My Journey

My father died when I was nine years old.

As a young boy, I lost my father. My mother didn’t let that shape the rest of my life.  Instead, she stepped up and modeled hard work, resilience, and determination.  Sports introduced me to my coaches.  Those coaches taught me how to tackle football players and how to tackle homework assignments.  Those coaches showed me how to get strong in the weight room and how to be mentally strong when I felt like giving up.  Those coaches drove an hour to drop me off after practice because they knew my mom worked long hours.  They were tough on me to wrangle in my adolescent bravado, but they were kind when they knew I was masking sadness with a brave face. 

My goal has always been to pay it forward by connecting with as many kids as I can and helping them realize their self-worth, potential, and the power of hard work… just like my coaches did for me.  As a coach, it’s not about track or football.  The sport was just the vehicle that I sat in while my coaches helped me learn to drive and navigate the journey of life, especially the obstacles.

Working with youth is my calling and my passion

This work is a family mission as I met my wife through my first job coaching track and the entire family has been active in the development and growth of REAL Training. It even prompted us to become foster parents and open our home to children in need.

My journey to Colorado

 I grew up in Houston, Texas.   Although I ran track and field, Coach McCartney recruited me for my football skills. He quickly convinced my mother that there was no better place on earth for me than CU Boulder. He was right.  I played defensive back and was a four-year letter winner from 1992-1996.  I graduated with a Bachelor of Sociology and Minor in Communication.  Immediately, I knew that I wanted to work with kids and play a pivotal role in their lives just as my mentors and coaches did for me.  

I worked as a Probation Officer for 18 years WHILE simultaneously coaching track and football

Oftentimes, people are surprised to learn that “Coach Mo” had two jobs at the same time for almost two decades.  As a new graduate, I immediately began working as a Juvenile Intensive Probation Officer in Boulder County.   Most of my days were spent working with at-risk youth during the day in Boulder.  After my shift ended, I would drive to Denver and put on a different “Coach Mo” hat for track/football practice with student athletes.  

The juxtaposition between my two jobs was powerful.  At 7am, I might discuss stress management techniques with an at-risk teenager whose parents were alcoholics and ignored him.  And then at 7pm, I was discussing stress management techniques with a privileged Boulder teenager whose parents doted on his every move.  I never judged them; instead I learned from each experience.  I learned to intently listen; I learned to be patient and slowly build rapport; I learned that I should always lead by example if I want to earn respect; and I learned how to make sure those kids didn’t take advantage of my empathy and walk all over me. I realized that all youth will experience failure, heartache, and social anxiety in some form, and it doesn’t matter if their parents are millionaires or if they don’t even know who their parents are. My goal is to be the constant source of hope, inspiration, and comfort when they need it the most.

I’ve coached five State Championship teams; I’ve learned how to bring out the best in each person for optimal performance on and off the track.  

For the past decade, I’ve been the Head Track & Field Coach at Niwot High School in Boulder, Colorado.  Back in 2010, I knew I was in for a challenge because Niwot had never won the state championship… ever.  So I got to work. 

In 2013, 2014, and 2015, the Niwot girls Track and Field swept the 4A State Championships three years in a row.  But I still was not completely satisfied because the Niwot boys had not won a state championship…. until last spring when both the boys and girls Niwot Track and Field won the state championship.  I’m proud to report that the Niwot Cougars now have five team state championships, and at minimum, we have top-5 finishes every other year of my decade at Niwot.  

Throughout the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to coach countless individual state champions in track events of all distances and multiple field events.  

I have always said: “I’m a life coach that happens to know a thing or two about track and football.”

In 2020, I was recognized by the Positive Coaching Alliance as National Coach of the Year (out of 800 nominees). I was named National Coach of the Year in 2015 (out of over 9,000 coaches nationwide), as well as multiple other regional, state, and national awards throughout the years.

The key to my success as a coach: I focused on each person’s personal development in all aspects of their lives.

My focus has always been on teaching strong character.

By far, the biggest rewards come when I watch kids making meaningful changes in their life and grow into responsible, hard-working, and kind adults. It doesn’t matter if they grow up and can still run a five-minute mile. If you look at some of my testimonials, you’ll get a sense of just how much I enjoy helping youth.

Over a decade ago, I founded the R.E.A.L. Training Program

REAL stands for Responsibilities, Education, Athletics, and Leadership. In 2007, I created this program because I wanted to instill REAL core values in students on a year-round basis. I didn’t want teenagers to just sporadically set goals during track season, but then ignore their responsibilities for the remainder of the year. I didn’t want youth to think that the most important aspect of life was athletics. Quite the opposite. Our primary objective was to develop character. It's not so much great athletes, but great people with a willingness to reach their goals. In all Leadership classes, we discuss in great detail all the aspects of someone with promising character. We want each student to grow as an all-around individual. This is our primary goal. With a solid foundation and a strong value system, potential for achievement is limitless. Our athletes and students alike will have the strength when the time comes to do their very best without hesitation.

I’ve helped hundreds of kids from all walks of life

Dating back to 1998,  I worked as an assistant and head coach for various track programs in Colorado, including: Denver North (1999-2001), Fairview (2003-2007), and presently, Niwot High School (2010 - ).   Along the way, I also was a Defensive Back Coach and Defensive Coordinator at Ranum, Denver, North, Fairview, Northglenn, and Thornton High Schools.  In addition to student athletes, I formed close relationships with hundreds of youth during my time as a Probation Officer and later as an Engagement Specialist and Truancy Mediator for Boulder County.  

As a life coach, I have an impact on clients because I walk my talk

My clients know that I am talking from the heart. Each and every interaction, I prove to them that I am fully invested in their well-being. Their goals are my goals. I, too, had my own fair share of obstacles to overcome as a teenager and young adult. I walk my talk. I live my life according to the core values that I encourage in young people. I don’t take myself too seriously. I don’t claim to be a “guru” or “healer” or any of those sorts. But what I claim - with fervent passion -is that I deeply care about young people and helping them develop a strong moral compass.