I'm Glad You're Here!
My name is David Mikel. I'm a husband, father, former Green Beret, strength and conditioning coach, endurance athlete, and most importantly, a disciple of Jesus.
I founded Transcend Endurance because I believe we should pursue excellence with the abilities and opportunities God has given us.
For years, fitness was primarily about performance for me. I wanted to become stronger, faster, tougher, and more capable. Those things still matter to me, and I continue to pursue them.
But following Jesus has changed why I pursue them.
Fitness is no longer the destination. It is one part of learning to live with discipline, gratitude, humility, perseverance, and purpose.
My goal with Transcend Endurance is to help runners and tactical athletes take ownership of their training through evidence-based endurance and strength coaching while also encouraging people to take seriously the teachings of Jesus and the kind of life He calls us to live.
About Me
I am a coach that thinks leading by example is crucial and love training for long distance endurance races while pairing it with the same type of strength training that my elite tactical athletes do.
I grew up in southern California and was a kid that loved to explore, ride bikes, jump fences, shoot airsoft guns, and get into a little trouble every now and again. I ran cross-country in high school before dropping out of that and getting in with a bad crowd. I wasted years of my life getting into trouble and partying. I went to community college for a while before I decided to turn my life around and join the Army.
I joined the Army with a contract that gave me the opportunity to try out for the Green Beret’s, and I made it (just barely). I served for six years before I was medically retired from something that happened on my first deployment. I then went through the darkest time of my life before deciding to return to school and earn my master's degree in Exercise Science.
Shortly after finishing my degree, I got a job as a strength and conditioning coach for the Army! I coached and provided education to thousands of soldiers during my four years as a coach in the Army. I have trained countless soldiers for SFAS, Ranger School, RASP, Air Assault, and EIB.
I eventually decided to leave that job because it was apparent that God was calling me to do something else, so I founded Transcend Endurance! I dedicated the company to God and want to help as many people as I can!
I am lucky to be married to my best friend, Michelle, and we have a son, Knox, who certainly keeps us on our toes!
