Meet Chris Ortiz | Educator and Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Ortiz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, how do you think about risk?
“No risk it, no biscuit” is a line I heard NFL Head Coach Bruce Arians once say. It pretty much sums up my approach to life and the reason for much of my success. Most folks play it safe and risk very little in this game of life. As a result they may not get hurt but in the process go to their death bed with a heart full of regret. Not me, I fully intend to maximize my time and live life to its fullest. No matter what happens, at least I know what the result was. Win or lose we will at least see how that chapter in my life ends because at the end of the day that is all it is, a single chapter. The first part of my life was spent living very conservatively taking very few chances and not getting to see what was on the other side of the door. As I grow older though I have come to the realization that we only get one crack at this thing called life. Watching my father take his last breath and pass away from covid really set something in motion. His death was not in vain because a very important lesson was learned that afternoon. Life is temporary, so from this point forward it is all gas and no brakes. From that point on I began doing things that I had always wanted to do but never had the courage to see through. I have written six children’s books since his passing including my most recent one “Flow State.” Started a podcast that is currently sitting at one hundred and seventy four episodes. Most recently I have dipped my toe in the sports recruitment world with “Ultimate Prospect” a business that focuses on making content in hopes of helping young people get seen by collegiate scouts. All these ventures have been made possible because I am willing to take calculated risk. My next goal is to somehow get Brazilian Jiu Jitsu into public education. It is a cause I feel strongly about and in my heart the juice is worth the squeeze. Wish me luck because we are fighting an uphill battle.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
By trade I am a professional educator and athletic coach. I take my job very serious and hope to leave a legacy that far outlives my existence. I do believe what sets me apart from other people in my field is that I hope to create moments for my pupils. Moments which could change or redirect a young persons life for the better. Whether it be through a lesson a student was able to make a real world connection with; or an experience I was able to create for one of our athletes. There are few jobs in this world that I feel truly matter and I am lucky to be in a position to be working in one. Furthermore I have the distinct honor of teaching a course named “Teen Leadership” which actually has real world implications far past their primary schooling days. Important lessons on the value of a good first impression, public speaking, and establishing a value system are just a few of the topics I get to instruct on. If I had it my way EVERY student would take Teen Leadership because our young people seem to be struggling in these areas. As a forty five year old man I can honestly say that I have not used much of the mathematical computations that I learned in school but being a good human being is something that I practice each and every day. I enjoy the coaching aspect of the job just as much if not more. Coaching gives me the opportunity to work with a core group of motivated individuals. That is not always the case in a classroom, but on a court it is a different story. So much more knowledge can be poured into a cup that is a willing receptacle. Yes we learn about our sport of choice but most of the great coaches would say it is our chance to teach life lessons through the vehicle of our sport. That is the place I feel we make the most difference and I cherish every second we get. I have a new mission and that is to get Brazilian Jiu Jitsu introduced into the public school system because there are young people falling through the cracks and I know I can reach them if given the opportunity. It won’t be easy but it is most defiantly a cause worth fighting for. At this point in the game I am in the legacy portion of my career. So get ready to hear me sing it from the rafters, Jiu Jitsu is life changing and our struggling kids in school need it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would bring them by my martial arts academy Gracie Barra The Woodlands/The Woodlands MMA. More people should be dabbling in combat sports in my humble opinion. So many things can be learned about ones self by simply dawning the gi or throwing on a pair of boxing gloves & shin guards. Even more so the sense of community one gets from being on such a good team. Drop in to any class and you will be working along side doctors, lawyers, law enforcement, educators, and oh yeah some badass pro fighters. The workouts are equal parts fun, intense, and intellectually stimulating. I have fallen into some really good dietary and rest habits due to the nature of mixed martial arts. More so I am the calmest, coolest, and kindest I have every been in my life. It is an experience I wish I could share with the world because I know how what the gym has done for me. After an afternoon of world class training I would have to say a trip to sixty vines on Market Street here in The Woodlands would be in order. The food is fresh and delicious with wine that is to die for. The establishment is very easy on the eyes and the wait staff is top notch. There is a reason it is The Woodlands most visited eatery.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My primary source of inspiration is my family. They challenge me to be the best version of myself each and every day. My mother inspires me to work hard and to keep pushing forward. She was a living and breathing example of what a parent is supposed to be. Her struggles as a single mother showed me that anything is possible if you keep pushing forward. For that I am forever grateful. My wife Whitney has given me the gift of accountability. I have fallen short on a number of occasions and she has always been there to help me see what the right course of action is. Often times it is the hard and difficult thing to to do which is why she is the back bone of our relationship. We should all be so lucky to have a Whitney in our lives, lord knows I am. My children Tatum and Luke also serve as a source of inspiration. I know that they are watching my every move and they are most likely to follow what I do more so then what I say. This has led me to live a much better life in all regards. I want them to see their father chase his dreams, work his ass off, and be kind to everyone he meets. Giving my family a proper “Shoutout” and acknowledging their importance in my evolution is beautifully fitting.

Website: https://coachortiz.com

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Image Credits
Christetta Butts