Leaders for Life Martial Arts — Local services in Champaign

Original review in 2013. My son started a little over two years ago. He is now a recommended second degree black belt. This school has been the best thing for him. He is deaf with a hearing aide and cochlear implant. He has difficulty understanding and teachers at school can be uncaring and not helpful, but at Leaders for Life everyone goes out of their way to make sure he understands and feels a part of the Leader's for Life family. After watching him for six months I decided to join the Leader's for Life family as well. I am now a first degree black belt. I am nearly 50 years old and needed something to challenge me physically and mentally and taekwondo was just the thing! I love going to Leader's for Life because it is so positive and welcoming. Tina and Jeff Newberry make this martial arts school an uplifting, challenging, fun, and inspirational place to be. You are never too old to start, if I can do it anyone can!!

3/20/25 This was so long ago I thought I’d update my review. I even more highly recommend Leaders for Life Martial Arts than I did 12 years ago. I am 62 years old now and I am a 4th degree black belt working toward my 5th degree black belt!! The Newberry’s sold L4L nearly four years ago to Abigail and Kristopher Guerrero. They are young and have a lot of energy to put into the academy. They still have the same great values the Newberry’s had. I have arthritis in nearly every joint and was told nearly ten years ago I’d have knee replacements in 3-5 years. Until a couple weeks ago I have had very little manageable pain in my knees. I had a surgery and could not go to my classes and my chiropractor said my ligaments froze up when I turned wrong and I had less fluid in my knees that I needed for cushioning so the bone spurs wouldn’t poke and cause pain in soft tissue. He said it was the lack of my regular exercise and full range of movement from taekwondo. I can’t wait to get back to...

I can't say enough positive things about Mr. Guerrero! As an instructor, he goes above and beyond to ensure each of his students not only understands the material but also feels inspired to apply it. His teaching style is both engaging and incredibly thorough, making complex concepts feel approachable. Mr. Guerrero is patient, genuinely listens to his students' questions, and never hesitates to offer additional support if someone needs it. He truly cares about each student's success, which makes learning with him such a rewarding experience.

Beyond the classroom, Mr. Guerrero is also an outstanding business owner. Him and his wife runs their business with integrity, a strong work ethic, and a clear passion for what he does. It's evident he pours his heart into every aspect, from building relationships with his clients to continuously improving his services. Their leadership has cultivated a positive environment where both students and clients feel valued and supported.

Whether you’re looking to learn from an expert or do business with someone you can trust, I wholeheartedly recommend Mr. Guerrero. His dedication, knowledge, and passion set him apart, and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to...

I cannot recommend this place enough. The instructors are AMAZING! Back in 2021 my 9-year old son wanted to start martial arts so he began taking taekwondo classes and leadership classes. I was very impressed with both the quality of instruction and the instructors as they do a phenomenal job instilling and reinforcing awesome values into their students. And they are great with kids! (Adults can take classes too!) Then in early 2022 we signed up another one of our children. During late summer of 2022 we made the decision to make this a family activity and we began taking taekwondo classes together as a family...all five of us. As they say, "A family that kicks together, sticks together." :-) Leaders for Life also hosts other events such as a monthly Parents Night Out (to encourage parents to go on date nights while the kids can come to Leaders for Life to play during a themed-night), various targeted taekwondo seminars (i.e. kicking, weapons, etc), stretching/flexibility seminars, Easter Egg hunts, Trunk or Treat, etc. And the community of parents, guardians, and caregivers within the Leaders for Life community is equally amazing...