MIKE CROSS'S path to endurance coaching wasn’t traditional—but it’s what makes his approach stand out. A former collegiate football player at Illinois State University, Mike spent six years coaching at the NCAA level before discovering triathlon in 2018. What started as a personal challenge quickly became a life-changing journey—one that saw him lose over 70 pounds and find a new sense of balance through endurance sport.

As a husband, dad, and coach, Mike understands firsthand how demanding it can be to juggle family, work, and training. His coaching philosophy is simple: consistency beats perfection. He believes long-term growth comes from showing up, stacking small wins, and keeping perspective when life gets busy.

Since joining NVDM Coaching in 2020, Mike has helped athletes achieve success at every level—from first-time finishers to Ironman World Championship qualifiers and even an Ironman 70.3 overall winner. But what he values most are the relationships he builds with his athletes and helping them find joy in the process—both in sport and in life.

Mike and his wife, Camie, have made Waco, Texas their permanent home with their daughter, Kenzie, and Australian Shepherd, Logan.

Athletic Achievements:

• 3× Ironman 70.3 Finisher

• Ironman Arizona Finisher (2019)

• 2nd Place TriWaco Age Group Finish (2019)

• Completed a Double Century Bike Ride

Coaching Achievements:

• Ironman World Championship Qualifiers

• Ironman 70.3 World Championship Qualifiers

• Ironman 70.3 Overall Winner

• Multiple age-group podiums across all distances

From Coach Natasha:

“Mike is a fantastic addition to the NVDM Coaching team, as he is an extremely fast learner who always has a willingness to understand the scientific principles applied at NVDM Coaching. More importantly, Mike is a fantastic and timely communicator. It is one thing to understand the sport and how to train for it; it’s another to effectively communicate it to athletes—and this is where Mike shines through.”