In this episode, we are joined by Coach Mike Holloway, one of the most accomplished and respected figures in American track and field. As the longtime head coach at the University of Florida, Coach Holloway has built one of the most dominant and consistent NCAA programs of the past three decades, guiding his teams to multiple national championships and mentoring generations of Olympians, All-Americans, and leaders beyond the sport.
In this deeply reflective conversation, Coach Holloway goes beyond medals and records to share the values, philosophy, and life lessons that have shaped his journey as both a coach and a builder of culture. We explore:
⬛ How an unexpected start as a volunteer coach sparked a lifelong calling to mentor young athletes
⬛ The influence of his upbringing, family, and faith on his leadership style
⬛ What it takes to build a championship program that sustains excellence year after year
⬛ Why character, discipline, and accountability matter more than raw talent
⬛ How he defines success, failure, and the true mindset of a champion
⬛ The role of grit, patience, and resilience in navigating doubt, setbacks, and pressure
⬛ Why coaching is as much about listening and trust as it is about instruction
⬛ How athletes should prepare not just for competition, but for life after sport
⬛ His perspective on technology, evolution in coaching, and changes in today’s athletes
⬛ Lessons from coaching at the Olympic level and leading elite performers on the world stage
Coach Holloway brings rare clarity and humility to what it means to lead with purpose. His philosophy emphasizes building people first, creating environments of trust, and helping young athletes develop the tools they need to succeed long after the race is over.
With more than 30 years at the University of Florida, Coach Holloway’s legacy is defined not just by championships, but by the lives he has shaped through mentorship, values, and belief in the long game.
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About the Host
Dr. Manish Arora is the co-founder of LearnDesk and Insaito, where he leads marketing and sales. He has helped scale LearnDesk into a global platform serving over 25,000 businesses worldwide. He is currently building Automatan, an AI-powered platform for intelligent workflow automation. With 80+ patents and deep industry experience, Dr. Arora brings thoughtful, human-centered conversations to leaders across disciplines.
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The Inference Show
The Inference Show explores leadership, learning, technology, and human performance through conversations with builders, thinkers, and practitioners shaping the future.
Stay connected and explore more episodes, guests, and insights:
🔗 Automatan: https://www.linkedin.com/company/automatan-ai
🔗 Insaito: https://in.linkedin.com/company/insaito-inc
🔗 Dr. Manish Arora: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manish7901
🔗 Vivek Puri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivpuri
🔗 LearnDesk: https://www.learndesk.us/
🔗 Insaito: https://www.insaito.com/
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