The Team Chip Podcast

#52 FROM HOBBY TO BUSINESS: Shifting Your Mindset for Success

In this episode of The Team Chip Podcast, Chip Townsend breaks down a major mindset shift: moving from treating your martial arts school like a hobby to running it like a serious business. Many school owners start with passion—but without structure, systems, and a business mindset, even the most dedicated instructors can burn out or stall out. Chip dives into what a hobby mindset looks like, why it holds school owners back, and what practical steps you can take to start building a strong, sustainable business that serves your students and community better.

#51 LEADING THE NEXT GENERATION: Managing Young Staff w/ Brian LaCroix

In this episode of The Team Chip Podcast, Chip Townsend is joined by Brian Lacroix, local owner/operator at Chick-fil-A, to explore how to effectively manage and lead young staff.

Brian shares practical strategies for working with teens and young adults, including how to build accountability, create a culture of growth, and provide meaningful mentorship. If you’re leading a team of younger employees—whether in a martial arts school or another business—this episode is full of helpful insight.

If you enjoy the conversation, please subscribe and leave a review. It helps us reach more school owners and leaders like you.

#50 BEST EFFORT VS. BEST PERFORMANCE w/ Glyn Ann Townsend

In this follow-up to the popular “Raising the Bar” episode, Chip and Glyn Ann Townsend return to unpack a subtle but powerful concept: the difference between giving your best effort and achieving the best performance.

Together, they dive into how constant comparison can chip away at a child’s confidence, create burnout, and stunt long-term growth—especially in high-expectation environments like martial arts. Instead, they offer a better way: teaching students to take pride in giving their best, regardless of outcome.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why comparison is the thief of joy (especially for kids)

• How to shift focus from external validation to internal effort

• Practical ways to encourage progress, not perfection

• How this mindset shift builds stronger, more resilient students

Whether you're a parent, instructor, or martial arts school owner, this conversation is packed with insight and strategies to help the next generation rise to the challenge—with heart, hustle, and healthy perspective.

#49 HOW YOU DO ANYTHING IS HOW YOU DO EVERYTHING

In this episode of The Team Chip Podcast, Chip Townsend breaks down a powerful truth: How you do anything is how you do everything. The small habits you build—whether in training, business, or daily life—shape your long-term success. Chip dives into why details matter, how cutting corners in the little things leads to bigger failures, and how discipline in martial arts translates to excellence in all areas of life.

#48 ENHANCING YOUR BUSINESS WITH CRM: Insights from Ron Sell

In this episode of The Team Chip Podcast, Chip is joined by Ron Sell to dive into the power of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) for martial arts schools. They break down what makes a great CRM, how to choose the right system (even if you're not tech-savvy), and the key ways CRM can save time, boost retention, and help your school grow. Plus, Ron shares insights on Spark Custom Relationship Management and how it’s built specifically for martial arts businesses. Tune in for practical strategies to streamline operations, strengthen student connections, and take your school to the next level!

Spark: https://sparkmembership.com/ 

#47 TEACHING LIFE SKILLS THROUGH MARTIAL ARTS: Going Beyond Techniques w/ Manny De Los Santos

In this episode of The Team Chip Podcast, Chip Townsend is joined by Manny De Los Santos to explore how martial arts goes beyond techniques to instill life-changing character traits. They discuss why teaching life skills is a must when empowering students with the ability to defend themselves and how traits like discipline, perseverance, and integrity shape students both on and off the mat. Tune in for practical strategies on integrating character development into your curriculum, using focus anchors, mat chats, and themed training cycles to reinforce values like accountability and leadership.

Check out the Matheny Manifesto here: https://dt5602vnjxv0c.cloudfront.net/portals/7572/docs/mikemathenylettertoparents.pdf 

#46 KEEPING STUDENTS HOOKED: How to Keep Martial Arts Kids Engaged and Coming Back w/ Christopher Tersak

In this episode of The Team Chip Podcast, Chip Townsend sits down with Christopher Tersak to discuss key tips for keeping your martial arts students engaged and committed. They cover strategies like creating a varied curriculum, offering personalized attention, setting clear goals, and maintaining consistent communication to boost student retention and satisfaction.

 

To learn more about Tersak's Family Martial Arts Academy: https://tersaksmartialarts.com/

#45 PROTECTING CHILDHOOD: How Martial Arts Helps Kids Stay Focused in a Distracted World

In this episode of The Team Chip Podcast, Chip Townsend sits down with Glyn Ann Townsend to discuss how martial arts can help kids stay grounded, focused, and resilient in a world full of digital distractions. They explore the challenges today’s kids face with screens and social media, how martial arts builds real-world connections and self-discipline, and what school owners and parents can do to create an environment where kids thrive.

#44 The P.A.R.E.N.T. Approach: Raising Respectful, Resilient, and Confident Kids

In this episode of The Team Chip Podcast, Chip Townsend breaks down the P.A.R.E.N.T. approach—six key principles that help parents and martial arts instructors shape strong, responsible kids. From being truly present to setting high expectations and teaching resilience, Chip shares real strategies for raising kids who are respectful, confident, and prepared for life’s challenges. Tune in to discover how small shifts in parenting and leadership can create a lasting impact on a child’s character and success! 

#43 STRENGTHENING YOUR TEAM: Leadership and Innovative Team-Building with Jody Holland

In this episode of The Team Chip Podcast, Chip is joined by leadership and team-building expert Jody Holland to dive into the psychology behind building a strong, motivated team. They explore how great leadership is the foundation of any successful martial arts school or business, the common mistakes leaders make, and how to create a culture of accountability and growth. Jody shares valuable insights on what truly drives team success, the mindset shifts leaders need to make, and practical strategies for developing a staff that is engaged, disciplined, and committed. Tune in for powerful takeaways you can apply today!