Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Roth.
Hi Nicole, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
We are Scott and Nicole Roth, proud owners of Beyond Martial Arts, a family-owned and operated school located in the heart of Overland Park. Our passion for empowering others through martial arts extends across generations — even our son, Logan, plays an active role as an assistant instructor and helps with the daily operations of the school.
Our martial arts journey began over 15 years ago, when we were simply looking for an activity for our son. We were instantly hooked — not only by the physical and mental benefits of training, but also by the incredible sense of community and discipline that ATA Taekwondo provides. That experience inspired us to open our own school, so we could create a supportive and growth-focused community right here in the Overland Park area.
Since opening our doors, we’ve been dedicated to changing lives one person at a time through martial arts, education, and coaching. We strive to provide a safe, welcoming, and encouraging atmosphere where students of all ages can build confidence, discipline, and resilience.
Our teaching team brings years of experience and dedication to every class:
Mr. Scott Roth – 4th Degree Black Belt, Level 3 Certified Instructor, and 2nd Degree Black Belt Certified Instructor in Tac Krav Maga
Mrs. Nicole Roth – 3rd Degree Black Belt and Level 3 Certified Instructor
Mr. Logan Roth – 4th Degree Black Belt and Level 1 Certified Instructor
At Beyond Martial Arts, our mission is simple yet powerful: “Creating Leaders Beyond the Belt.” We want our students and families to be leaders not just on the training floor, but in all areas of their lives.
Our core values — Community, Growth Mindset, Dedication, Loyalty, and Communication — shape everything we do. Our school is a place where everyone is accepted, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
The training and support we provide isn’t just for our students — it’s for parents and families as well. We care deeply about our entire community, whether they wear a belt or not.
We also love giving back to the community that supports us. From hosting fundraisers and free self-defense classes, to visiting local schools for bully prevention talks and our fun “PE Teacher for a Week” program, we aim to help kids explore martial arts while learning structure, discipline, and confidence in a fun and empowering environment.
At Beyond Martial Arts, we don’t just teach kicks and punches — we teach confidence, respect, and leadership. We’re honored to be recognized as one of Kansas City’s hidden gems and proud to continue making a positive impact in our community, one student at a time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like many small businesses, our journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Learning how to manage, grow, and sustain a small business while staying true to our mission has been a rewarding — and humbling — experience. One of our biggest goals from the start was to make ourselves known in the community and to show what makes Beyond Martial Arts different.
Unfortunately, not all martial arts schools share the same values of integrity, safety, and community that we do. Over time, this has sometimes created misconceptions about what martial arts training is truly about. We’ve worked hard to overcome the “Cobra Kai” stigma — proving that martial arts isn’t about aggression or ego, but about discipline, respect, confidence, and leadership.
We’re incredibly grateful for the support systems that helped us succeed. The ATA Taekwondo organization provided us with tremendous guidance and resources to help us become strong business owners and effective instructors. The Overland Park Chamber of Commerce also offered valuable support as we were getting started, helping us connect and grow within our community.
Most importantly, the unwavering encouragement from our students and families has been the foundation of our success. Their word-of-mouth, enthusiasm, and belief in what we stand for have been our greatest source of growth. Together, we’ve built more than a martial arts school — we’ve built a community that uplifts, empowers, and truly goes beyond the belt.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Beyond Martial Arts, our school is more than a place to train — it’s our family, our passion, and our community. We are Scott and Nicole Roth, and along with our son Logan, we’ve poured our hearts into building a school where students and families feel supported, encouraged, and seen.
Our martial arts journey actually began over 15 years ago when Logan needed an activity. We signed him up for Taekwondo… and we were instantly hooked. Not just on the training — but on the confidence it built, the values it reinforced, and the meaningful community we found within ATA. Over time, training together became something we all loved, and eventually, it led us to open Beyond Martial Arts so we could create that same sense of community here in Overland Park.
Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Ottawa University, with a focus on youth and child development. This background has been a huge asset in teaching. He understands how kids learn, process challenges, and respond to encouragement. He doesn’t just teach kicks and punches — he teaches confidence, resilience, and patience.
Scott continues to attend ATA national training and continuing education so that we’re always improving how we teach and support our students. Growth isn’t just something we ask from our students — it’s something we commit to as instructors too.
Before moving into martial arts full-time, I worked in management and later at one of the largest optometry practices in Johnson County. It helped me realize how much I love connecting with people, listening, and helping guide families through whatever they need.
Now I get to do that here — helping students and parents find the best path, cheering for them during tough moments, and making sure everyone who walks into Beyond Martial Arts feels welcome and supported. Community and connection are my favorite part of what we do.
Logan has been training since he was little — he’s a 4th Degree Black Belt and Level 1 Certified Instructor. After graduating from Olathe North (Class of 2025), he began exploring other martial arts styles too, with the goal of helping us expand our programs so our students have even more opportunities to grow.
He’s grown up in this community, and now he gets to help lead it — something we are incredibly proud of.
Our mission is “Creating Leaders Beyond the Belt.”
That means our students learn far more than techniques. They learn how to: Speak confidently, Make strong choices, Work through challenges, Show respect for themselves and others, and Believe in their own potential!
We’ve always said: We don’t just teach martial arts — we teach life skills. We’re grateful for every student, every family, and every moment of growth we get to experience together.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Every martial artist has a story that captures their spirit — and for us, one of our favorite memories of our son, Logan, comes from when he was just six years old.
Logan had always loved training, especially using his favorite tools and competing in tournaments. He didn’t love tournaments for the trophies or medals — he loved the energy, the friendships, and the chance to show off his “awesome ninja moves.”
Just a few days before one of his tournaments, Logan accidentally burned the palm of his hand. It blistered badly, and we kept it carefully bandaged all week. He was in real discomfort, and as parents, we talked about him sitting this one out. But Logan was determined. He didn’t want to miss seeing his friends or the chance to perform.
When tournament day arrived, his favorite event — Weapons, using the Ssahng Jeol Bong (nunchucks) — was coming up. Logan begged his dad, Scott, to take off the bandage so he could compete. Scott was hesitant, but seeing his son’s excitement and determination, he couldn’t say no.
Despite the pain, Logan went out and performed his routine like a champ — confident, focused, and full of joy. When the results were announced, he took 1st place in Weapons. But what happened next was what made us the proudest.
Logan didn’t rush to celebrate the win or show off his medal. Instead, he ran over to the other kids in his ring — laughing, chatting, and celebrating with them. For Logan, it was never about being the best; it was about being part of something bigger.
That moment perfectly captured the heart of who Logan is — and who we hope every student at Beyond Martial Arts becomes: someone who competes with passion, lifts others up, and always values friendship over victory.
Now, many years later, that same determination and humility continue to guide him. Logan’s love for martial arts has only grown, and so has his desire to help others find that same sense of belonging and joy on the mat.
Pricing:
- We offer 4 Week of training and a free uniform for $49!
- Or, come in and try our a free class!
- Krav Maga Membership Special only $50 a month!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beyondma.net/
- Instagram: TeamBeyondOp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamBeyondMartialArts
