We were lucky to catch up with Mike Bradshaw recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Mike thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about the best advice you’ve ever given to a client? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)

I had a client who had a very serious health condition involving her circulatory system. She was afraid of working out and performing anything that could be too strenuous on her body that could potentially create more health issues for her. She was very limited to the exercises she could do and at the time could physically only perform small movements. As her trainer, my main focus was to get the blood flowing. Blood circulation is one of the most important and essential bodily functions. It supplies our vital organs with oxygen and the nutrients we need to operate. Poor blood circulation can have fatal consequences if left untreated. One of the best ways to get the blood flowing and improve our circulation is through exercise. We need to get out there and move our bodies. Cardiovascular exercise naturally promotes blood flow. When a client has circulation problems, I choose exercises that focus on that part of that body. For example, if circulation is poor in your feet, something as simple as going for a walk will get the blood flowing in your legs, ankles, feet and even your toes. I take each clients needs very seriously and create work outs that are suitable for their specific needs. For this client, I felt boxing would be the best fit. And it was! I incorporated boxing and some body weighted movements and it had a profound effect on her recovery. Exercise saved her life.

Mike , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve always been passionate about health and fitness. I grew up playing sports and had a family that encouraged me to pursue my athletic abilities. I found solace in being part of a team, overcoming obstacles and pushing my body to peak performance. I made excelling in sports my thing and was a tri-athlete heading into high school, playing baseball, football and basketball. In 2003, I moved to ATL to play football at Clark Atlanta University. I loved playing football, but when my athletic career didn’t go pro in 2010, I had to re-evaluate my situation and decide on my next move. I decided to join the Army as an Airborne Infantryman (Paratrooper). The army helped me gain realization of my own strength by getting through rigorous training and the military lifestyle. I was already fit from sports, but I learned a whole new mental strength I didn’t know I had. That mentality showed up at the gym with me and random people started recognizing me as the “dude with the Training Mask and resistance bands” being a little extra at the gym. People would salute me, ask questions and were interested in my workouts/training. I never pictured myself as a trainer, it wasn’t a career path I had envisioned for myself. I just worked out because it was fun and something I enjoyed doing.
I started working out with a couple of friends and would have them follow my lead. They would show up and let me kick them around the gym, much like I got kicked around in the Army. It was all in fun. Next thing I knew, they were referring to me as their trainer and telling people to book a session with me. I never labeled myself as a trainer, it sounded kind of weird, but I just went with it. I’ve always found satisfaction in helping others. I figured this was another way I could do that. I decided to give this trainer thing a shot and learn all the ins and outs of the industry. If I was going to do it, I wanted to be great at it. I started learning about the business side of it and began to realize I could actually make a career out of this thing. What really lit a fire inside me, was the impact I saw I was having on people. I started to realize that my military inspired fitness approach set me apart and provided a different vibe that people not only needed, but also appreciated. I don’t just look like I know what I’m doing, I really know fitness like the back of my hand. I realized being a fit-preneur was once again all of the things that brought me solace. That satisfaction I feel when I am able to have a positive impact on someone’s life. Also instilling that Feelings Don’t Matter and that Mind to Muscle mentality. I would get a lot of backlash to the “Feelings Dont Matter” phrase but the thing i would also tell them is remember “if you let your feelings get between you and your goals/actions you’re essentially limiting your potential and the capacity of what you can achieve.“ I know how to create change in people and that’s where my passion is. I found my purpose.
In addition to being a fitness entrepreneur, I’m also a Retired United States Army Veteran. I have my degree in Exercise Science and I am a Certified Youth Fitness Instructor, Certified Personal Trainer, Specialist in Strength and Conditioning, Corrective Exercise Specialist and Specialist in Sports Nutrition. Of all the titles I hold, I am most proud of being a father. Being a father to my two sons has been the most rewarding and accomplished role of my life.
Team Train Hard is a military inspired fitness group that was established in Atlanta, GA but has since expanded over the years. We have dedicated members on both the east and west coasts. Barry Horton (Ballaboutyourbody) in Connecticut, Jerry Joseph (Jerry Joseph Experience) in New York City and Drew Ray (25/8 Athletics) in California hold down Team Train Hard in those areas. We have recently added El Paso Texas to the list, where you can attend a HIIT style class with me personally. We offer a variety of online programs that are designed for individuals of all fitness levels. We have one on one personal training sessions as well as virtual sessions if you are not local. We also do pop classes in major cities across the country at different times throughout the year. These are posted on our website and for the most current and up to date events give our Instagram page a follow.
I am proud of the impact my programs have had on people’s lives and I am grateful to be able to reach more people through large platforms such as the Military Fresh Network, Fit Radio, Training Mask Master Trainer Series, Trainersvault and multiple YouTube Channels.

Have you ever had to pivot?

My position in the army is a physically demanding one. I tore my achilles tendon and had surgery this past year. This created an issue within my position because I was no longer able to perform what was required of me on a physical level. When I joined the army, I thought I would be in for life. Due to my surgery, I had to re-evaluate my situation in regards to my health and what this now meant for my military career. My recovery was my main priority. An Achilles injury takes anywhere from 6-12 months for a full recovery regardless of the treatment method. It caused a little bit of a setback, but I began physical therapy and continued working out. I had military testing done in the past and my scores showed at the age of 37, I was performing the same as a 27 year-old athlete. Learning this information made it clear to me that what I was doing was working and it was just another motivating factor that caused me to dig deeper and push my clients harder because I wanted to help more people.
I viewed this pivot in my life, not as a failure but rather an opportunity. An opportunity to go full force into my true passion. Pivoting is an intentional and purposeful shift we make in our lives for the better. I’m ready for it. Fitness is not just about getting people in shape, my mission is to change lives through fitness.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Best Client Advice I had a client who had a very serious health condition involving her circulatory system. She was afraid of working out and performing anything that could be too strenuous on her body that could potentially create more health issues for her. She was very limited to the exercises she could do and at the time could physically only perform small movements. As her trainer, my main focus was to get the blood flowing. Blood circulation is one of the most important and essential bodily functions. It supplies our vital organs with oxygen and the nutrients we need to operate. Poor blood circulation can have fatal consequences if left untreated. One of the best ways to get the blood flowing and improve our circulation is through exercise. We need to get out there and move our bodies. Cardiovascular exercise naturally promotes blood flow. When a client has circulation problems, I choose exercises that focus on that part of that body. For example, if circulation is poor in your feet, something as simple as going for a walk will get the blood flowing in your legs, ankles, feet and even your toes. I take each clients needs very seriously and create work outs that are suitable for their specific needs. For this client, I felt boxing would be the best fit. And it was! I incorporated boxing and some body weighted movements and it had a profound effect on her recovery. Exercise saved her life.

Contact Info:

• Website: TeamTrainHard.com
• Instagram: MikeBradshawSr
• Facebook: Mike Bradshaw Sr.
• Youtube: Mike Bradshaw Sr.