Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Wright.
Hi Michael, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
The bar was set high growing up as the youngest of three in a family of athletes. My mother and Father were Division 1 athletes who met in college and both became coaches of their sport. (Father ran Track, mother was a gymnast).
My two older sisters were multi-sports college athletes who continue to set the bar high as we all moved into our careers and started our families. My mother still runs a gymnastics studio which has been open for 35+ years in Forest Park, IL.
Diving was the sport I chose to excel at in high school, which ultimately led to my current coaching career in Knoxville.
Accomplishing many goals during my college careers such as SEC Champion, USA National Champion, UT School record holder, NCAA All-American, and Olympic Trial Finalist, I felt that diving was a sport I wanted to stay involved with for many years to come.
After finishing my Master’s Degree in Sports Psychology in 2014, I took on the position of Head Age Group Dive Coach for the local sports team Tennessee Aquatics. I began building the club team while also volunteering my time as an assistant dive coach for the University of Tennessee knowing that my dream job would be to coach for my alma mater.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
During my junior year, I sustained a season-ending injury causing me to take a medical redshirt my senior year.
I fractured my L2 and L3 while working on dives from the 10meter platform. This injury brought many struggles mentally and physically that challenged me to the biggest comeback of my life.
Spending countless hours of physical therapy , I fought my way back for the 5th year of diving at UT which became my best year as I won the USA National Championships during my first competition back on the boards.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the head coach of a youth springboard and platform diving program called Tennessee Aquatics. I also assist with the University of Tennessee’s Diving program. Outside of the pool, I am most known for 5 seasons of the TV show American Ninja Warrior.
I go by the name “The Speedo Ninja” which ties in my coaching path to the sport of diving. I wear an orange and white checkerboard speedo to represent the University of Tennessee and all of the Knoxville fans. This all came about while a group of kids I coached were watching the show and encouraged me to take on the challenge. 5 seasons later, I can say, I have been to the Vegas finals and stood toe to toe with the best ninjas in America.
The competitive mindset I have from competing at the college level has carried over to my career in coaching. Leading by example and setting the bar high gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment. Understanding what it takes to compete at the highest level gives me an edge when working with the next generation of athletes.
My goal as a coach is to help produce competitive athletes who excel at everything they put their minds to. Over 80% of high school athletes to leave my program have been offered scholarships to continue diving at the next level. I understand that even as a coach, sports do not define who you are. What defines you is your morals, integrity and work ethic.
My goal is to reassure kids that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Not every kid will become a national champion, but having the right mindset toward school, friendships and life will really set them up for success.
We’d love to hear what you think about risk-taking?
When chasing big dreams people often find themselves out of their comfort zone. In the sport of diving, I found myself out of my comfort zones on a daily bases.
Preforming 4 1/2 flips from a 3-story platform before hitting water hands first at 30 mph will put you out of your comfort zone real quick. As a coach, I make sure my athletes understand that putting themselves in the situation of being uncomfortable, and getting out of their comfort zone, is where they will grow the most, you will either learn you love or hate what you are doing real quick.
I often tell my athletes who are striving for the Olympic dream that you have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. I emphasize that having the courage to challenge boundaries, push limits and higher your expectations will truly put you ahead of your competition.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tnaquatics.com
- Instagram: @The_Coachmike
