Mighty Oak Athletic breaks down the Köhler Effect — how teamwork and shared effort help Mighty Oak athletes push harder, build confidence, and lift each other up.

Coach Mike talks about why play is essential for progress.

Hear how a group of middle school baseball players turned strength training into a giant tic-tac-toe relay—and what it taught about joy, balance, and longevity in sports.

Discover why Mighty Oak builds play into every session to create stronger, faster, and happier athletes for life.

Coach Mike talks about modern nutrition habits, the Health Savings Account analogy, and how parents can help kids balance fun with fuel. From Halloween candy to everyday meals, this conversation explores how small choices add up — and how Mighty Oak teaches athletes to make better deposits into their long-term health.

Coach Mike shares the story of his first bench press with Ray—and the powerful lesson it taught about focus, fear, and personal responsibility.

Discover how that single moment under the bar shaped the philosophy behind “We Build Better Athletes,” and why every rep is really about mastering yourself.

Coach Mike shares the story behind his essay Thumos: The Fire That Fuels Great Athletes — an ancient Greek idea that explains the spirit driving courage, pride, and perseverance.

You’ll hear how that fire was tested when his son, Nick, suffered a serious shoulder injury during his senior football season — and how the long road to recovery reignited his thumos.

This conversation goes beyond the weight room.

It’s about parenting, patience, and the moments that forge character.

Because muscles heal, but spirit — thumos — is what keeps us moving forward.

Unpack what it really means to build strength that lasts.

From a golden-retriever-hearted freshman finding his place on the basketball court to the gym rules that shape Mighty Oak’s identity, this conversation explores how discipline, consistency, and even mistakes forge character.

We’ll talk about the difference between what’s given and what’s proved, how culture starts with small daily habits, and why the best lessons are often learned in the moment they sting most.

Inspired by the timeless ideas of Coach Dan John, this episode reminds athletes, parents, and coaches alike:

strength isn’t just what you lift—it’s who you become when things get heavy.

Explore the idea of “training to be a grandparent.” Learn how mobility, strength, and simple daily habits prepare you to stay active, playful, and fully engaged with your grandkids for years to come.

Coach Mike shares the story of how his son Nicholas went from being one of the smallest kids in his friend group to stepping onto the high school football field with confidence, strength, and leadership. We explore how strength training in a garage gym became the foundation of Mighty Oak Athletic, how simple movements and consistent effort can change a child’s narrative, and why training together as a family builds more than muscle—it builds resilience, confidence, and lifelong health.

In this episode of the Mighty Oak Athletic Podcast, Michael Ockrim shares his personal journey of discovering strength training as a teenager at Fenwick High School — and how the weight room gave him the one thing life couldn’t: agency. From feeling powerless in school and sports to finding confidence under the barbell, Michael reflects on how lifting shaped his identity, built resilience, and became the foundation for Mighty Oak Athletic. This discussion dives into why strength training is more than building muscle — it’s about reclaiming control, building belief, and proving to yourself that you can change.

In this episode, we break down the Mighty Oak Athletic essay “Under the Bar”—exploring how the barbell teaches discipline, grit, and life skills that athletes carry far beyond the gym.