The Team Chip Podcast

In this episode, Chip sits down with Penny Vieau, military veteran and fitness professional, to discuss her journey from military service to a 30+ year career in fitness and wellness. Penny shares what led her to pursue her passion, the importance of staying active as we age, and why building strength is about more than just exercise. They also discuss family, leadership, and the importance of staying healthy so we can continue showing up for the people who matter most.

What do you give yourself permission to stop doing when things get busy? As the Christmas season approaches, it’s easy for school owners to let follow-ups slip, put less effort into class preparation, or overlook problems until January. In this episode, Chip breaks down how seasonal excuses can quietly lower standards, weaken culture, and cost you students. Learn how to adjust to a busy season without lowering expectations, keep your team accountable, and finish the year strong. Don’t spend January fixing problems you gave yourself permission to create in November and December.

What separates those who build successful schools from those who just talk about it? Chip sits down with Levi Potter, owner of Good Martial Arts, to discuss taking action, asking for help, and learning as you go. From opening his school at 19 to learning through trial and error, Levi shares why you don't need all the answers to get started. Stop waiting until you have it all figured out. Ask for help, take action, and get better.

Should you teach every belt the same way? The answer is no. In this episode, Chip breaks down how instruction should change as students grow, from building confidence and grit in beginners to holding black belts to higher standards. He explains how trust and relationships make tough corrections possible, why students need to learn to work through challenges, and how instructors can know when to encourage, challenge, or turn up the pressure. The goal is to meet students where they are while continuing to raise the standard as they grow.

How do you get a business off the ground and keep it growing through the bumps along the way? Chip sits down with Stace Sanchez of Kick Pics to talk about how he got started, the challenges he faced, and how his business has grown through the relationships he’s built. They also discuss how school pictures can help martial arts schools with marketing and retention by getting students excited and giving families something to look forward to.

Do you really know the people you serve, or do you just know their names? In this episode, Chip breaks down the POGO Method for building better relationships with students and families: Personal, Organization, Goals, and Obstacles. Learn how genuinely understanding the people you serve can help you communicate better, anticipate challenges, and ultimately serve them better. Who are you serving that you don't really know yet?

What does it really take to build a successful martial arts school? Chip sits down with Mike Guido to talk about the work, mindset, systems, and leadership behind building a successful school. They discuss Mike’s approach to planning his week, showing up early and staying late, building a team, learning to delegate, and developing the black belt mindset that keeps him moving forward. This is a look at what it really takes to build a school that lasts.

Instructors are trained to look for mistakes. But does every mistake need to be corrected immediately? In this episode, Chip breaks down when to let a mistake go, when to teach it, and when to stop it immediately. He explains how instructors can look past the symptom, identify the root problem, and teach students to think, adjust, and eventually correct themselves.

Doug Peters, CEO and President of the Chamber of Commerce, joins Chip to talk about why getting involved with your local Chamber matters. It’s one of the best ways to connect with like-minded business owners, build relationships in your community, and get your school known by the people around you. Listen to this episode to learn how getting involved can open doors for your school and your community.

Most school owners think they have a testing problem. They don't. They have a preparation problem. In this episode, Chip breaks down why testing and belt promotions should never be something students suddenly prepare for a few weeks before the big day. When every class is structured around clear expectations, meaningful corrections, and consistent growth, testing simply reveals what students have been working toward all along. Testing doesn't begin on testing day. It begins on day one.