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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.

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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

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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

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Gaspar Castro

Lead Coach

Crossfit Athlete and 14 years of CPD service 

Specialties

Boxing, Child Safety, Strength Training

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Pat Jones

Lead Coach

15 years Chicago Fire Department

Specialties

Kickboxing

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Kirk Davis

Assistant Coach

20 Year Martial Arts Practitioner

Specialties 

Muay Thai, Hapkido, Wing Chun, Boxing, Karate

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Pat Fahrenbach

Assistant Coach

13 Years Chicago Fire Department

United States Marine Corps

Specialties 

Boxing

Strength Training and Conditioning

Coaching Youth Sports 10+ years

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Jose Ronchetta 

Assistant Coach

American Ninja Warrior Athlete

Specialties

Boxing

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Trevor Stotts

Assistant Coach

22 Years Chicago Police Department

Specialties

Boxing

Strength and Conditioning

Nutrition

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Mike Mulcahy

Assistant Coach

10 years Chicago Police Department

Golden Gloves Boxer

2006 Light Heavyweight State Champion

USA Boxing Certified Athlete

Specialties 

Boxing

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Dan Bolger

Assistant Coach

Golden Gloves Athlete/ 2018 Champion
Competed in Amatuer boxing, kickboxing and MMA

Specialties

 Boxing, Wrestling and Shidokan karate

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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

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Victor Rivera

Assistant Coach

17 years CPD

Specialties

Wrestling/Strength Training

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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

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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

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Nikki Marvel

Assistant Coach

Ultra Marathoner
Endurance runner
100 mile finisher
2x Grand Canyon Double Crossing finisher

Specialties

Kickboxing

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Dan Moynihan

Assistant Coach

17 years CPD

Specialties

Wrestling/Strength Training

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John Setlak

Assistant Coach

19 years law enforcement

Specialties

10+ years coaching youth sports
Strength training
Child safety

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