Video: TV role for West Seattle martial-arts expert Lisa Skvarla

(NOTE: The promotional clip below includes a simulated violent attack)

Did you know that West Seattle martial-arts expert Lisa Skvarla is an accomplished stuntwoman too? In the two-minute preview video above, she’s the dark-haired woman in the re-enactment scenes (starting about 18 seconds in) as a crime survivor tells her story of an East Coast ordeal more than a decade ago. It’s part of a new DIscovery Health special, “The Worst Thing that Ever Happened to Me,” debuting at 7 pm Friday (December 10); Skvarla is seen in flashback scenes as Debra Puglisi Sharp, who survived an attack that took her husband’s life (also detailed in the book “Shattered“). Lisa and husband Joe own Lee’s Martial Arts in the south Admiral area, and she teaches self-defense to kids as well as adults. According to a news release Skvarla sent tonight to announce the show, she also has been an actor/stunt performer/stunt coordinator working in L.A. as well as Seattle for more than 15 years.

Todd_ December 8, 2010 (11:15 pm)

Cool. I happened to see part of this episode yesterday. The victim went through a lot at the hands of a guy on a crack bender. Debra is quite a survivor! Looks like an interesting series.

John December 9, 2010 (9:31 am)

Go Lisa!

Serena December 9, 2010 (12:46 pm)

Great job Lisa!!!! Can’t wait to watch

Beth December 9, 2010 (2:02 pm)

Women survivors KICK ASS! Great job Lisa. I will be watching with my boyfriend and some of my girlfriends.

thelmasue December 9, 2010 (4:14 pm)

i think it’s weird to make a t.v. show about the worst thing that has happened to a person. seems like it would be a pretty ugly psychology behind making and watching a show like that.