Zen was born to a Japanese mother and an English father in North York, Ontario. He moved as a child to Vancouver, B.C. in 1986. He is a graduated Professor of Capoeira, and is fluent in Brazilian Portuguese. He also practices Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Zen lived in Hong Kong for 9 years teaching Capoeira and worked as a personal trainer before he became a stunt man and actor full time.