Family Spotlight: The Evers Family
Starting Strong, Growing Stronger—Together
Sometimes you don’t know you’re about to start something special.
For the Evers family, it started with an Easter event at CrossPointe Church—and a spin of a wheel.
Sensei Allie had the family take a turn, and that simple moment eventually led Mari, Stephen, Ava, and Emi to KMMA.
What they discovered was something they didn’t necessarily expect:
training together could become something their whole family genuinely enjoyed.
“How Much We Enjoy Being in the Same Class Together”
When asked what has surprised them most about training as a family, the Evers family didn’t hesitate:
“How much we enjoy being in the same class together and learning the techniques at home.”
And apparently, those lessons don’t always stay inside the dojo.
Since beginning their training, Ava and Emi have become, in their parents’ words, “little mini ninjas.”
They love practicing their moves at home, and along the way, their parents have seen something even more meaningful develop:
Confidence.
The girls aren’t just learning new techniques. They’re gaining confidence in themselves and in what they can do.
“I Have a Really Awesome Kick!”
We had to ask Ava and Emi what they can do now that they couldn’t do when they first started.
Their answers say a lot about their personalities.
Ava: “I have a really awesome kick!”
Emi: “I can punch way harder!”
And honestly, those are two pretty great measures of progress.
They’re learning new skills, getting stronger, and—perhaps most importantly—having fun while doing it.
A Little Family Competition Never Hurts
So, who is the most competitive Evers?
Ava.
Apparently, she’s also the family’s official character stripe-sheet enforcer.
According to her family, “She’s the one that loves to make sure she brings in her sheets for the stripes. We can’t leave home without it.”
Sounds like someone is taking character development very seriously. 😉
What Does “Starting Strong” Mean to the Evers Family?
For the Evers family, it comes down to something simple:
Always giving our best in whatever we do.
That’s a powerful definition of starting strong—and one that reaches far beyond the dojo.
Because the goal isn’t simply to learn a new technique or earn the next belt.
It’s learning to show up, put in the effort, keep going, and give your best.
And those are lessons kids can carry with them wherever life takes them.
A Message for Other Families
If another parent is considering starting martial arts with their family, the Evers family has some simple advice:
“Do it! It will be the best investment you’ll ever make!”
For Mari, there’s something especially meaningful about watching her daughters develop the skills and confidence that come with their training.
She put it beautifully:
“I love knowing that my daughters are beauties but will be able to defend themselves if the time ever arose.”
It’s one of the things that makes training together so meaningful.
You’re not just investing in what your children can do today.
You’re helping them become stronger, more confident, and more capable for whatever comes next.
Three Words for the Evers Family’s KMMA Experience
When asked to describe their KMMA experience in three words, the family gave us:
Dedicated. United. Family.
And after hearing their story, those three words seem to fit pretty well.
The Evers family started with a spin of a wheel at an Easter event.
They’ve continued because they’re discovering something worth coming back for —
the opportunity to learn, grow, laugh, challenge one another, and become stronger together.
That’s what Starting Strong can look like.
Not just one person getting stronger.
A family growing stronger together.
Meet More KMMA Families
Every KMMA family has a different story about how they started, what they’ve overcome, and what they’ve discovered along the way.
We’re proud to share those stories because they remind us that martial arts is about so much more than what happens during class.
It’s about who we’re becoming—and who we become together.
Could Your Family Be Our Next Family Spotlight?
We love celebrating the families who make up the KMMA community—and we’d love to hear your story.
If your family trains together at KMMA and you’d like to be featured in an upcoming KMMA Family Spotlight, we’d love to connect with you.
Reach out to Christine Holtzman, Marketing Director
Your family’s story might be the encouragement another family needs to start strong, grow stronger, and do it together.