yogi Parmahansa, originally from Japan. He profoundly shaped my understanding of yoga, though it took me nearly two decades to fully appreciate the wisdom he shared. If enlightenment truly exists, he is someone who embodies it. His teachings remain a cornerstone of my practice and philosophy.
These days, my yoga practice centers on traditional hot yoga. The structured system and intensity of the heat help me achieve a focus and clarity unmatched by other styles I’ve tried. I appreciate the simplicity and accessibility of the 26 postures and their straightforward transitions, which can be scaled to suit any level of ability. It’s worth acknowledging the unethical behavior of the founder associated with this style; his actions do not define the practice itself, nor did he create the individual postures. The community has thankfully reclaimed and redefined the system for the better.
I hold a deep respect for all forms of yoga, from Ashtanga to Dharma and Integral Yoga, and even experimenting with creating my own sequences. Beyond yoga, I find joy in everyday movement—whether it's a brisk walk, sprinting up the escalator at the 59th Street #6 train station, or exploring new challenges in fitness.
If you’re wondering who even reads this stuff, I’ll be the first to admit: I was told to write extensively for Google’s search engine optimization. So, here it is—a flood of material for those who may stumble across it.
But the true essence of everything I write and practice comes down to this: the absolute necessity of daily meditation. No matter what I’m doing—be it yoga, walking, or simply pausing to breathe—I ensure that some form of mindful practice is a part of every single day. It’s not just a routine; it’s the foundation that keeps me grounded, focused, and connected to life.
(Right photo: Scary Yoga. Me “sit-flying” in a Thai Boxing jumpsuit. This was around the time when skydiving was fading from my mind and competitive fighting took over. Falling over Gardiner, NY, circa 2004.)
(Right photo: Smashing Yoga. Me - attempting a flying knee at Five Points Academy during a photo shoot for an article in the WSJ.)
(Right photo: Combat Yoga. Circa 2005, Marcus Antebi vs. Brian Robertson, NYC Mulberry Street Fights. Muay Thai fighting. Bare shins and knees to the body were allowed. Yeah!)
The scientific evidence provided by my health and wellness mentor, Fred Bisci, indicates that "intense" exercise can make a person happy. Research shows that this type of lifestyle pattern reduces the risk of Alzheimer's, depression, anger, anxiety, and boredom.
(Right photo: In 2005, I successfully cut down from 154 pounds to 140.5 pounds in 96 hours to meet the weight requirements for a fight. Although it was a challenging experience, I acquired valuable knowledge about fasting and sustaining myself on juices and smoothies. During those years, I trained rigorously six days a week while adhering to very low-calorie diets. While I no longer miss the process of cutting weight, it was a memorable and educational journey. 48 hours after this fight and binge eating for 15 hours, I weighed myself and was back up to 169 pounds! Yuck! I must have eaten 50,000 calories over that weekend post-fight.)
Since age 15, I have maintained a deep commitment to physical fitness, and that drive remains unwavering to this day. While my approach to challenging workouts has evolved over time, I continue to engage in exercises that leave me feeling fatigued at least three days a week. In fact, I incorporate some level of physical activity every day of the week.
Since 2016, I have been obsessed with traditional hot yoga. All yoga. It's just good movement and a great way to relax my mind.
It is with humility that I share my story here. I do take great pride, balanced with gratitude and a sense of awe that I survived doing dangerous things. Always sober, sometimes reckless, always scared shitless, open-eyed, and cautious. I enjoy telling my story, and now I am ready to forget all this and move forward. This is my old life. Today I am a husband, father, vegan-restaurant-guy, yogi, etc. That's enough excitement for one lifetime.
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Embracing the Benefits of Yoga and Exercise - I finally have the patience for a slow workout that involves total presence of mind. Alongside hot yoga, I also engage in kettlebell training, light bag work/pad work, running, ocean swimming, and other seasonal activities. Exercise keeps my mind in balance and is an integral part of life.
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Discovering the Importance of Rest - I am also learning the importance of rest, something I was never good at. It was unexpected for me to realize that rest is something I had to learn to do!
The practice of traditional hot yoga and engaging in various forms of exercise have become a significant part of my life. Through these activities, I find balance and relaxation for both my body and mind. Furthermore, understanding the significance of rest has allowed me to appreciate the essential role it plays in maintaining overall well-being. Thank you for taking the time to read my journey.
(Above photo: "Standing Head to Knee" (Dandayamana Janushirasana), my favorite pose. The back is rounded in the Traditional Hot Yoga posture. August 2019.)
(Above photo: "Balancing Stick" Pose (Tuladandasana) from the Traditional Hot Yoga Series, 26-2.)
(Above photo: "Horny Gorilla" Pose (Vihaga Padamasa), my favorite yoga posture. Falling at 120mph and laughing the whole time. Circa 1996, DeLand, FL. Me with Bill Hallett, barefoot, in PVC pants and a polyester flowered shirt from the '70s.)
(Above photo: My signature "move" at all Juice Bar store openings. Me falling out of a headstand on a hardwood table. April 10, 2023. Hey look, there's Peter Kay, my favorite juice bar operator. His genius was squandered by his last boss. Fckng squandered!)
"I am not perfect. I am not a guru. I am not a master. I am constantly learning. I am a child. I am a fool. I have ego, I have karma. I write for myself and I write hoping that I leave a positive message behind. I hope that something I write will help a younger person skip over my traumas in their own life." —Marcus Antebi