by Chip Baker

My Journey Into Education

I am a fourth-generation educator, and teaching is in my blood. My parents separated when I was four, and we moved to my mother’s small hometown of Hearne, Texas. That town, close to Bryan College Station, became the place where I was raised, surrounded by family, church, and sports. My mother served as a minister of music, which meant that if the church doors were open, we were there. Those early lessons in discipline and community shaped me in ways I will always appreciate.

Sports also became a central part of my life. I played four sports in high school and went on to play college football at West Texas A&M University. After graduation, I started teaching and coaching in Conroe ISD. I worked in junior high schools, then high school, where I coached football and powerlifting. I even had the chance to serve as athletic director and head coach in my hometown for a time. Every step gave me the chance to build relationships and impact young lives.

Now, more than twenty-five years into my career, I serve as a teacher and coach at New Waverly High School in Texas. Alongside that work, I have grown as an author, speaker, and podcaster. These opportunities allow me to share lessons beyond the classroom and to connect with people across the world.

Creating the Success Chronicles

Eight years ago, I launched my YouTube channel and podcast called The Success Chronicles. I had always loved learning, music, and creativity. I also enjoyed meaningful conversations with people. So I decided to bring those passions together in a way that could inspire others. I began interviewing people from all walks of life, sharing their stories as sources of positive inspiration and motivation.

When I started, I had little training in communications or technology. YouTube University and the generosity of friends helped me figure it out. The first videos were rough, but they marked the beginning of an incredible journey. Over time, I learned about lighting, cameras, microphones, and editing. More importantly, I learned about perseverance. Growth comes when we step out, try, make mistakes, and keep improving.

The Success Chronicles has introduced me to amazing people. From coaches and educators to athletes and entertainers, each conversation has taught me something new. The joy of the project comes from connecting with people, learning from them, and passing those lessons on to others.

Writing My Way Forward

About six years ago, I started writing books. To this day, I have released or co-authored twenty-one. Writing was never something I imagined for myself growing up. I did not know anyone in my circle who had written a book, so becoming an author still amazes me. Every new project reminds me that God places opportunities in our path when we remain open and willing to grow.

My first book, Growing Through Your Go Through, spoke to the lessons hidden inside challenges. Another early book, Effective Conversation to Ignite Relationships, led to a four-city book tour. Since then, I have written children’s books, devotional resources, and even a formula chart for life. The Impact of Influence series, now in its eighth volume, has brought together powerful voices to share how mentors, experiences, and life lessons shaped them.

Each book has been an extension of my teaching. The page simply became another classroom where I could serve, encourage, and inspire. The writing process humbled me, because I never thought it was possible, and it pushed me to stay hungry for growth.

Learning Through Relationships

Every opportunity in my life has come through relationships. From the mentors who guided me to the colleagues who collaborated with me, people have been the key to my progress. Relationships opened doors to interviews, speaking engagements, and book projects. They have also grounded me in gratitude, reminding me of the many shoulders I stand on.

I have learned that quality relationships come from consistency. When people know that you are dependable, when they see that you live with integrity, they are more willing to support and connect with you. Those connections lead to new possibilities that keep multiplying over time.

Life has taught me that we can learn from everyone. Titles and followers matter less than the lessons we take from people’s stories. When we listen with humility, every person becomes a teacher. That belief has guided me through my podcast, my writing, and my teaching career.

Embracing the Storms

Recently, a hurricane left my family and community without power for nine days. We also lost cell service for nearly half of that time. Experiences like that remind me that storms come for everyone, no matter who we are or what we have achieved. The storms test us, but they also grow us.

Storms strengthen our roots and prepare us to bear fruit. In music, New Edition once sang, “Storms will come, this we know for sure, but tell me, can you stand the rain?” I believe we must embrace the rain and trust that it nourishes us for future growth. Each storm carries a lesson. If we remain open, we grow through what we go through. Gratitude for those lessons allows us to come out stronger, wiser, and better prepared to serve others.

Keep Growing, Keep Going

If you take anything from my story, let it be this: live with gratitude, keep learning, and continue growing. Challenges are opportunities in disguise, and relationships are the keys that open doors. Strive to give your best in every space, and trust that blessings will follow.