The Interview – Lisa Guadaloupe
(If your child has ever taken karate lessons in Coweta County, it’s a pretty sure bet Lisa Guadaloupe was their instructor, or sensei. She has an incredible passion for teaching kids and always imparts a little wisdom along with those roundhouse kicks.)
Briefly describe yourself and what you do.
My journey through the martial arts started in 1988 when my parents encouraged me so I could take care of myself and become a strong, independent young lady. Personally, I think it was because of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
I earned my Black Belt in 1992 and began teaching in Peachtree City in 1995. I graduated from McIntosh and went on to study Kinesiology and Health education at GSU. In May of 2003, I was given the opportunity to open and manage a studio in Newnan.
Teaching has allowed me to meet so many incredible people and help shape their lives. Every year, parents come to me to express how much difference this training has made in their child’s life. Every day I feel fortunate to have been a part of that!
Over the years, I have had many great/fun experiences thanks to the relationships I have built through Championship Martial Arts.
Best piece of business advice you’ve received.
No one is going to hand you anything. You must work hard to earn your place and reach your goals. Put your best into all your efforts; from cleaning a bathroom to managing hundreds of people, give your all.
If I had it to do over …
It is hard for me to say I would do anything over. I believe every accomplishment and mistake has led me to where I am today. I feel so grateful and blessed to have the family and career I have right now. I’m not sure it would have happened the same if changes were made. You learn, you grow, and you continue to move forward, trying to do better than you have done before.
You are going on an extended solo trip. What three albums and three books would you take?
I enjoy a variety of music. So I will list my favorite Pandora stations because I would take an album of compilation songs from these stations. Classic Rock, Van Morrison, and Jack Johnson.
I would take The One Minute Manager to stay focused on my goals. The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe for entertainment. The biggest puzzle book I could find to keep my mind sharp.
Tell us one thing about yourself that few people know.
I had a small segment on the MTV show MADE. I was to help instill confidence in a young man trying to play basketball. His couch was a WNBA player. I got her to break a board as well!
You are hosting a dinner party for six. What five people, living or dead, would you invite and why?
Jesus, Eleanor Roosevelt, Walt Disney and Bruce Lee.
All these people are very different and from different times, but they share commonalities. They were admired by many, but not by all. There are critics and skeptics. People opposed to their ground breaking dreams and ideas. Although people doubted their purpose, they followed through with their goals (even when they were not the most popular, doubted, or even killed). They evoked change not just through words, but action. That trait is one to be admired. The more you can learn from people like the that, the better equipped you will be to give back to others.
Finally, J. Guadalupe – there is nothing like sharing amazing experiences with someone you love!
Name an as yet unfulfilled dream
Three-part answer:
- Become a business owner
- Give someone the same opportunities I have had
- Be able to travel with my family without having to worry about this business. I could do that because a like minded, motivated, and reliable person is taking advantage of an opportunity they have worked hard enough to earn to help me.
If you weren’t doing what you are, you would be …
I’m not exactly sure what I would be teaching, but I would still be working with people in some way with the hope of providing a safe, positive, platform of education. I truly believe my purpose is to work with people in any capacity possible.
Your go-to food.
Steak (any kind)!
Dogs or cats?
Dogs. Unconditional love.
Your favorite quote and why?
I believe one of my favorite quotes pretty much sums it up for me:
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.” Lombardi
What advice would you give your younger self just starting out on their own
In Life – Try different types of food. You miss out on many things being too scared to try something new.
In Career – Build a team of like minded individuals. No one can do it alone, but a strong team with similar goals will be more successful in work and life!
In Family – Call your parents more. They sacrificed more than you know so that you could have all these opportunities.
