In 1998, Cleveland, Ohio native Michael D. Alexander had a plan to use the music industry to spread the word about holistic health while gaining the capital to acquire land for a self-sufficient community. That didn’t happen. Instead, between 2000 and 2003, Michael ended up being convicted and sentenced to a total of 10 years in federal prison.
Where most people, especially Black Americans, are made worse or broken by the penal system, his time away allowed Michael to work on himself while assisting others in their journey to find true wellness and happiness. But First, he had to address his psychological traumas.
Based on research and data analyzed by Mental Health America (mhanational.org):
- Black American people living below poverty are twice as likely to report serious psychological distress than those living over 2x the poverty level.
- Adult Black Americans are more likely to have feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness than adult Whites.
- Black Americans are less likely than White Americans to die from suicide at all ages. However, Black American teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide than White teenagers (9.8 percent v. 6.1 percent).
By the time Michael completed his prison sentence in 2010, he had accepted mental health counseling to address issues from his past, received dozens of certifications in disciplines ranging from drug abuse counseling to personal training, and completed a college program for Business Administration with a 4.0 GPA. In addition, he wrote a 300 page book that was later broken up into three separate releases via Amazon.
All of this was done while Michael helped dozens of other convicts with losing excess body fat, improving health metrics, and overcoming mental disorders such as depression.
After 10 years of reflecting, learning, and maturing, Michael was officially released from federal custody in January 2011.
At the age of 43, following another decade becoming a renowned trainer, community activist, and leader in the fitness industry, Michael relocated to Southern California for a new life as a father and soon-to-be husband. He was excited by the prospect of this new chapter in his life but, a month after his arrival, COVID-19 brought the world to a screeching halt.
Those life altering moments provided Michael with the opportunity to answer two questions that had been re-emerging over the years for him:
1. What are you truly here to accomplish?
2. Are you ready to share with the world what you’ve experienced and learned in your life, so far?
Knowing the answer, Michael (now Coach Mike D.A.) eventually wrote a book and designed a transformation program that can be used anywhere, anytime, and by anyone to achieve the transformation that they need in their lives like he accomplished through all of his trials and tribulations.
With the changing views on life ushered in by the COVID-19 Lockdown response (including perceptions of beliefs, cultural traditions, and definitions of success) a lot of people saw voids in their lives. Coach Mike feels that his process will assist in filling in those gaps.
Question is: What is his process?
Coach Mike D.A. used a nine-step process - based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - that he calls "The Journey of Breaking Cycles". This program consists of:
Step 1. Understanding: Recognizing the negative perceptions, behaviors, and propaganda that shape one's thinking and the need for change.
Step 2. Breakdown: Breaking down one's past actions, decisions, and circumstances for honest self-reflection.
Step 3. Analyze: Digging deep into one’s past experiences to understand the root causes of harmful patterns.
Step 4. Filter: Discern what habits, thoughts, and influences should be kept or discarded.
Step 5. Dispose Of: Permanently discard negative elements and old programming that hinder growth.
Step 6. Aggregate: Combine positive traits and experiences to build a new version of yourself.
Step 7. Refine: Reinforce positive changes through discipline and habitual behavior to polish the new self.
Step 8. Embrace: Accept the changes fully to make them permanent, aligning mind, body, and spirit.
Step 9. Live: Fully embody the new self, thriving instead of merely surviving, and seeking continuous personal growth.
The program emphasizes the importance of introspection, accountability, and persistence, offering practical steps and mindset shifts to help readers break free from destructive cycles and create a fulfilling life. Each step builds upon the previous one, guiding readers through a transformative process designed to empower them to take control of their lives.
To learn more details about Coach Mike D.A’s program, please visit our website.