I am beyond excited for you to hear this episode of The Amberly Lago Show because I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with my good friend Chip Baker! Chip is a powerhouse, a fourth-generation educator, former coach, and an incredible author who has written 22 books. His wisdom, energy, and heart for service shine through in everything he does, and I know this conversation will leave you feeling inspired and ready to take action!

Here are three powerful takeaways from our conversation that you don’t want to miss:

Life Moves at the Speed of Our Relationships
Chip shared a game-changing insight from one of his former pastors, “Life moves at the speed of our relationships.” This hit me hard because it’s so true. The people we surround ourselves with can either propel us forward or hold us back. Are you investing in relationships that lift you up Are you showing up as the kind of person who encourages and supports others This episode will make you take a hard look at your circle and remind you just how important it is to nurture meaningful connections.

Embrace Discomfort for Maximum Growth
You have probably heard the saying “growth happens outside of your comfort zone” but Chip took it a step further. He said “on the other side of your uncomfort is your maximum growth.” Let that sink in. If you want to level up in life you have to be willing to step into the unknown, face challenges head-on, and push yourself beyond what feels easy. Whether it is trying something new, taking a risk, or simply showing up differently, this episode will inspire you to lean into that discomfort and go after the growth waiting on the other side.

Your Why Fuels Your Journey
Chip is a man on a mission and his “why” is what keeps him going. He shared how the love and support he has received throughout his life fuel his drive to give back and make an impact. This is such an important reminder that when you have a strong purpose behind what you do, it gives you the energy and motivation to keep pushing forward even when times get tough. If you have been feeling stuck or unmotivated, this episode will help you reconnect with your why and reignite your passion.

This conversation with Chip Baker is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and real talk that will push you to grow in ways you never imagined. Tune in now and let’s keep striving to be the best versions of ourselves together!

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Transcript:

Amberly Lago:
Welcome to the Amberly Lago Show, Stories of True Grit and Grace. All right, y’all. I’m here with my good friend, Chip Baker, who came all the way out this way. We’re hanging out in my home here in Heath, Texas. So I’m glad you tuned in. I want you to know this man. He’s got a heart of gold. I’ve known him for a few years. And we’re just going to dig in and ask a few questions. So Chip, thank you so much.

Chip Baker: Yeah, thank you.

Amberly Lago: Tell me what you are up to.

Chip Baker: Lots, Amberly.

Amberly Lago: We haven’t caught up in a while. We’ve seen each other at John’s event, John Gordon’s event, but I wanna catch up with you and see what you are up to.

Chip Baker: Yeah, so lots. First off, I tell people I’m two E words. I’m excited and I’m exhausted.

Amberly Lago: I feel ya.

Chip Baker: Because I have a lot of great things going on, but I wouldn’t have it any other way, right? So, I am Chip Baker, fourth-generation educator, teacher, former coach. I’m in my 26th year of education. I coached for 20 of those years, was the head coach, athletic director. Blessed and fortunate to do some great things on that end. About eight years ago, started my YouTube channel and podcast, The Success Chronicles. And what I do is I just interview people from all walks of life and share their stories for positive inspiration and motivation. Started writing books about six years ago and that journey has really been neat for me. Where I’m from, I’m from a small hometown in Texas raised by a single parent mom and you know where I’m from I didn’t grow up around people that wrote books.

Amberly Lago: I feel you on that. When I wrote my book, people were like, what? You’re the fitness girl. You need to stick to the fitness. Is that what you kind of experienced when you told people you wanted to write a book? Or you were going to write a book?

Chip Baker: I didn’t even hear all the other stuff or what other people thought because I was just so surprised myself. So I was just, you know, deeply involved in that and just enjoying the moments. But it’s been great. And so here we are, six years later, just published my 22nd book. Right, right? Your 22nd book? It’s been a part of a published, 22 books. And it’s been- I didn’t know it was that many.

Amberly Lago: Yeah, yeah. You’re like right on the tail, like you’re catching up to John Gordon.

Chip Baker: I have a story about that I’m going to share with you later sometime. Just sometime with the comparison thing, how we look at, but man, having one book is great.

Amberly Lago: One book is hard, and that’s why it took me five years to write my second, well, it’s my third. I had a compilation book, which I don’t really count. I’ve got two of those where I’m in chapters of books. So I’m saying the books that I’ve actually written parts of too, but my first book, I think I had PTSD and I waited this many years to do my next book. It’s a lot. How did you do that many books?

Chip Baker: It is a lot. And so a few of those have the Impact of Influence book series and it’s a compilation and we’ve done ten actually. Amy and Julie were in volume three of that. And so I want to send out a shout out to Amy P. Kelly, Julie Nee, a part of the John Gordon team. Great, great ladies.

Amberly Lago: And they’re a part of the Unstoppable Life Mastermind Team.

Chip Baker: That’s that plug. That’s the plug. That’s the plug right there. But it’s been awesome. Like it’s really, truly far surpassed anything that I ever thought it would be. And you know, when we talked earlier, we talked about quality relationships. You know, when I heard this from one of my former pastors, so I’m going to share this, he said that life moves at the speed of our relationships.

Amberly Lago: Mm, that’s good.

Chip Baker: Oh, man, when I heard it, it gave me chills.

Amberly Lago: That’s really good.

Chip Baker: It’s so true. I mean, you know, those people that are doing amazing things have great relationships.

Amberly Lago: Oh, yeah.

Chip Baker: It changes everything. And those people that are struggling a little bit need better relationships. So that’s just kind of where I am now, just striving to learn and grow each day and be the best version of myself so that I can give the best version of myself to others.

Amberly Lago: What would you suggest for somebody to do who’s like, well, yeah, I know my circle needs to be edited or audited. I need better relationships. How do they go about making better decisions, better relationships?

Chip Baker: Really, it just starts with one decision, one step at a time. You know, we talked earlier, we’re talking, you’re talking about, you know, like your gut, trust your gut. You know, there are signs, you know, you can see signs of things and you have to, oh, that’s good, you have to look within to win.

Amberly Lago: Oh, that’s good.

Chip Baker: And what I mean by that is, you have to look within and develop those core common principles and values that you have. And when you do that, just taking one step each day to be the best version of yourself within that. And as you’re doing that organically, what happens is organically, you eliminate the distractions. Organically, you put yourself around great people to help you stay on that path that you want to be on. Organically, you allow yourself to say, know to some things because it allows you to say yes to the things that are important to you. And so it just starts with, you know, understanding what your core common principles, what your values are.

Amberly Lago: What are your values?

Chip Baker: Oh, that’s that’s a good one right there. Get ready. All right. So. So I believe, no, it’s important for me to just work hard, do right, treat people right, put yourself around good people. And so it don’t matter, rain, sun, snow, whatever, I’m gonna do that.

Amberly Lago: Right?

Chip Baker: Like regardless, I’m gonna do those things every moment of every day. And so if I’m in environments where that doesn’t align with me, then I’m gonna put myself in a different environment. So I think that that helps.

Amberly Lago: Yeah, you know, ever since I’ve known you, there’s just been a connection. Like, I guess the way I could describe it is it just feels like home. It feels safe. It feels like Yeah, we’re friends. We’re on the same team. Do you know what I mean? Does that make sense?

Chip Baker: I felt that too. I think I’ll go deeper with you on that too. I think where I’m from, they would always say, man, he good people. For you, I look at you like you’re good people. That’s how I look at you. I think it’s certain mindsets, but more so heartset. When you do things from just helping people out type of place. When you do things to give service and not looking to take advantage of anyone, just seeing how I can add value to any situation. I think that’s what I get from you, and so I think that that’s why there is that, because I strive to do that as well in my life.

Amberly Lago: I think it’s so important. Where has your, with all your books, where has that book journey taken you, and what’s the best thing that’s come from writing all these books?

Chip Baker: Well, the book journey has gotten me here, like literally here on this platform interviewing with you. Like literally, like the whole, you know, connecting with some of the people that’s got me to hear that you are connected with, which allowed us to connect, you know, quality relationships. Life moves at the speed of our relationships. And then the second piece of that, is, I think it’s taught me so many things. I believe that there’s blessings in every lesson, right? I believe that it shows you that big things are possible. It allows you, it has allowed me to be humble and hungry. And what I mean by that is, I told you my background, where I came from, so it allows me to continue to remain humble, because I know what it’s been. But then also, it allows me to be hungry, right? And it’s different. Yeah, I like that. Not H-U-N-G-R-Y. It was like with four O’s. Hungry.

Amberly Lago: I like that.

Chip Baker: So it allows me to be hungry to strive to work to do bigger and better things because I’ve shown myself that it’s possible to do those things.

Amberly Lago: Well how does somebody stay hungry? I think… Like how do you tap into that? Are there ever times where you’re just like… Man, the exhaustion’s kicking my butt. I’m starting to feel burnout. How do you keep that fire burning?

Chip Baker: Prime example is us being here today. And you don’t know this, but I’ve had a long week, work, speak in the evenings. I do a speaker series at the community college where I’m at. So doing that, involved in lots, son’s birthday, you know, traveled, drove a while to get here. You know, interviewed, did a, met, connected with someone earlier today, interviewing, meeting with you today, and then driving home and doing a book signing tomorrow, right, in the morning. So behind all of that is my why. That’s powerful. Why do you do what you do? And the reason I do what I do is because I’m a product of a whole lot of people loving me. I know that I’m not here solely alone, like no significant success is achieved alone. And I know that, and I know what it feels like to have people to pour into you, give, help you, mentor you, guide you, say, hey, you know, man, when I went this way, I went right, and it was bad for me, hey, you don’t do that, you go left. So I’ve had people in my life to do that, and so now I’m just striving to give my why, which is why I do what I do, I’m just striving to give that because I know what it feels like to receive that.

Amberly Lago: Yeah. You know what? You and I are so much alike. I remember when I first started on social media, I had like 12 followers and I would get excited if one person liked my post. I was like, Go, somebody saw it and they actually liked it. And they’re a horrible post, by the way. I didn’t know what I was doing, trying to figure it out. And when I had written my first book, they said, the publisher was like, well, we don’t market this. If you want it out there, you’re going to have to market it yourself. And I was like, well, I guess I’m going to have to figure out social media. And I got on social media. And as my social media started to grow, my husband was like, honey, you can’t keep commenting back to these people and commenting on their posts. And I was like, I’m going to do the best I can to do that because I know how it feels when I felt so like nobody knew who I was and they still don’t. But maybe you do.

Chip Baker: I know their life.

Amberly Lago: You know? But when somebody would, you know, comment on my post or comment back to me on their post.

Chip Baker: They don’t have to do that.

Amberly Lago: they don’t have to do that. And I know how that feels. And so I do my best to because I know how that feels. And so that’s why I do it, you know. So I love that you’re that way, too. So you have a book signing tomorrow?

Chip Baker: Yes.

Amberly Lago: And where’s that going to be?

Chip Baker: Well, it’s going to be in Houston at Papacito’s.

Amberly Lago: Oh, I love Papacito’s. Yeah, that’s the spot.

Chip Baker: So in the Woodlands area, we’re doing that. And so I’m partnering with my guys. You know, you’re all about family and team and helping everybody grow. So I’m doing it with three of my other co-authors that have been in the Impact of Influence series, just great guys, Charles Woods, Darius Bradley Sr., and Chris Holmes, and so since day one. Oh, I saw you just posted something about, yeah, you just posted it. Yeah, like on the way over here.

Amberly Lago: Yeah, I saw, I was like, oh, what is this? Yeah, haven’t even had a chance to comment on it yet because you were at the door.

Chip Baker: Right, I was posting, I was walking up to the door, I was posting. I just, you know, those guys have been with me, you know, rocking with me, supporting me since day one. They’ve been in several volumes of the Impact of Influence, and so now they all have books. You know, a couple of them have multiple books, and so we’re doing a combined book signing.

Amberly Lago: That’s awesome. It’s more fun when you get to do it with others, isn’t it?

Chip Baker: For sure, for sure.

Amberly Lago: Well, how does somebody get to do a book with you?

Chip Baker: reach out. How do they reach out to you? My social media is at chipbakertsc. All of my social media is there except for X and it’s chipbaker19. I’m on all platforms, whatever the platform of your liking is. I’m there. I don’t want it to be any excuse for you not to get this positive inspiration and motivation.

Amberly Lago: Yeah, so they can find your books there. They can maybe reach out to you and say, Hey, Chip, I want to do a book. How do I do it now? Do you coach people how to do the book?

Chip Baker: So the cool thing is, again, going back to the relationships, you know, if there’s something that I can’t help you with, I can find someone that will help you.

Amberly Lago: Yeah.

Chip Baker: And that’s kind of how I operate. I can only share my experiences. For me, it’s not authentic to say, hey, well, try this. And I haven’t done that. I’m not going to do that to anyone. But I’m blessed to have some great people in my life that are doing some really neat things. And so if I can’t figure it out, or if I don’t know it or have experienced it, I definitely know someone that can help you get what you want to get.

Amberly Lago: Yeah, you are highly connected. How important do you think it is to get in the right rooms, to go to conferences, to go to those things? Oh, man.

Chip Baker: Man. Getting in the right room is so important.

Amberly Lago: It’s life-changing.

Chip Baker: So two things. First off, it’s life-changing to change lives. And what I mean by that is when you strive to just take a step to serve and help others, what happens is you’re striving to help others, but what happens on that journey, you figure out some things and your life is changed too, right? And then the second thing is your ROI determines your ROI. Ooh, hold on, let me give you that one.

Amberly Lago: I know, I was like, what? Tell me this. Explain this a little bit.

Chip Baker: Let me give you that one again. Your ROI determines your ROI. So we know return on investment, right? But what I believe is that your radar of influence determines your return on your investment. And inversely, your return on your investment determines your radar of influence.

Amberly Lago: If I had a mic, I would do a mic drop right now.

Chip Baker: Drop it on them. Drop it on them. And the reason I say that is because you asked about the rooms, right? So when I look at the journey of my life, was raised in a small town with a single parent mother. Father was in my life but from afar. Had an opportunity to go play college ball, nine hour drive away from where I was from. So what I knew first is my intimate circle in my hometown and how it was, great people that teach me a lot. But if I didn’t step out and get into that other radar, Right? Radar influence. If I didn’t step out into that, then now I go to college and I meet some amazing people, great coaches, great teammates that are like brothers. We still talk and text every day, you know, now. So now, That’s another radar. And because I took that step, I got better.

Amberly Lago: Right?

Chip Baker: Then I graduated from college and I went into a career of education. I stepped out, moved away from there to a different place where I knew no one. Right? And so now it’s another radar. of influence, right? And so it’s continued to grow like that, being in the podcasting space, being in the book space. And so as I’ve grown, because I’ve invested in that and stretched myself, gotten comfortable with being uncomfortable. That’s important. Right? Because I’ve done that, man, my return on my investment has been amazing.

Amberly Lago: Well, what would you say to somebody who is scared to be uncomfortable? They’re not ready. They’re, they’re comfy. They want to sit on the couch and watch Netflix and they are not ready to get out of, you know, in a different radar. How, what, how would you encourage somebody to step out of their comfort zone?

Chip Baker: I think first, I would say, because it’s uncomfortable, right? Like it’s different, right? But I believe that on the other side of that uncomfort is your maximum growth. Let me give them that one again. On the other side of your uncomfort is your maximum growth. And so we just have to stretch ourselves, push ourselves and go get it. You might have heard that before.

Amberly Lago: Oh, well, I say get her done.

Chip Baker: Yeah.

Amberly Lago: Get her done. Get her done. Yeah. And, you know, I think it’s important sometimes we just need somebody, for me anyway, I needed somebody to believe in me before I could believe in myself, because even when I wrote my book, I was scared to death. My first book, and I remember I went and took a class by Jack Grapes. He was supposedly, and he is an incredible teacher, but he was teaching in L.A. And I couldn’t make the, like, beginner class because of work and kids’ stuff. So he said, well, you can come to the advanced class on Wednesdays. And I went and took the class and I was scared to death. Talk about being uncomfortable. But like you said earlier, I remembered my why. And I was like, you know what? All of this could not have happened to me for no reason. If I can inspire one person and give one person hope, then I’m going to do it. So I stepped into a class with there were published authors, screenplay writers, published poets, and then there was me. And he changed my life because we had an assignment and we had to read it in front of class. And after I read, he said, Amberly, you will write a book. And the belief that he poured in me, because I was just like, and I was crying, I was like, Really? But it helped me. All I needed was that little bit of belief, that little bit of encouragement, and sometimes that’s all we need. And I feel like that’s what you do for other people, is you are such… I strive to do that, for sure. You’re an encourager. Whether it’s through what you say or through your books or your podcast, it’s just amazing. Thank you so much. What’s next? You’ve got your book, but what’s next for 2025? What’s the big goal?

Chip Baker: Well, for me, just having continued growth, continuing to find ways to serve, continuing to find ways to help others. But doing that by striving to be the best version of myself, again, so I can give the best version of myself to others. And so there’s lots. I have some books coming up, some books that are intentionally written to do professional developments from those and speak from. So I’m really excited about that journey, really going to target business leaders, coaches, educational leaders as well, just to help them be better.

Amberly Lago: Well, I mean, I could talk to you all day. Well, I just could hang out with you all day. I’m going to have to have you back on when you have your other new books, books, when you’re on number 40. But, oh my goodness, that’s amazing. Have so much fun at your book signing. Tell everybody one more time where they can find you and your books.

Chip Baker: Yeah, so all of my social media is at chipbakertsc, except for X, and X is at chipbaker19. So thank you again for having me. I really appreciate it.

Amberly Lago: Oh, thank you. And I’m still getting used to X. Like I’m still, I’m hardly ever on X. Like out of all the interviews, this is probably the second time I actually said X in 19 years. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Chip Baker: So I’m getting better.

Amberly Lago: Yeah, I’m trying to learn.

Chip Baker: I’m trying to get up to speed.

Amberly Lago: Anyway, thank you so much for tuning in to the Amberly Lago Show. And take a screenshot and share it on your Instagram and tag us when I see that. I share it, too. It makes me so happy. And don’t forget to subscribe to the show so you don’t miss next week. I’ll see you next week, and thank you again for tuning in.