#006 - OPEX Director of Coaching Mike Lee - a podcast by OPEX Fitness
from 2018-05-15T13:24:44
Bio:
Mike graduated with a degree from California State University at Chico, where he earned his Bachelors of Science in Construction Management. After over 5 years of success as an engineer and Project Manager for Rudolph and Sletten, Inc, a few Life Coaching calls with James, founder of OPEX (Formerly OPT), highlighted his true values. Then his vision became clear. It was helping others fulfill their lives through fitness.
He found his true passion in health and fitness becoming an OPEX certified coach. In 2013, he transitioned from his engineering role and started coaching athletes all over the world with various levels of fitness. Most notably, co-coaching Valerie Voboril who won third place winner at the 2013 CrossFit Games.
Here’s what Val has to say of working with Mike,
“He is an amazing coach because of his dedication and investment in his athletes as a whole; not just the techniques, conditioning, and programming, but the caring, knowledge, compassion, and thoughtfulness he brings to every single one of my workout/training sessions and competitions. I have been truly blessed to have him in my life.”
Growing up a water polo player and swimmer, fitness has always been an enormous part of Mike’s life. With his engineering background, he utilizes a scientific approach to fitness for proven results. He enjoys being a guinea pig, testing performance variables, pushing health to new extremes and coming up with innovative ways to sustain performance, wellness and longevity with any individual.
Mike believes in continuing education and constant learning. He has completed all 5 modules of OPEX CCP Level 1. He spent years training under USAW certification Coach Sean Waxman. Current aspirations in 2013 have him becoming an OPEX Level 2 Coach, Catalyst Athletics certified Weightlifting Coach, obtaining the American Council of Exercise – Functional, Nutrition and Sport Specialist certification and completing his USAW coaching certification.
Show Notes:Websites and Social Media Links:
Books Mentioned:
Mike’s Book Recommendations
Skill Acquisition in SportNon-Linear Pedagogy in Skill Acquisition
The Values FactorHow Good do you Want to Be?
Books Mentioned by Robbie
The Celestine Prophecy The 4 Agreements7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Movies Mentioned:
Podcasts Mentioned:
Time-Line:
0:00 – 0:12 – Robbie’s Intro0:12 – 2:01 - Mike gives us his background2:02 – 3:33 - Robbie asks Mike – How he got involved with OPEX3:34 – 5:22 - Robbie tells the story of how he met Mike for the first time and how James’ missionwith OPEX is one they both knew they wanted to be a part of5:23 – 6:19 - Mike discusses the atmosphere that James has instilled at OPEX – which is seeingeverything opportunity as one to learn and grow6:20 – 7:40 - Robbie speaks about how we can always learn something from every interaction wehave in our lives7:41 – 8:19 – Mike talks about why trying to understand your athletes’ perceptions are vital when itcomes to communicating optimally with them on a moment to moment basis8:20 –10:03 - Robbie shares a great example taken from CCP’s consultation module, delivered bySharon Prete, that demonstrates the power of perceptions and why clear communication betweenthe coach-athlete/ client is critical in building trust10:04 – 12:18 - Robbie asks Mike to tell us more about his role at OPEX, and how he buildsrelationships with his athletes and clients12:18 – 13:14 - Robbie mentions how Marc Strickland (Sports Psychologist for the Oakland Raidersand ALTIS) had stated that trust is the most important factor in success when it comes to everythinginvolving relationships13:14 – 14:21 - Mike mentions that he loves the book Legacy by James Kerr (no dickheads ), andgoes on to discuss why getting to know your athletes/ clients ‘why’ is crucial in relationship building14:22 – 15:03 - Robbie and Mike discuss - that with time and maturity coaches begin to appreciatehow important building relationships with their athletes/ clients is, and that this aspect of coachingis just as important as knowing the science behind training prescription. They both recommend whystudying the fields of pedagogy and self-awareness can be big facilitators in this process15:04 – 15:55 - Mike talks about why it is critical for coaches to know their ‘WHY’!
15:56 – 24:03 - Robbie expands on the importance of Mikes previous point on coaches finding their‘why’, and both Robbie and Mike elude to that fact that peoples ‘why’ is dynamic and ever-changingand that it is okay to change your ‘why’ along the journey with no judgments24:04 – 27:28 - Robbie asks Mike for his current and top book recommendations27:29 – 29:02 - Robbie asks Mike – if he had one year left to live – how would he spend that year?29:03 – 31:08 - Robbie and Mike talk about priorities and life perspective31:09 – 34:29 -Robbie ask Mike the BIG QUESTION – If Mike could invite 5 people to dinner, dead oralive, who would he invite and why?34:30 - 36:27 - Robbie Wraps Up the Show!
Further episodes of OPEX Fitness Presents: Back Room Talk
Further podcasts by OPEX Fitness
Website of OPEX Fitness