Coach Nader Fakhoury (pronounced "Fa Cory") is a native of Chicago. He currently holds the rank of Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Coach Nader has been practicing BJJ for about a decade, beginning his career under the tutelage of Black Belt Jeff Serafin (Serafin Jiu-Jitsu). Subsequently, he received his Blue Belt under Branko Milosevic (Black Belt - Robson Moura Association). Due to family and work related obligations, he later trained under Bill Shimuk (Black Belt - Carlson Gracie Team), ultimately receiving his Purple Belt. He has also trained in other martial arts, including TaeKwonDo, Wrestling, and most recently in Muay Thai under the excellent instruction of Chris "Coach Mac" McKenzie.

 

Coach Nader has a very inclusive approach to martial arts, never losing sight of its primary purpose, which is self-defense. In the words of the legendary Bruce Lee: "Absorb what is useful - Discard what is not." Coach Nader keeps an open mind, with regards to the advancement of the various arts—as techniques continue to evolve and be tested in the crucible of competition and in the real world. When not in the academy, you can find him spending time in Wilmette, where he resides with his wife and three amazing children.  An avid fitness and nutrition enthusiast, he enjoys attending functional fitness classes and experimenting to find the best smoothie recipes. Coach Nader works full time as a Medical Optometrist in the Department of Ophthalmology at Cook County Hospital and Cook County Corrections.