Meet Coach Mikel

Helping Moms & Dads Build Strength, Confidence, and Lasting Fitness.

Hi, I’m Mikel, founder of Strength31 LLC and a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer.

My own fitness journey began after my father suffered a massive heart attack. He survived, but months later, I experienced the heartbreaking loss of my favorite uncle to a heart attack at just 50. As I watched more people in my family struggle with heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health problems, I realized I needed to take a hard look at my own nutrition and lifestyle.

But one of the biggest mistakes I made was trying to figure it all out on my own.

For years, I struggled with inconsistency and experienced plenty of ups and downs. Eventually, I realized that wanting to change wasn’t enough—I needed guidance, a structured plan, accountability, and someone to help me stay on track. 

Getting a coach changed everything for me.

Having someone who could guide me, challenge me, hold me accountable, and support me through the process helped me break the cycle of inconsistency.

With that structure and support, I was able to stay consistent, make better choices, and eventually lose 28 pounds while gaining muscle and becoming healthier and stronger than I had ever been. More importantly, I experienced firsthand how powerful the right coaching and support system can be.

But my story didn’t end there.

I eventually became a dad, and somewhere along the way, I made the same mistake again—I thought I could do it all on my own. Life got busy, my priorities shifted, and I regained some of the weight and lost some of the fitness I had worked so hard to build. The difference this time was that I knew what I needed to do. Yes, I got a coach!

And I haven’t stopped since.

That experience taught me something I still believe today: none of us should have to navigate our health and fitness journey completely alone. Even the coach needs a coach. Sometimes, having someone in your corner—someone to provide direction, accountability, encouragement, and a plan—can make all the difference.

That realization also changed the way I looked at my own career. I realized that the same support that helped me could help someone else who was struggling to stay consistent. In 2018, I became a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, building my foundation in safe, effective, and evidence-informed exercise programming. I then joined a local fitness center, where I began helping others improve their health through exercise and practical nutrition guidance.

As I worked with more people, I began seeing a familiar pattern. Many people—especially parents—didn’t need more information; they needed someone to guide them, listen to them, keep them accountable, and help them stay consistent when life got in the way. I recognized their struggles because I had lived them myself.

That’s what inspired me to create Strength31: to help hardworking moms and dads make their health a priority without feeling like they have to figure it all out alone.

Through my S31 System™ — Reset. Rebuild. Perform., I provide the guidance, structure, accountability, and support clients need to build strength, confidence, and sustainable habits that fit real life.

My Coaching Philosophy

I believe that your fitness journey doesn’t have to be perfect. Mine isn’t.

But it does need three essential things: a place to start—even from the comfort of your own home—a plan that works for you, and a coach in your corner.

My approach combines personalized training, practical guidance, and accountability to help you build strength, improve your fitness, and develop habits you can maintain.

Through my unique S31 System™ — Reset. Rebuild. Perform. — we’ll focus on building a solid foundation, progressively improving your strength and fitness, and helping you feel more capable in everyday life.

What You Can Expect From Me

• Personalized guidance: Training tailored to your current fitness level, goals, and circumstances.
• Structure and accountability: A clear plan to help you stay consistent, even when life gets hectic.
• Sustainable progress: Practical habits and achievable steps that support long-term results.
• Support without judgment: A coaching environment where you can learn, improve, and move forward at your own pace.
• Practical Nutrition Guidance — Simple strategies to help you make better everyday food choices and support your training.

You don’t have to do it alone.
Let’s get started.