Ron began his martial arts training in 1967, mastering the art of Tang Soo Do. After competing in many point sparring tournaments throughout New England in the late 1960’s and 70’s, Ron began training with Grand Master Joe Rossi, mastering the art of Kun-tao and receiving a sixth-degree blackbelt. Through the years, Ron has trained and instructed many students under a variety of systems, including: Kali, Escrima, Arnis, Wing Chun, Jeet Kune Do, Judo, Russian Sambo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Ron is also Senior full instructor under Larry Hartsell’s Jeet Kune Do/Grappling Association. An experienced Mixed Martial Arts competitor, Ron specializes in getting any motivated athlete looking to compete at the highest Mixed Martial Arts level the tools to be successful.

*John Scully - Boxing
After beginning his boxing career at age 12, John went on to win several regional and national amateur championships, including two Junior Olympic titles, three New England Golden Gloves titles, and three National Invitational amateur Championships. In 1988, John became the first boxer from the state of Connecticut ever to make the U.S Olympic trials where he captured a bronze medal in the 165 pound class. As a professional, John won his first 13 fights before suffering his first defeat. He eventually went on to win the New England middleweight title, the WBF Intercontinental super-middleweight title, and twice fought for the Light-Heavyweight championship of the world. He fought on regional, national and world wide television broadcasts no less than seventeen times during his amateur and professional careers.

After retiring from boxing in 2002 with 49 professional fights under his belt, John has become one of boxing’s top trainers. Among his stable of boxers are IBO world bantamweight champion Mike Oliver, North American Cruiserweight championt Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey, former USBA lightweight champion and now welterweight contender Pito Cardona, and former WBA super-welterweight champion Jose Rivera. The Iceman can also be seen working alongside Joe Tessitore as an analyst/commentator for ESPN’s “Classic Fights.

He now brings his twenty-six years worth of boxing experience to Ken Shamrock’s “Lion’s Den” fitness center in Middletown, Ct.

*Pito Cardona - Boxing, Cardio
After turning pro, Pito won his first 24 fights before suffering his first defeat. He went on to win several world titles including the USBA and NABF lightweight tiltes and the IBO junior lightweight and super-welterweight championships. After a brief retirement, Pito has resumed his boxing career and is now a welterweight contender training under the guidance of top boxing trainer, John Scully. Along with his succesful pro career, Pito is also an established coach and trainer, one time running the Hartford Police Athletic League boxing program where he trained both kids and adults in physical fitness and boxing techniques. He now brings his experience to Ken Shamrock’s Lions Den fitness center in Middletown, Ct.

*Johnny Callas - Boxing
A former three time all-American collegiate boxer with Central Connecticut State University, Johnny Callas fought against some of the world’s top amateurs from Russia to the Czech Republic. After a successful amateur career, Johnny went on to run the Charter Oak boxing club in Hartford where he helped develop over 70 Junior Olympic boxing champions. Along with years of boxing and coaching experience, Johnny is currently one of boxing’s top officials, officiating some of boxing’s top fighters today. He now brings his experience to Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den fitness center in Middletown, Ct where he has developed and will run the Junior Olympic youth boxing program for kids and teens.

*Sarajean Walsh - Cardio and Fitness Classes
Sara got her start in the fitness industry at the age of 21 in 2002. She is a Certified Personal Trainer through NASM and AFAA, and also a Certified Group Exercise Instructor through AFAA. Sara’s further certifications include Kickboxing, Pilates, barefoot training, and several other fitness modalities. She has practiced kickboxing for several years, and is currently studying Jeet Kune Do under Sifu Collin Lieberman. Sara’s current academic pursuit is in Sports Management/Fitness and Wellness through California University of Pennsylvania. Keeping up to date on the newest developments and research in the industry is a priority to her.

After being the Group Exercise Director at WOW Fitness in Glastonbury from 2005 until they ended their program this summer, Sara has decided to take some different paths in fitness training. Now honing the skills she has and allowing her different backgrounds to work in tandem, Sara is finding groundbreaking ways to mold programs with purposeful intensity, and bring them to the general population, athletes, martial artists, and anyone who is ready to take their physical activity to the next level. She merges functionality with simplicity, power with balance, and intensity with focus. You will find anything from barefoot sprints to one-armed planks, to deep breathing practices all in the same hour. That’s why Sarajean’s classes will never get boring and will always get you the results you need.

*Gina Santoro - Women’s Self Defense & Cardio Training 
Gina Santoro, who is a certified instructor under Ron Kosakowski and Sifu Larry Hartsell (an original Bruce Lee student) in Jeet Kune Do, Grappling and Filipino martial arts. Gina is currently a Kuntao Brown Belt having been in Kun Tao Dumpag since 1997.

Gina has been at Ron Kosakowski’s Practical Self Defense Training Center since 1996, and in those years has had to through rigorous training along with standup fighting in Jeet Kune Do Kickboxing, Muay Thai, stick fighting, knife fighting and grappling in order to get her instructorship. She has also been along side Ron Kosakowski teaching fighters for Muay Thai, grappling and MMA for many years. She has also ran (and still does run) a Women only JKD kickboxing class since 1999 at the Practical Self Defense Training Center in Waterbury, CT.

Gina Santoro has found it to be very important to teach women self defense. She is offering a women’s self defense course as well. Martial art training in Gina’s classes will, of course bring out and enhance your survival instincts with fighting skill behind it.
Gina has been teaching Rape and Mugging prevention seminar at The PSDTC for the past 10 years. Other Rape and Mugging Prevention seminars she has taught include Westover High school (5yrs), Uconn, Southern university, Tokyo Post, Bali’s gym, Timex, Uniroyal, Foothills Adult Education, Torrington and Winsted CT (5 years), Litchfield Community Center 2007, Girls scout Troop 2006 & 2007, Litchfield High school (senior class) 2008

*Joe Abate - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Popular mixed martial arts tournaments (UFC) have proven that grappling and submission techniques form the foundation of any serious martial artist’s skill set. Jiu-jitsu, one of the world’s most practiced martial arts, are the only disciplines that encompass the entire range of ground grappling techniques. Students learn a progressive and cutting edge form of jiu-jitsu that emphasizes practical, easy-to-learn techniques. Outdated training methods, popular among traditional clubs, are replaced with dynamic drills and “live” practice time.

Students learn learn to subdue their opponent by using joint locks, chokes, and dominant positions. The class is active and engaging, allowing students to immediately apply the techniques they learn to real world situations. Essential self-defense skills are developed while students enjoy an unparalleled workout that builds strength, increases flexibility, and boosts endurance in a fun safe environment.

*Charlotte Fey Kjaerulff - Spinning
Charlotte is certified Spinning instructor from Europe and has been Spinning since 2000 in fitness clubs in and around Europe and the U.S. She has been teaching classes in local clubs since 2007. She has years of experience from the fitness industry and has besides spinning practiced step aerobics and participated in various international conventions.  

Spinning helps individuals of all ages and levels of ability achieve their goals of being fit and healthy, and it’s more than a complete workout. Every workout will be fun, challenging and motivating.

Your “Ride” begins with a single pedal stroke and great music sets the pace.  Come to the class and get started today. 

*Yvonne Ledoux - Spinning
Yvonne became a certified Spinning instructor in May of 2007. She received her certification from SPINNING which is the originating organization that developed the SPIN program.She teaches the early AM classes and enjoys using a variety of modern & rock music to motivate her students. Yvonne makes her classes interesting by adding in “destination” rides as well as “skill rides” (ie heart rate monitoring, race day rides, etc). During her classes she stresses techniques and encourages her students to work to the next level. Yvonne’s classes consist of beginners to seasoned “riders”, all of whom get a workout tailored to their abilities.

Yvonne regularly takes continuing education courses so she can bring this knowledge to her classes and students.

When not working or teaching class Yvonne can be found working out elsewhere in the gym and avidly enjoys skiing, outdoor cycling, rollerblading and kayaking.

*Blair Tugman - Submission Wrestling

*Frank Latina - MMA
Beginning his career in Jiu-Jitsu in 1999, Frank began training in full Mixed Martial Arts in 2000. Frank competed in local amateur Shootfighting events and eventually won the ISFL lightweight title in 2001. Frank turned professional in 2004, fighting in organizations such as COMBATZONE, EXTREME FIGHTING INTERNATIONAL and the INTERNATIONAL FIGHT LEAGUE (IFL). An accomplished, well-rounded mixed Martial arts professional, Frank continues to climb the Mixed Martial Arts ranks. Along with being a seasoned competitor, Frank has also trained local fighters on all levels. He now brings his experience and skill to Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den in Middletown, Ct., where he will be teaching BEGINNERS/INTERMEDIATE MMA and the LION’S DEN MMA PROGRAM for kids. A Current Member of the Middletown CT’s LIONS DEN FIGHT TEAM.

*Ryan Verret - MMA
With over 10 years experience in FOLK style wrestling, Ryan earned Art Power Dual Championships and was a LL tournament runner-up. After 5 more years of freestyle wrestling, Ryan entered the world of Mixed Martial Arts, where he learned to combine multiple grappling arts into submission wrestling. Ryan has fought for notable organizations such as WFL, USFL, and CAGEFIGHT MMA. In his six pro fights, Ryan received “submission of the night” awards twice and recently fought UFC light heavyweight contender John Jones. He now brings his experience to Ken Shamrock’s Lion’s Den in Middletown, Ct where he will be teaching Kids MMA and Submission Wrestling for adults.

 *Jason Gruczka – Cardio Muay Thai

Greg has always been into athletics and sports, after receiving a Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training at Plymouth State University, he was in a horrible car accident which left him with only 70% usage of his left arm and out of the gym for a year, determined to stay the course he went on to receive his Masters of Science from SCSU, and was certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a Health and Fitness Specialist. Greg has worked with a wide range of clients from college athletes, to the weekend warrior, children as young as 10 to the adluts in thier 90s, total knee and hip replacements to Parkinsons and Multiple Sclorosis patients. If you have the drive to improve your life he has the way. Greg uses a multiple of training techniques from kettlebells to free weights and more to achieve each clients personal goal. Greg will be teaching the strength and conditioning class on Sunday afternoon.