Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg Thompson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I didn’t plan on starting a business. I just wanted to teach and coach.
Right out of college, I was in the classroom during the day and in the gym by afternoon—grading essays, drawing up plays, and trying to help teenagers figure themselves out. I loved it. Still do. There’s nothing like watching a kid finally “get it,” whether it’s a line from Macbeth or a perfect jump shot.
But after years of teaching and coaching, I started noticing something. The students who struggled weren’t struggling because they weren’t smart. They were struggling because nobody had ever shown them how to manage life. They didn’t know how to plan, organize, follow through, or recover when things got off track.
That hit me hard. Because those are the same lessons I was trying to teach on the basketball court—discipline, focus, consistency. So I started bringing that mindset into my teaching. I built systems, routines, checklists. I started coaching students on their habits just as much as their homework. And the change was incredible.
Fast-forward a couple of decades, and that’s really what led me to start Thompson Academic Coaching. It’s the same mission I’ve had all along: helping students build the habits and confidence to succeed—not just in school, but in life.
Now I get to spend my days meeting with students one-on-one, helping them get organized, stay consistent, and actually feel in control again. It’s the best work I’ve ever done.
It’s still coaching—just with a different kind of scoreboard.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not even close. And honestly, I’m glad it hasn’t been.
Teaching and coaching for 25 years will hand you plenty of humbling moments. I’ve had seasons where I felt like I was connecting with every kid in the room… and seasons where I wasn’t sure if anyone was hearing a word I said. Starting Thompson Academic Coaching brought its own kind of challenge—suddenly I wasn’t just a teacher or coach anymore. I was a business owner, marketer, web designer, and accountant all rolled into one.
The hardest part wasn’t building the business—it was building the trust. Parents are protective of their kids (as they should be), and students are protective of their pride. Convincing both that I’m not another tutor, but a coach who’s in their corner for the long haul, takes time. It takes results.
There were plenty of moments of doubt—wondering if anyone even needed what I was building. But every time a student turns a corner, every time a parent sends a note saying, “We finally see our kid confident again,” that’s the reminder I need.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Thompson Academic Coaching?
Thompson Academic Coaching is built on a simple idea: most students don’t need more homework help — they need help managing life.
I work one-on-one with middle school, high school, and college students who struggle with things like focus, organization, time management, and follow-through. The goal isn’t just better grades — it’s building the executive-function skills that lead to independence and confidence.
Each student goes through a structured 24-session coaching program, meeting weekly for 50 minutes. We talk about planning, breaking down assignments, prioritizing, staying accountable, and building habits that actually last. It’s part mentorship, part coaching, part life skills training.
What sets me apart is that I’ve lived both sides of it — decades as a teacher and coach. I know how schools work, I know what teachers expect, and I know what it takes for a student to turn things around. It’s not about lectures or punishment. It’s about giving them a system that works for them and helping them learn how to show up for themselves.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the clarity behind what we stand for: discipline, consistency, and direction — the “True North” theme that runs through everything from the logo to the coaching philosophy. It’s about helping students find their compass, not just survive the semester.
If readers take away one thing, it’s this: academic success isn’t about shortcuts — it’s about consistency. That’s what I teach, that’s what I model, and that’s what changes lives.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people who know me as “Coach T” think I’ve got it all mapped out—that I’m the organized, structured guy who lives by calendars and checklists. The truth? I learned all of that the hard way.
Early in my teaching career, I was terrible at time management. I’d stay up late grading, forget appointments, and basically run on caffeine. Over time, I realized I was preaching discipline but not always practicing it. That’s when I started building the systems I use now—not just to teach students, but to keep myself grounded.
Another surprise: I’ve always been a creative at heart. I love design, storytelling, music, and finding new ways to connect with people. A lot of what makes Thompson Academic Coaching unique comes from that creative side—taking ideas from the classroom, the basketball court, and even film and music, and turning them into something that actually resonates with students.
So yeah, I teach organization and consistency—but I came by it honestly, through trial, error, and plenty of late nights.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thompsonacademics.com
- Instagram: @thompson_academics
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thompson-academic-coaching
