Michael O'Brien, Biography

Michael O'Brien helps sales and marketing leaders who are juggling it all slay the internal feelings of worry and doubt so they can accomplish complete success.

Before starting his executive coaching firm, Peloton Coaching and Consulting, Michael spent over two decades in the pharmaceutical/bio industry in roles that ranged from sales to marketing to executive leadership.

He is also lucky to be alive. On July 11th, 2001, he was struck head-on by a speeding SUV while out on a training bike ride. He considers it his last bad day and shares his journey from being a human doer to a human being in his best-selling memoir, Shift: Creating Better Tomorrows and donates all the proceeds to the World Bicycle Relief.

Finally, Michael is an active volunteer and corporate sponsor for the Healthcare Business Women’s Association and an advocate for gender parity. He lives in Bergen County, NJ with his wife, two daughters, three dogs and Rosie the cat.

Follow Michael on LinkedIn, Twitter  or on his website: www.michaelobrienshift.com/

 

Michael's Secret to Success 

 

Links to References Discussed

Shift: Creating Better Tomorrows: Winning at Work and in Life

Tour de France

Greg LeMond

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation

International Coach Federation

David Kolb

Peloton Coaching

Peloton Cycles

Seth Golden

World Bicycle Relief

Evernote

Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection by Sharon Salzberg

 

Check out Michael's Book! 

Question for the audience:

What was the biggest takeaway from this interview that will HELP YOU SUCCEED?  

Share your thoughts in the comments below, or on social media.

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Show Notes

1:27 Michael’s intro & background in the Pharma industry

4:43 How to get foot in the door without experience

6:16 Finding the love of cycling

7:30 Resilience in sport & in business

8:31 Sticking long term in the same company

9:25 Getting downsizing, and diversifying your resume

12:20 Resigning from a company, or moving within

15:10 Chasing happening – status, money, titles vs being present

17:05 Challenge for those growing within an organization

19:15 Set up vs execution of the plan

20:40 Michael’s accident, & his last bad day

24:52 Changing your mindset to achieve what you want

29:57 Creating better tomorrows

30:30 PBR = Pause, Breath & Reflect

31:40 Perspective, and Tony’s last day bad

35:48 Motivating the challenged, challenging the motivated

37:30 “Bonking” and what it means in cycling & life

39:39 How learning about bonking, helps thru rehab

45:45 Sports, hobbies & discipline

46:35 Making decisions on downsizings

50:20 Finding & using a coach to help your success

51:28 “Gets lonely at the top”; why coaching matters for leaders

54:30 Peloton – how teams are better together

57:27 Stepping away from a long career, & starting your own business

1:01:58 inspiration for writing the book “Shift”

1:06:14 What success means to Michael

1:09:19 Rapid Fire Questions

Early or evening workout

A habit that you’ve changed that makes a big impact

Favorite tool or smart phone app

Filtering thru the noise

What’s a book that you recommend

1:15:50 What’s your one key to success