The Heart Start Fitness journey began in 1987, in a small church hall in Ballarat, in regional Victoria. Marcus began Martial Arts training in the exceptionally challenging Japanese art of Ninjutsu, achieving his black belt 10 years later. This success prompted him to seek out another challenge; he found it in Zen Do Kai Freestyle Karate, offered by the Bob Jones Corporation at the Ballarat Academy of Martial Arts. He once again obtained a black belt, and once again was on the hunt for a fresh challenge.
At the time, the Ballarat Academy of Martial Arts also offered the national sport of Thailand, Muay Thai. Although it was relatively new here in Australia, Marcus decided to try it out.