Master Mailman began his training with United Studios of Self-Defense under (then) 4th Dan Tony Vitone. "'Tough Tony' was a great fighter," Master Mailman says, "He taught the old school way….meaning you were hit and thrown around a lot. Although I learned the hard way, I don't believe the multitude of bruises and injuries earned that way are necessary." Master Mailman trains his students to concentrate on technique, accuracy and speed. "I want my Black Belts to be able to throw a kick at full speed and have so much control they can just graze your cheek if they choose," he explains. Following 'Tough Tony', Master Mailman continued his training with such well-known martial artists as Master Fred Bagley, Grandmaster Fred Villari, Grandmaster Nick Cerio, and Professor Charles Matera, obtaining his Master's Degree with Grandmaster Villari.

Master Mailman opened his first martial arts studio in Long Beach, CA in 1983, rapidly expanding to include a chain of 7 studios and a YMCA program. In the late 1990's, becoming weary of big city life, Master Mailman passed on his Long Beach legacy to his students and relocated to the beautiful Central Coast of California. He opened a new studio in Arroyo Grande, later moving it to Grover Beach. It was here he met his wife, Dahrla, a fellow martial artist trained in Shudokan Karate-do. Their wedding ceremony was held at the Grover Beach studio in full dress uniform with all of their students in attendance. Master Mailman and Sensei Dahrla (who now holds a Black Belt in Shaolin Chuan-Fa) currently run the Grover Beach studio together. Their 8-year-old son, Loki, (a junior Black Belt) helps out, too, making it a real family affair!

At United Martial Arts headquarters in Grover Beach, Master Mailman and his Black Belts strive to maintain the traditional teachings of the Shaolin 5 Animal style. Many famous martial artists have contributed to the refinement of Shaolin Kempo, and it is Master Mailman's goal to pass on this great legacy unchanged. "The 5 Animal Style is suitable to all body types, sizes and strengths, and has the versatility needed to counter any situation," he states. "The aggressive, bull-in-a-china-shop approach may work well for the biggest guy on the block, but what about the other 99% of us? If you're a smaller person and a large person is charging in on you like a tiger, you'd better be ready to fight like a crane, or a snake if you want to walk away!"

Today, many of Master Mailman's Black Belts have opened their own successful studios and his legacy contains literally thousands of students all over the world, including two World Champions. Although Master Mailman supports his student's tournament efforts, he stresses that martial arts are not really about fighting with others to gain awards or recognition. There are loftier ideas involved, such as health, well-being and self-mastery. Recently, Master Mailman was inducted into the 2006 Master's Hall of Fame, receiving the award for Lifetime Achievement in the Martial Arts. He continues to pass on his lifetime of expertise in the art and science of Shaolin Chuan Fa to a new generation.