Atlanta born and raised Chip Wade didn’t always know exactly what he wanted to do with his life but what he did know is that he loved to be active and work with his hands. Chip began body building at the ripe age of 17, “I always loved to find creative ways to stay in shape while in school and having a busy lifestyle.” A busy lifestyle is what he had! He ran a landscaping business while in high school which eventually paid for his college degree at Georgia Tech where he studied Mechanical Engineering. And landed him his very own show on HGTV. We got to sit down with this HGTV stud (no pun intended) to find out just how cheerleading influenced his life.
Q: What made you decide to go to Georgia Tech?
A: “I was unsure what I wanted to study, it was the best education for the money and it was close; I chose ME (mechanical engineering because I am technical and practical and it provides a broad range of job opportunities.”
Q: How did you get into cheerleading?
A: A friend from high school was on the team and suckered me into coming to practice. I was impressed by all the real athleticism at practice and stunting going on. I decided to walk on to see if I could learn how to do it as well.
Q: What did you like best about cheering?
A: Cheering for me was about friends, fun and a great athletic challenge…Cheerleading allows you to be a representative of something (the school) you talk on behalf of the school as that representative. I am a very social person and love to be around people so it was a good fit. It provides an outlet for competition. I love to stunt most of all. The drive to hit a new stunt never done before pushed me to stunt all the time. It helped motivate me to get in the best shape of my life so that I could excel.
Q: What are some memorable experiences you had cheering a Georgia Tech?
A: Well getting to stunt with girls who have similar athletic level and drive is a unique opportunity in the scheme of athletics. Getting to travel around the country for games is always fun. If you are a part of a college team you get great treatment and are always at the front of events where you get to meet influential people…sometimes famous!
Q: Now we know cheering helped you with your physique, but did it help you romantically?
A: I actually met my wife while cheering! We knew one another for 4 years and competed together. We only got to be partners for one week, because she was too good! We grew our friendship and it led to a very happy marriage. We have a baby boy, Mac, who we are very proud of! Hopefully he will turn out to be a super athlete!
Q: Well what’s next for you?
A: Well I have an Atlanta-based design-build firm, Wade Taylor, LLC, specializing in custom residential and commercial renovation featuring high level design and the newest fabrication techniques. But my favorite place to be in at home with my family.
You can find this energetic craftsman on HGTV’s Designed to Sell as the carpenter on the Atlanta team transforming little spaces to amazing places! For all of these reasons, we love Chip Wade!
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