Champ Up Chat

"Earning takes much more effort, much struggle. You've got to put in the work, however many years, months, weeks and you've been working towards something gives you the opportunity to earn the reward."   Chris earned the WKA North American Muay Thai title in 2004 just after coming home from the   IFMA World Championships held in Thailand. He talks about the whole experience in detail (the bloody s...

"Coaching is really absolutely about helping you as an individual and finding the answers within yourself and that comes from deep introspection in your part."   Chris and Sarah talks about Chris' re-entry into jiujitsu and getting back into Muay Thai as he was able to go to a friend's gym in North Jersey wherein he'd get close contact with another trainee who tested positive for COVID. Chris emph...

"That age-old saying 'leave your ego at the door', you will need that ego. When it comes to your health and wellness, you're going to go in there with your ego— take on this journey with your ego saying, 'I want to improve myself. When you face challenges and setbacks, you're not going to let those define you and crush your ambition."   In this week's Champ Up Chat, Chris and Sarah talk about the...

After putting Muay Thai on the back burner to commit himself to fatherhood, Chris walks us through the days that the sport reeled him back in. He decided to jump back in and fully engulf himself as a martial artist and as a role model for his son. He reignited his passion by seeking out a gym in New York City but, again, spent a short time there. His desire to find a coach that aligned with his pr...

In this episode, Chris continues his life story after his victorious Muay Thai debut. Chris narrates what happened when his father figure and coach, Tommy went back to Thailand and left the gym. He then talks about his experiences as a twenty-three-year-old dad and his efforts to break the cycle of his disconnection between him and his father. This podcast highlights the choices he made between co...

Chris and Sarah are back behind the mic to revisit insights from episode three about INCITING INCIDENTS. ⁣ A conversation on the decision to move forward from the reality Chris had in front of him, finding Muay Thai and how it SAVED his life. ⁣In this episode, Chris talks a lot about his first coach, Tommy, and the influence he had on him, not just in the sport but more importantly, in LIFE. ⁣⁣ ⁣C...

"It's not a matter of 'if life knocks you down,' it's a matter of 'when." Listen as Chris sits down with GRIT Coaching Client, Paul Rossy, father, financial advisor and President of the Muay Thai Federation of Puerto Rico. Acknowledging breakdowns and breakthroughs— Paul opens up about the shifts in his fitness and mindset journey being in the program. He unpacks briefly into his past as he talks...

Should you stay where you are, in the ordinary world or answer the call? In this episode, Chris and Sarah dig deep on the topic of Chris growing up with a declining family dynamic; how he got into alcoholism as a young adult, coping, and finally letting go of self-destructive vices that weren't serving him. This episode focuses on inciting incidents— a pivotal stage in life where anyone is present...

In this episode, Chris and Sarah run through the life of a young Chris Romulo— his family dynamics, coming of age hardships, and his first encounter with his love for martial arts. They will also delve into physical culture, the real fights in life, and nailing yourself down to a purpose.

"We all have a champion in us... we all have that spirit to want more but we let those dictators cover us up."   In this episode, six-time Muay Thai champion, Chris Romulo with his wife and coaching partner, Sarah Romulo talk about the seven dictators of the mind. They will also discuss:  What it means to become uprising champions What it takes to battle internal struggles How to find your champio...

Joe Fox is a former law enforcement professional turned life and leadership coach. He works with a wide range of people to help them forge strong and sustainable relationships and become leaders in their communities or industries. Joe's eight count happened on September 11, 2001, when New York City was crippled by terrorist attacks. After he discovered that his nephew lost his life as a first resp...

Frances and Boom Watthanaya own and operate Wor. Watthana Gym in Northeastern Thailand, where they help at-risk youth in the village through Muay Thai. They opened the gym in 2014 and have been helping to educate, nourish, and care for kids of all ages in rural Thailand. When Frances and Boom set out to open a Muay Thai gym for the poverty-stricken youth in their Northeastern Thailand village, the...

Jared Gordon is a lightweight mixed martial arts champion who has competed in the UFC, Duelo de Giagantes, and Cage Fury Fighting Championship. "Flash" also speaks out on addiction, recovery, and mental health. Jared opens up about the moment at nine years old that led him to a life of addiction and how he overcame drug and alcohol abuse for a life of service to others. The lightweight fighter's s...

Ryan Michler is the host of Order of Man, a podcast dedicated to helping men become better versions of themselves. He is also a husband, father to four children, and an Iraqi War Veteran. Ryan, who grew up without a father, knows all too well the side effects of growing up without a positive male role model in his life. Ryan had just returned home from Iraq when he and his wife decided to get sepa...

Richie Hardcore is an educator, keynote speaker, and activist, working in violence prevention, masculinities, mental health, and wellness. He is also a retired multiple New Zealand Muay Thai champion who now works as a coach and personal trainer. He's helped some of New Zealand's most successful fighters achieve their goals. A relationship gone wrong led Richie down a dark hole of depression and m...

Sean George is CIO at Strukturinvest. He's worked in the financial industry at Cantor Fitzgerald, Bank of America, Deutsche Bank, and more. He has also competed in Muay Thai and is an adventure enthusiast. On 9/11, Sean watched two planes hit the World Trade Center towers. Despite holding on to hope, he ultimately knew he lost dozens of friends and coworkers. He told himself he'd never live anothe...

Larry Hagner is the host of The Dad Edge Podcast, a podcast dedicated to helping men become the best versions of themselves so they can raise the best versions of their children. While packing for a move to a new house, Larry hit rock bottom as a dad when he lost his cool. What he did afterward made him turn inward for some deep introspection. And what came out of that was The Good Dad Project, an...

Chris Wilson is an author, artist, and social advocate. At 17 years old Chris was found guilty of murder and charged with a life sentence. But once in prison, he began to formulate a Master Plan to rehabilitate himself. In prison, he began studying, mentoring others, and fighting for his freedom. At 32 years old he was released from prison and faced a new challenge--reacclimating himself to the wo...

Tony Blauer has been in the martial arts, self-defense, defensive tactics, and combatives industry for four decades and is one of the only combatives experts who has successfully affected training in self-defense, combat sports, and military and law enforcement sectors. His research on overcoming fear has influenced over three decades of reality-based martial artists. In this episode of The Eight...

Ryan Lee has been an entrepreneur for the last 20 years. He is the creator of Freedym, an online academy that teaches people how to turn their ideas and passions into recurring revenue, and Rewind, energy bars free from gluten, dairy, soy, artificial sweeteners, and added sugar. Ryan reveals how the passing of someone close to him caught him off guard and knocked him to the canvas for an eight cou...

Kevin "The Soul Assassin" Ross is an artist and a pioneer in American Muay Thai. Throughout his career, he has won the super-lightweight WBC International title, the welterweight WBC USA National title, the FIDAM welterweight title of Mexico, and the United States Muay Thai Federation welterweight title. He is also the current Bellator Kickboxing featherweight champion. I am truly honored to have...

Anthony Melchiorri was the executive producer and host of Hotel Impossible on the Travel Channel for an astounding 108 episodes for 9 seasons. And now he is the host of his brand new show on Facebook Live, Instant Turnaround . Discover how Anthony Melchiorri battled through a childhood of hardship to become the global influencer he is today. In business, relationships, and life, you want to have a...

I'm Chris Romulo, a six-time Muay Thai champion turned speaker, coach, and podcaster. On The Eight Count podcast, I explore the championship mindset of entrepreneurs, business owners, and athletes to uncover the tactics they use to beat the count and win at life. In this first episode of The Eight Count, I tell you what you can expect from listening to the podcast and talk about my Eight Count mom...