Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Pettepit.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started martial arts at age 7 and immediately was hooked. As a kid, when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answer was always “martial arts instructor.” I started helping out in classes when I was 10 and by age 14, I had earned my black belt and became an assistant instructor at the school. Around this time I also began competing in local sport karate tournaments. I specialized in weapons performance competition but also did well in forms (kata) and sparring competition.
At age 16, I was a state and national champion and had been picked up on Team Straight Up which was and still is one of the top sport karate teams in the World. The team’s coach, Joe Greenhalgh, really helped me toughen up and get ready for the hard hits life can give you. Looking back, this period of my life really helped shape who I am today. I was traveling the country competing in some of the biggest martial arts tournaments in the world. I was surrounded by hard-working people of all different backgrounds and cultures.
But regardless of differences, everyone’s goal was the same: to attempt to excel at everything and be mediocre at nothing. After graduating high school, I continued my education at Framingham State University and at the same time took over as General Manager and Chief Instructor of Seishin. Over the years, that position has evolved into the Chief Operating Officer of our company. In 2013, I started my own team “Team Seishin.” What started out as a fun project has grown into one of the best teams in New England.
Most recently, my team was awarded a “Team Of The Year” award for the state of Massachusetts (KRANE Ratings) and is transitioning into a national/world team of its own.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Yes and no. Since martial arts has always been part of my life, I’ve always had a good routine with it. Naturally, the intense training I did to obtain my black belt and compete on the world tour was challenging to say the least. But being surrounded by encouraging team members and mentors helped me through the ups and downs of those years. But even then, I was so ingrained in my routine, that it all just seemed normal.
Perhaps the hardest struggle for me was being able to find a good work/life balance. As any martial artist will tell you, this job is your life. Even when you are not at the school, you are constantly working or thinking. Thinking about new training ideas, new marketing plans. Or even just dealing with the business side: data entry, emails, phone calls. I’ve always enjoyed my work but struggling to find that balance was tough. I’ve always had a hard time shutting my brain down to relax. When I’m on something, its always 100 mph. At times, this would cause a decent about of anxiety on my end.
Luckily, I’ve set up enough systems to help regulate it all and things are in good balance nowadays. I’m joined by an amazing support staff that works incredibly hard to help us create the best learning environment for our students. From our lead instructors to student leaders/helpers, they all work so hard and care so deeply about what we do. I also have the support of my wonderful wife Alyssa who keeps me grounded when my brain is going in a million directions at once. I wouldn’t be where I am without her or the rest of my family as well: my dedicated parents who sacrificed so much to get me where I am today, and my entire family of cousins, friends, parent/brother/sister in laws, all supporting me in living my dream.
Please tell us about Seishin Martial Arts/Sport Karate Academy.
Seishin was founded by my instructor and mentor, Eric Hung, in 2000 and its been an honor to run it in his footsteps. Eric was the biggest martial arts and business influence in my life and he now runs our Natick location.
The goal behind Seishin is to create well-rounded students in the martial arts. There are so many different styles and approaches to the martial arts and our goal is to allow students to be proficient at everything, and then allow them to specialize in what they enjoy most. Students at Seishin learn a traditional art called Kenpo, which is based in self-defense. We supplement that with sport karate, a competition art with elements of gymnastics and performance fused in.
Finally, we also have students dabble in other components of the arts e.g. grappling, jiu-jitsu. The theory is that by the time a student has obtained a black belt, they are able to excel in all facets of the sport. Some students really enjoy the culture and history of the traditional side. Others become competitors and embrace the sport karate. Other focus primarily on self-defense. But everyone has the solid foundation on which to build upon.
Our niche is definitely the sport karate and it’s probably what we are most known for. Our competition team has become an identifying piece of our school and our live performances have become popular in town and surrounding areas. Because we incorporate gymnastics and high flying stunts, our live shows can be very entertaining for audiences.
We try really hard to support our local community and to teach our students about giving back. We’ve been honored to support and perform for a number of charities including the Ryan Harvey Foundation, the Medway Police Toy Drive, and “Dodging for School” a dodgeball tournament that raises money for local schools. Another thing that has earned us a decent reputation is our community is our anti-bullying smart self-defense system.
In today’s world, bullying is clearly the hot topic. However, bullying has always existed, it’s just worse today with the advent of social media. Our goal is not only to encourage kids not to be bullies but also for them to know what to do if in a bullying situation. Students are taught a step by step process of what to do, and if attacked physically, students are taught effective techniques that neutralize situations as opposed to escalating them.
I think what also makes us unique is our attentive focus to child development. Each program is designed for each age group and everything has a purpose. It’s not just the physical martial arts, its how we speak, how the instructors stand. Everything is based towards how the child’s brain works at a particular age, and how we can use that to foster a productive learning environment. Honestly, my proudest aspect of what we do has nothing to do with the physical side of the sport. Seeing our students grow into amazing young professionals is beyond rewarding.
It’s awesome to see them grow from the little white belts with big dreams, into dedicated, caring, and respectful members of society. At the end of the day, that’s why all youth sport should exist. Yes, students should focus on being the best they can be, and trying to win the championship. But when its all said and done, their experience should leave them with incredible memories they can cherish forever, and a slew of skills that will help them in their adult lives. A good coach should always put that first.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
There are a couple. In the martial arts, it has to be the experience of growing up in the dojo. I remember just being at the school all day long, even if I wasn’t training or teaching that day. I would go just to hang out with my friends. It truly was a home away from home and that is something I try to replicate for my students today.
Outside of martial arts, I loved the summers I spent with my extended family. We used to vacation in Maine together and there was so much freedom. Where we stayed, everything was right there, the beach, the arcade, the ice cream shops. We would all just hang outside all day, roam around, and have a mindless summer with one another.
Structure is good for kids, but so is the ability to just be a kid. We really try to embrace that at Seishin too.
Contact Info:
- Address: 74 Main St. Medway, MA. 02053
- Website: www.seishinsportkarate.com
- Phone: (508) 533-1501
- Email: info@seishinsportkarate.com
- Instagram: @seishinma
- Facebook: @seishinmartialarts
- Twitter: @seishinma
Image Credit:
Dragonflye Creatives, sportmartialarts.com
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