This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 181st installment visiting with David Church, owner of Championship Martial Arts which uses the platform of martial arts to create an environment for students, families, and employees to improve their lives and reach their full potential.
Tell me more about Championship Martial Arts. We use the martial arts to teach life skills such as confidence, discipline, and focus to ages 3 and up. Our professional instructors help students achieve these skills through a combination of high expectations and firm, caring accountability.
How did you get started? I began martial arts training as a freshman in high school. I had played every sport available as a younger child, but fell in love with martial arts immediately. Within 6 months of training I knew that I wanted to teach martial arts professionally and share these life-changing skills with as many people as possible.
What is your background? After earning the rank of black belt I spent 3 years as a volunteer assistant instructor at my school in Johnson City. I moved to Knoxville to attend the University of Tennessee and studied Sports Management before accepting a full-time instructor position in West-Knoxville. I served as the chief instructor of a successful school for 7 years before opening Championship Martial Arts in 2007.
Who are your mentors? I have had so many people who have been instrumental in my development as a business owner. My wife has by far been my biggest supporter. We are high-school sweethearts who have literally grown up together. She is my biggest supporter and sounding board. My instructor James Rich took me under his wing and taught me so much about martial arts, teaching and running classes, and the martial arts business. Mr. Rich additionally invested a ton of time in my development as a man and person. Finally, there is no doubt that my business consultants Kurt Klingenmeyer and Mike Metzger have changed my success level. Their guidance has helped me create systems that have taken our school from a fantastic martial arts training facility to a successful business.
Describe your customers. Championship Martial Arts mainly serves families who are interested in their children learning the life-skills necessary to be successful, responsible adults. Our member families are typically very involved in both their children’s education and after-school activities.
What do you enjoy most about your business? I LOVE being able to provide a life-change for people. Seeing a student come out of a shell and develop unshakeable confidence, or helping someone overcome a challenge or struggle, or giving a “bad” kid an opportunity to become a “good” kid is nothing less than food for my soul. Now being able to provide that same opportunity for my team and to be able to give them a livelihood motivates me more than anything.