An Inspired Chat with Channing Chasten of Chandler

Channing Chasten shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Channing, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are all about getting my mind and body right. I wake up, make my bed, say a quick prayer, and go through my daily affirmations. On the way to the gym, I throw on a Jay Shetty podcast to get some inspiration in. Then I get after it with a solid workout to kick off the day feeling good and locked in.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! My name is Channing Chasten — I’m a former professional soccer player, author, and the founder of The 1% Kid Foundation. I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and went on to play Division I soccer at The Ohio State University before signing professionally with Phoenix Rising. My journey hasn’t always been easy, but it taught me the power of mindset, consistency, and believing in yourself.

That’s what inspired me to write my book, The 1% Kid, and start my nonprofit. Through my foundation, I work with youth across the country to help them develop strong mindsets, set goals, and build confidence — whether on the field, in the classroom, or in life. Everything I do is rooted in my mission to inspire the next generation to chase their dreams with purpose and resilience.

Right now, I’m focused on growing the reach and impact of our work. I’m building what I call the 1% School System — a mindset-driven approach to education that empowers students to believe in themselves and grow through challenges. I’m also actively seeking funding to scale our programming, reach more communities, and develop a full curriculum that can be replicated nationwide. My goal is to create long-lasting change by combining literacy, life skills, mentorship, and sports into one transformative experience.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My grandad taught me the most about work — especially hard work. On his gravestone, it reads: “Hard work is the key to success.” He truly embodied that quote every single day. No matter how he felt, he always showed up, did what needed to be done, and made sure he provided for his family. That mindset stuck with me. It’s how I approach life and my goals — no matter what’s going on or how I’m feeling, I believe you can always find a way to get things done and keep moving forward. You can always prevail.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were definitely moments where I almost gave up — times when it felt easier to walk away than to keep going. One moment that really stands out was back in 8th or 9th grade. I had fallen out of love with soccer and started to think it just wasn’t for me anymore. Right around that time, I got injured — and it was serious enough to keep me out for months. It was the longest I had ever gone without playing.

But something happened during that time away. I realized just how much the game meant to me. Sitting on the sidelines reminded me why I started in the first place. Because I didn’t quit, I came back stronger — and that led me to make varsity as a freshman, play at Ohio State, and even go on to play professionally.

Sometimes it takes being on the verge of giving up to really remember your “why.”

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think if you asked my close friends to describe me, they’d probably say that family and faith matter a lot to me. They’d say I care about having a good time, spreading kindness, giving back, and keeping a positive attitude. I try to inspire others to chase their goals and be the best version of themselves. And of course, they’d definitely say that soccer means a lot to me — it’s been a huge part of my life and my journey.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I had 10 years left, I’d completely let go of caring what others think. I’m already working hard on this now, but I’d double down. Life is too short to live for anyone else’s expectations — it’s all about creating and living the life that feels true to you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theonepercentkid.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/channingchasten/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/channing-chasten-7a09151b8/
• Youtube: The 1% Kid