Mar's parents emigrated to the United States from China after World War II.
[2][4] She started ballet at an early age where one of her instructors noticed her talent for tumbling and suggested putting her in gymnastics.
Mar trained at Southern California Acro Team (SCATS), a non-profit gym which produced several champion gymnasts, including Cathy Rigby.
[3] Mar won the all-around title at the 1985 USA Gymnastics National Championships.
At that meet she also won gold on floor exercise and uneven bars and silver on balance beam and vault.
[7] Mar pulled out of the 1988 USA Gymnastics National Championships with a back injury.