ABOUT

Training, coaching and self esteem building are integral at LifeTough Kids.
Our program is TOUGH. We teach much more than boxing and self-defense tactics. We teach the kids to believe in themselves and that anything can be achieved if they work hard enough. We will cultivate and build self-confidence in your child, teach self defense skills from the most novice level. No experience what so ever is required.
Your child will learn boxing skills, kickboxing skills, ground defense and some basic wrestling techniques, all the while building their self esteem and confidence. The kids learn through repetition and practice.
Our goal is to have kids to come out of their comfort zone by putting them in tough situations that test them both physically and mentally. The transformation we see our students make over the course of the 12 weeks is amazing! In this day and age, simple important life skills are sometimes lost. We drill the importance of making eye contact, firm handshakes, and speaking, and walking with confidence.
Our two basic philosophies are:
1) HARD WORK PAYS OFF
2) No matter what… WE NEVER QUIT
We can’t stress enough, this is not a coddling program, we will be tough on your child. We will hold them accountable and a lot of that falls back on you, the parent/guardian. The program works and will work on your kids also. Your kids will gain confidence and self esteem and feel good about themselves, all the while learning how to protect themselves
Life Tough Kids
MEET THE COACHES
Read more about our dedicated staff of volunteer coaches.

Jeff Weber
Head Coach
US Marines
23 years Chicago Fire Dept
USA Boxing Certified Coach
USA Boxing Certified Athlete
Specialties
Boxing, Kickboxing, Karate, Muay Thai

Steve Linder
Founder
Head Coach
23 year
Federal Law Enforcement Officer
2022 Chicago Golden Gloves
Masters 189 lb Champion
USA Boxing Certified Coach
USA Boxing Certified Athlete
Specialties
Wrestling, Striking,
Anti-Bullying
& Child Safety
Assistant Coach

Gaspar Castro
Lead Coach
Crossfit Athlete and 14 years of CPD service
Specialties
Boxing, Child Safety, Strength Training

Pat Jones
Lead Coach
15 years Chicago Fire Department
Specialties
Kickboxing

Kirk Davis
Assistant Coach
20 Year Martial Arts Practitioner
Specialties
Muay Thai, Hapkido, Wing Chun, Boxing, Karate

Pat Fahrenbach
Assistant Coach
13 Years Chicago Fire Department
United States Marine Corps
Specialties
Boxing
Strength Training and Conditioning
Coaching Youth Sports 10+ years

Jose Ronchetta
Assistant Coach
American Ninja Warrior Athlete
Specialties
Boxing

Trevor Stotts
Assistant Coach
22 Years Chicago Police Department
Specialties
Boxing
Strength and Conditioning
Nutrition

Mike Mulcahy
Assistant Coach
10 years Chicago Police Department
Golden Gloves Boxer
2006 Light Heavyweight State Champion
USA Boxing Certified Athlete
Specialties
Boxing

Dan Bolger
Assistant Coach
Golden Gloves Athlete/ 2018 Champion
Competed in Amatuer boxing, kickboxing and MMA
Specialties
Boxing, Wrestling and Shidokan karate

Ryan Festerling
Assistant Coach
US Army Combat Veteran (Iraq)
14 year LEO
Certified Fitness Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor
Specialties
MMA, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu,
Muay Thai, FITE fitness strength and conditioning

Victor Rivera
Assistant Coach
17 years CPD
Specialties
Wrestling/Strength Training

John Hadjioannou
Assistant Coach
Black Belt Tae Kwon Do
21 years police officer
Detective Berwyn Police Department
Coaching youth sports for
13 years
Specialties
Tae Kwon Do,
Coaching Youth Sports

Nathan J. Myles
Assistant Coach
United States Marine Corps (Combat) Veteran
Sergeant Chicago Police Officer
Specialties
2019 Golden Glove Champion
MMA practitioner
Coach/Coordinator for the
CPD boxing Team

Nikki Marvel
Assistant Coach
Ultra Marathoner
Endurance runner
100 mile finisher
2x Grand Canyon Double Crossing finisher
Specialties
Kickboxing

Dan Moynihan
Assistant Coach
17 years CPD
Specialties
Wrestling/Strength Training

John Setlak
Assistant Coach
19 years law enforcement
Specialties
10+ years coaching youth sports
Strength training
Child safety