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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.

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Our two basic philosophies are:

1) HARD WORK PAYS OFF

2) No matter what… WE NEVER QUIT

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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

  • 24 years Chicago Fire Dept

  • USA Boxing Certified Coach

  • USA Boxing Certified Athlete

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Specialties

Boxing, Kickboxing, Karate, Muay Thai

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Steve Linder

Founder

Head Coach

  • 25 year Federal Law Enforcement Officer

  • 2023 Boston National Masters Boxing Tournament 189 lb. Open Champion

  • 2023 Chicago Golden Gloves Masters Open 189 lb. Runner Up

  • 2022 Chicago Golden Glove Masters 189 lb. Champion 

  • USA Boxing Certified Coach

  • USA Boxing Certified Athlete

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Specialties

Wrestling, Striking,

Anti-Bullying

 & Child Safety

Assistant Coach

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Gaspar Castro

Lead Coach

  • Crossfit Athlete

  • 16 years of CPD service 

Specialties

Boxing, Child Safety, Strength Training

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Pat Jones

Lead Coach

16 years Chicago Fire Department

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Specialties

Kickboxing

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Kirk Davis

Assistant Coach

21 Year Martial Arts Practitioner

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Specialties 

Muay Thai, Hapkido, Wing Chun, Boxing, Karate

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Pat Fahrenbach

Assistant Coach

  • 14 Years Chicago Fire Department

  • United States Marine Corps

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Specialties 

Boxing

Strength Training and Conditioning

Coaching Youth Sports 10+ years

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Jose Ronchetta 

Assistant Coach

American Ninja Warrior Athlete

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Specialties

Boxing

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Trevor Stotts

Assistant Coach

23 Years Chicago Police Department

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Specialties

Boxing

Strength and Conditioning

Nutrition

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Mike Mulcahy

Assistant Coach

  • 11 years Chicago Police Department

  • Golden Gloves Boxer

  • 2006 Light Heavyweight State Champion

  • USA Boxing Certified Athlete

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Specialties 

Boxing

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Ryan Festerling

Assistant Coach

  • US Army Combat Veteran (Iraq)

  • 15 year LEO

  • Certified Fitness Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor

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Specialties

MMA, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu,
Muay Thai, FITE fitness strength and conditioning

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Victor Rivera

Assistant Coach

18 years CPD

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Specialties

Wrestling/Strength Training

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Jose Rojas

Assistant Coach

  • 20 years LEO

  • Winner "Battle of the Badges"

  • Winner "SuperCop"

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Specialties

Boxing

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Matt Parisi

Assistant Coach

  • 16 years federal law enforcement experience

  • 8 years Youth Explorers Advisor

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Specialties

Wrestling

Strength training

Defensive tactics

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Eric Bianchini

Assistant Coach

  • Golden gloves Boxer

  • Winner Battle of The Badges

  • USA Boxing Coach

  • USa Boxing Athlete

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Specialties

Boxing

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Nathan J. Myles

Assistant Coach

  • United States Marine Corps (Combat) Veteran

  • Sergeant Chicago Police

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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

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Specialties

Kickboxing

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Eamon O'Mahony

Assistant Coach

  • 30 amateur boxing matches

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Specialties

Boxing

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Gianna O'Neill 

Assistant Coach

  • Boxing

  • Nutrition

  • Fitness

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Specialties

Boxing

Fitness

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John Setlak

Assistant Coach

20 years law enforcement

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Specialties

10+ years coaching youth sports
Strength training
Child safety

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Patrick Healy

Assistant Coach

  • Chicago Golden Gloves Champion - 189 lbs (2023, 2024)

  • Golden Gloves Masters National Tournament Champion - 189 lbs (2024)

  • 10 years Wrestling - NCAA DIV III National Qualifier (2004)

    • CCIW Conference Champion - (2003)

    • IHSA State Qualifier (2000)

  • 10 years of Football - St. Marys (Riverside), Fenwick

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Specialties

Boxing

Wreslting

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Gianna O'Neill 

Assistant Coach

  • Boxing

  • Nutrition

  • Fitness

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Specialties

Boxing

Fitness

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John Setlak

Assistant Coach

20 years law enforcement

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Specialties

10+ years coaching youth sports
Strength training
Child safety

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Patrick Healy

Assistant Coach

  • Chicago Golden Gloves Champion - 189 lbs (2023, 2024)

  • Golden Gloves Masters National Tournament Champion - 189 lbs (2024)

  • 10 years Wrestling - NCAA DIV III National Qualifier (2004)

    • CCIW Conference Champion - (2003)

    • IHSA State Qualifier (2000)

  • 10 years of Football - St. Marys (Riverside), Fenwick

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Specialties

Boxing

Wreslting

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