Champ Up Chat

Ever walked into something thinking you had it all figured out… only to get smacked in the face—literally or metaphorically? In this episode, we're talking about that awkward training partner we all have: uncertainty . Whether it's your job, your relationships, your health, or stepping into the ring for a fight, uncertainty is part of the game—and how you  respond to it is what defines your growth...

We've all been there—pushing hard, staying locked in, and then… hitting a wall.  So how do you build real  discipline without running yourself into the ground? In this episode, we're breaking down  five ways to strengthen your discipline muscle—without burnout. But first—we're sharing a  big update  about our  5-Day Resilience Challenge  and how YOU can now go through it at your own pace!  Also, C...

Let's start the New Year strong! Listen in as Sarah and I talk about what most people get wrong about being a champion.  We dive into resilience—the backbone of navigating life's set-backs and knockdowns. Also, in this episode, we're keeping it real about the highs and lows of 2024, from facing health scares to making big professional moves. We'll break down resilience and how it isn't just about...

Yo, Adrian!! We're diving headfirst into the illusion of perfection and why it's time to stop waiting for the "right moment." In this episode, we reflect on lessons learned from The Rocky Run half-marathon (and conquering the infamous Drago Hill), launching our first Muay Thai gym under less-than-ideal circumstances, and embarking on a game-changing digital detox.   We'll explore the power of smal...

After a long hiatus since July 2023, we're back in action! In this episode, we dive into what kept us away, from burnout to a whirlwind of travel and speaking engagements. We also open up about Chris's major health challenge this past summer—a blood clot scare that led to significant lifestyle changes. Today, we're focusing on resilience: how small, consistent habits can help us bounce back from l...

"It is such an odd thing to see your father and a stranger wrapped up into one person." -unknown In this week's episode of Champ Up Chat, we delve into the complex topic of father trauma. Chris shares his personal experience growing up with a physically present but emotionally absent father. Throughout the conversation, he discusses how his father's behavior affected him and his transformative jou...

Welcome to another exciting episode of Champ Up Chat! In today's installment, we delve into an unexpected aspect of Muay Thai as we explore Chris's greatest frustrations as a competitor, referee, and coach. Brace yourself, because it might not be what you're anticipating! Prepare for some cringe-worthy moments as we, as fitness pros and entrepreneurs, open up about our most embarrassing blunders....

Episode 54 Sarah and I are back on today with our new Champ Up Chat Q&A session. We took a few questions from you guys and gave our best thoughts and insights on how to address whatever challenges that you might be facing.  We dive into putting our peers on pedestals, pre-fight tactics, confidence through competence, and listening to our bodies especially when it comes to nutrition and sleep. We a...

Episode 53 Today, our guest is Eddie "Silky Smooth" Abasolo, a passionate fighter who has been through it all and truly emodoies the Fall 7 times, Stand up 8 philosophy. Eddie shares his unique perspective on what it takes to succeed in the fight game, covering everything from perseverance to sacrifice.  Amateur record: 12-1 IKF World Championship IKF West Coast Classic IKF US Champion CA Champion...

Ep 52- How To Smile No Matter What Sarah took the day off so that I could chat with an individual who is the epitome of what it means to live as a champion, John Esposito Jr.   On December 20th, 2021, John met his fate in an accident at work that changed his life forever.   So on today's episode of Champ Up Chat, John shares his near-death experience and how he navigates everyday to keep taking st...

We took almost a year off and completely missed sitting in the dungeon and sharing the Champ Up word!   We share what it's like to shadowbox on the altar, breakdance with a bunch of 5th graders, and eat like ya mean it, amongst lots of other cool stuff.    Listen in and hit us up to let us know who you want to see us interivew in this upcoming season of Champ Up Chat at:   @alignwithsarah @chris.r...

Welcome to Episode 50 of Champ Up Chat! Being a champion isn't for the chosen few. Being a champion is for the few that choose. In this episode, Sarah and I talked about how self-talk has created your reality and guides your subconscious. Then we turn self-talk into actions, whether it is anabolic or catabolic. We all hold ourselves back because of our fear, anxiety and undesirable thoughts of; "w...

"A dream is your creative vision for your life in the future. A goal is what specifically you intend to make happen. Dreams and goals should be just out of your present reach but not out of sight. Dreams and goals are coming attractions in your life." -Joseph Campbell Last episode we talked about vision boarding, where you could put pictures of your dreams and goals on your wall, phone or desktop...

We're back! Today's episode was a bit choppy in the beginning for about 40 sec but all smooth sailing after that as we chat about vision boarding.  It is a technique we used to build the life that we wanted for almost a decade. But after a few days of dealing with some health issues it gave me some time to open my eyes to "vision work". This vital technique can improve all your QoL arenas; family,...

Today on the Champ Up Chat, Sarah and I, discuss one of the most vital components to deep health, fitness and overall quality of life. Sleep. Yes, it's important for proper rest and recovery from a long stressful day, but we sometimes take it for granted or we struggle with it in general. There are so many more reasons why experiencing first-rate sleep can improve every human function, from kickin...

In today's episode, Sarah and I talk about a concept we all are familiar with, but tend to forget about, especially when it comes to creating "positive" change in our world. We tend to think of karma in terms of when "bad" things happen. But karma doesn't exist just in a form of punishment. It works for building dreams, ambitions and quality of life. "You reap what you sow" Karma is a function of...

Fate is what life brings to you. Destiny is what you bring to life.-Will Craig Common belief is that fate and destiny are one in the same because most people aren't into semantics. You don't have to be obsessed with word definitions to know that there is a difference.  Today, Sarah and I chat about the difference that can make a huge perspective shift for you in your life as you go about your own...

We're back! Took a week off to re-group but we are glad to be back on track. In today's episode we chat about 2 ways that we can all bring some primal well-being into our lives. Grounding and forest bathing. Being born and raised in Queens, NY, getting out into nature wasn't something I grew up with. After meeting Sarah and moving to Rockaway Beach, she opened me up to reconnecting with Mother Ear...

This week on the Champ Up Chat, I had the privilege of talking to retired Muay Thai Champion, well-respected Muay Thai commentator, and Founder of The Muay Thai Project.  We talk about his journey of becoming a champion, handling a career ending injury and how all that was sparked by an unconventional but vital call to adventure. Listen to his story of why he started The Muay Thai Project and how...

𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘥𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘜𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘦, 𝘛𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘴. 𝘈𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘶𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Today we talk about the perfection of life when you can wake-up, put your feet on the ground and make one more attempt at experiencin...

"If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything."- Malcom X This week, Sarah and I discuss the importance of having core values. This concept seems pretty well-known in the workplace but having personal core values are just as important. I was having a conversation with a coach friend of mine who helped me become aware that I have not established a set of personal core values. The rea...

Experiencing love, or having love for someone or something, leads us to believe that the experience will be perpetually, as Rocky put it, "all sunshine and rainbows". When we don't acknowledge the duality of love, we tend to be crushed when plans don't work out, when people exit our lives and when dreams get put on hold. "Pain in life is inevitable but suffering is not. Pain is what the world does...

"You are more than you think you are. There are dimensions of your being and a potential for realization and consciousness that are not included in your concept of yourself. Your life is much deeper and broader than you conceive it to be here. What you are living is but a fractional inkling of what is really within you, what gives you life breadth. And depth." -Joseph Campbell We are back!   Took...

We've been conditioned, from a early age, to do things on a "have to" basis. "You have to make you bed or else..." "You have to do your homework or else..." "You have to eat your veggies or else..." We've heard it thousands of times. Now  as adults, whether it's going to the gym or taking out the trash, we do things because we tell ourselves that we "have to", or else... It's become so ingrained,...

Today Sarah and chat about how as human beings, it's easier to focus on the "things" outside of us to define our success or blame when things don't go our way. Aka the HOW and WHAT of the matter. "What is the best diet for my training goals?" "How long does it take to see results?" "How often should I train a week? "What is the best technique for...?" These are very common questions that people as...