Last week, we talked about how passion projects can supercharge careers and energize team performance. When people have hobbies or interests that inspire them outside of work, it sparks creativity and discipline that often flows right into their professional lives.
This week, we’re excited to spotlight one of our own team members, Shane Blue, whose lifelong passion for martial arts ties directly into his incredible leadership here at Vintage IT Services.
Shane sits on our leadership team and manages our vCIO/Alignment Analyst team. This team is the backbone of proactive IT service, meeting with clients monthly to conduct 170+ point best-practice IT audits. They catch problems before they happen, assist with budget planning, ensure compliance, and help clients plan for growth and future projects. It’s a role that requires discipline, precision, and the ability to see the big picture—qualities Shane has been honing since 1992 when he first started training in Traditional Goju-Ryu Karate-Do under Sensei Lee Gray.
Shane didn’t just dabble in karate—he dominated. By 1997, he earned the title of AAU Texas State Traditional Karate Champion. Over the years, he operated his own dojo, taught defensive tactics to law enforcement agencies, and ran martial arts and self-defense classes at Amarillo College, including a thriving children’s and youth program. He achieved the rank of Shi Dan (4th Degree Black Belt), which is no small feat, and continues to train several hours each week.
While Shane isn’t actively teaching now, he credits his martial arts training as a core factor in developing his work ethic and self-discipline—both of which shine in his role at Vintage IT. Just like karate requires precision, adaptability, and a proactive approach to challenges, Shane applies the same mindset to leading his team and ensuring our clients’ IT environments are secure and future ready.
Shane’s story is a perfect example of how pursuing a passion outside of work can make you a stronger, more dynamic professional. Whether he’s mastering a kata or a complex IT environment, Shane brings the same level of dedication and excellence—and we’re lucky to have him leading the charge.
Encourage your team (and yourself) to pursue passion projects—it might just be the secret sauce to creativity and performance, both in and out of the workplace.