Today we’d like to introduce you to Sue Garstki.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sue. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started martial arts back in the 70’s when attacks on females were very prevalent. Judo was the big thing at that time, for women. There was a judo school a few blocks away next door to the Ramova Theater in Bridgeport. I went in and took a few classes, thus getting my start in Martial Arts, My next step was Karate, I worked my way up to Second Degree black belt, for a few reasons….to prove that I could do it….to really learn how to protect myself….because someone said that I could never do it, I loved Karate, but wanted something just for me to go escape into. I found Krav Maga and was hooked. It was the most practical, no nonsense self defense system I had every practiced in. I trained every day, until I was honored enough to find myself on a plane heading to the Krav Maga National Training Center in Los Angeles for my instructor training. This was one of my greatest accomplishments. I was being trained by the best Krav Maga Instructor’s in the world, and went home being a certified Krav Maga Instructor. From there I continued to train and teach. I wanted to know all I could about the Israel systems (they were so practical) so I traveled all over to train with Instructors and be certified in many different styles and systems. I always believed that the natural course of martial arts was student, instructor, and ultimately school owner, and that’s exactly how it went for me. I own 2 successful Krav Maga Reality Self Defense schools. I have an amazing cast of instructors and staff. My husband, Larry is the Boxing Coach at the gym and proudly we are a USA Boxing gym with students who are both competitive and enthusiasts. We (Larry and I) recently were certified as Rock Steady Boxing Coaches (a boxing program for people with Parkinson’s disease) and are so proud to offer the Rock Steady Boxing Program at Krav Maga Illinois. My dream was to help people become safer, more secure and confident, and through my programs at Krav Maga Illinois I am able to not only help people fight crime, but Parkinson’s disease as well!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Everything I have done, has been from scratch. I learned from my mistakes. I built my school based on my love of martial arts, and sincere desire to make a difference in people’s lives. I do my best and am always evolving and trying new ways to make others aware of the need for self defense training. I never felt a struggle, since I looked at it as being blessed, just by having the ability to do what I do. I don’t pay attention to negativity, so anything that could have been a potential problem was whisked away before it became a problem.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Krav Maga Illinois – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Krav Maga Illinois is a reality self defense training center, addressing real world problems as related to self defense. We offer self defense training for adults and children. We are an official licensee of Krav Maga Worldwide, with certified instructors teaching specific curriculums, designed to increase muscle memory, situational awareness, reaction time and response to a threat we strengthen the entire body in order to withstand a violent encounter. We have a Force Training Class for Law Enforcement and Active Military only, which focuses on weapons retention, use of force, and specific counters and combative to handle situations one may encounter while on the job. Along with self defense training, we offer a side dish of quality boxing instruction, whether you are a boxing enthusiast or wish to be a competitive boxer. We have official coaches producing champion boxers. New to our program is Rock Steady Boxing, for persons with Parkinson’s disease. This program is proven to slow, stop or reverse the progression of Parkinson’s disease by a system of forced exercise. These students are true warriors in the fight against Parkinson’s disease. Altogether, Krav Maga Illinois is a training facility offering the best in self defense and self-empowerment training. We have developed a community here, where together we can build strength, courage, confidence and the will to survive any situation. Krav Maga Illinois, learn to protect yourself and your family, while getting in the best shape of your life.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am currently working on a business plan, so that I can share the mission of Krav Maga Illinois, which is to bring quality self defense and empowerment, and enrichment to everyone, at all levels, ages and abilities, by opening up centers all over the State of Illinois. I would like to share what I have learned about this business, with others, so that they may feel the passion and have the satisfaction of enriching people’s lives through this simplistic Krav Maga training program.
Pricing:
- We have a 6 Month, 12 Month, and Open Program ranging in price from $108/month to $189/month
Contact Info:
- Address: 2200 Skokie Valley Road
Highland Park, Illinois 600355201 North Oketo
Chicago, Illinois 60656 - Website: KravMagaIllinois.com
- Phone: 773-775-5201
- Email: ILKravMaga@aol.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Krav-Maga-Illinois
