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meant to test mental endurance as much as physical ability.
While Tavani did not walk away the winner of“ Squid Game: The Challenge,” the experience proved to be one of the most demanding and memorable chapters of her career. For her, the outcome was secondary to the growth that came from the challenge itself.
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Tavani poses in Phoenix, AZ, while attending the American Taekwondo Association( ATA) World Championship in July 2021. |
The experience echoed the same lessons she teaches daily at No Limits Martial Arts: growth comes from discomfort, and nothing meaningful is earned easily.
While“ Squid Game” pushed her in new ways, Tavani remains deeply rooted in Pittsburgh. After years of training and teaching across the
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“ From the moment we landed, the game had already begun,” Tavani recalls.“ It challenged your patience, adaptability and emotional resilience.”
Those traits have been ingrained in Tavani since childhood. Raised in Erie, she began martial arts at age 5— initially inspired by childhood imagination, but soon driven by something deeper. Encouraged by her mother, an educator, Tavani found that martial arts helped build confidence, focus and structure while navigating ADHD and bullying.
By age 13, she was already teaching, and discovering that empowering others was just as satisfying as personal achievement.
That foundation served her well on the“ Squid Game” set, where success depended on strategy, connection and keeping composure under pressure.
“ It wasn’ t just about winning games,” she explains.“ It was about relationships, being aware, and knowing when to lead and when to listen.”
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country, she returned home to open No Limits Martial Arts in 2019— starting from scratch, rolling out mats herself and teaching every class. Today, the school is a thriving community focused on leadership, confidence and personal responsibility.
“ No Limits is a school of life,” says Tavani.“ Martial arts is the vehicle, but the goal is character— helping people believe in themselves and understand that they can rise to any challenge.”
That philosophy continues to guide her future. Tavani splits her time between Pittsburgh and St. Petersburg, Florida, where she lives with her partner, Alex, while continuing to lead her school, prepare to earn her Senior Master Instructor title, and explore new creative projects— including a children’ s book. And yes, she’ s open to more television opportunities!
Whether on the mat, on national television or on a global stage, Alicia Tavani lives by the same principle she teaches her students:“ If it doesn’ t challenge you, it doesn’ t change you,” and there are truly no limits to where that mindset can take you. ■
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