Check Out Ron Scolesdang’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ron Scolesdang.

Hi Ron, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Most people know me as a fighter, but what martial arts really gave me was a blueprint for life, discipline, resilience, and the responsibility to lead. Today, that mindset drives everything I do, not just as a business owner and community leader, but as a father.

I started training at a young age and spent over two decades in the sport, eventually becoming a WBC National and WCK World Muay Thai Champion. Early on, I stepped into a leadership role as General Manager at Team Oyama MMA and Fitness in Orange County, where I helped build a thriving community and trained thousands of students. That’s where I realized my impact could go far beyond the gym.

From there, I began building businesses and organizations centered around growth and service. I founded OKA Kickboxing Club in Irvine to create a space where anyone from beginners to fighters can build confidence and discipline. I also launched KO Towing & Recovery, applying that same mindset of reliability and service in a completely different industry.

One of the most meaningful parts of my journey has been co-founding Seniors Fight Back, a nonprofit focused on empowering seniors with self-defense and confidence. Seeing people regain a sense of safety and control in their lives is what drives me.

Beyond business, I’ve committed myself to public service. I serve as a Public Works and Sustainability Commissioner in Irvine, focusing on infrastructure, safety, and long-term development. I’m also part of the CDFI Advisory Committee for Champions Funding, working to expand access to capital and help underserved communities achieve homeownership.

At home, everything comes full circle. Being a father and husband reminds me daily why I do all of this, to lead by example, to build something meaningful, and to create a better, safer community for the next generation.

My path hasn’t been linear, but everything I’ve built, across fitness, business, nonprofit work, and public service comes back to one mission: helping people become stronger and making a real impact in the community.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road and honestly, I don’t think it’s supposed to be.

Building everything from the ground up came with a lot of pressure and uncertainty. There were times where I had to figure things out on the fly managing cash flow, building teams, making tough decisions, and taking risks without knowing exactly how things would turn out.

Transitioning from being a fighter to an entrepreneur and community leader was a challenge in itself. In fighting, the rules are clear. In business, there’s no blueprint, you learn through experience, mistakes, and sometimes failure.

I’ve dealt with setbacks, missed opportunities, and situations that didn’t go as planned. There were moments where things didn’t work, partnerships didn’t last, or I had to pivot quickly just to keep moving forward.

On top of that, balancing multiple businesses, nonprofit work, public service, and being present for my family isn’t easy. It takes discipline, time management, and a lot of sacrifice.

But those challenges are what built me. Martial arts taught me to stay composed under pressure, and I’ve applied that same mindset to business and life. Every setback became a lesson, and every obstacle forced me to grow.

If anything, the struggles are what made the journey meaningful. They taught me how to lead, how to adapt, and how to keep going no matter what.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I build businesses, programs, and communities centered around growth, discipline, and real impact.

At the core, I specialize in performance and personal development through OKA Kickboxing Club, where we provide high-level training in an environment that’s still welcoming to anyone, whether you’re stepping into a gym for the first time or preparing to compete. What we’re known for is not just technique, but building confidence, structure, and mental toughness in our members.

At the same time, I operate KO Towing & Recovery, where I’ve built a service-based business focused on reliability, efficiency, and showing up when people need help the most. It’s a completely different industry, but the same principles apply; discipline, accountability, and execution.

I’m also the co-founder of Seniors Fight Back, a nonprofit that empowers seniors through self-defense and community programs. That’s one of the areas I’m most proud of because it’s directly changing lives, helping people feel safer, more confident, and more connected.

Beyond that, I serve as a Public Works and Sustainability Commissioner in Irvine, working on infrastructure, safety, and long-term development, and I’m part of the CDFI Advisory Committee for Champions Funding, focused on expanding access to capital and homeownership opportunities for underserved communities.

What I’m most proud of isn’t just the businesses, it’s the impact across different groups of people. From kids and athletes, to seniors, to families in the community, I’ve been able to build platforms that actually help people improve their lives.

What sets me apart is my ability to operate across different industries while staying grounded in the same mission. I’ve taken lessons from being a world champion athlete; discipline, consistency, resilience, and applied them to business, leadership, and community work.

At the end of the day, I don’t just focus on building businesses, I focus on building people and creating systems that make a lasting impact.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is people, my family and the community I serve.

Everything I’ve built, from my businesses to my nonprofit and public service work, comes back to helping people grow stronger, feel more confident, and live with a greater sense of purpose. That’s something martial arts taught me early on, and it’s a principle I’ve carried into every area of my life.

Being a father has made that even more real for me. It’s not just about success anymore, it’s about leading by example, creating opportunities, and helping build a community that my family and others can feel proud to be a part of.

I’ve seen firsthand how the right environment, mentorship, and support can change someone’s life, whether it’s a student gaining confidence, a senior feeling safer, or a family getting access to opportunities they didn’t have before. That’s what drives me.

At the end of the day, what matters most is impact, building people, strengthening communities, and leaving something meaningful behind.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.okakickboxing.com/
• Instagram: @scolesdang
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ronscolesdang/
• Twitter: @scolesdang
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGVyogr1y6s0yY89NaJ99Tw