Beth's passion for martial arts started when she was 25 years old. Training in Shotokan-based Red Dragon Karate with her husband, she discovered her own love for this ancient discipline. Beth became a first degree black belt at the age of 40 and has competed in national and international competitions, winning medals and trophies for her sword work, open-hand forms and in musical showmanship with her son, Trey, who is also a black belt (and testing for 2nd degree black in December 2008). She has taught women's self defense programs and speaks to women's groups on self defense.

After becoming a black belt, Beth moved into the study of the internal martial arts, studying T'ai Chi Chuan with Master Samuel Barnes, student of Grandmaster William C.C. Chen. She is currently becoming certified to teach T'ai Chi instructors, leads T'ai Chi Chuan in her community and is studying T'ai Chi Sword under Master Samuel Barnes.

She is working on a book with her husband, Ivan (who is also a first-degree black belt in karate), on the topic of "Black Belt Networking."