We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Robinson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Michael, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Philadelphia, PA, and raised in Fort Walton Beach, FL. I’m the oldest of 4 siblings. My earliest memories are of navigating and living in the inner city. The transition from Philly to living on a military base in Fort Walton Beach was a welcomed change and probably created a level of safety that felt like a fairy tale at times. I was exposed to people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives on life, which helped me grow and not allow my circumstances, whether it was living in the inner city or a small town, dictate how I saw myself or what I could accomplish. My family dynamics and being a foster parent for more than 13 years – over 25 kids to date – has positively impacted me in countless ways. I use those lessons today when I’m training to help show youth that they can be bigger than their situation. Moments don’t have define us; how we respond and move forward is what matters most.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My success is the culmination of several people who have been instrumental in my growth both personally andprofessionally. First, my grandmother who instilled an abundance of confidence in me at an early age. Being confident in who you are and what you can do is so important when you’re trying new or difficult things. I can still feel those moments of love, and hear the little sayings as if it were yesterday, even though she is no longer physically with me. Second, my Aunt Sherry and Uncle Ed have also been a tremendous source of encouragement to me, especially, in my moments of self-doubt. Their wisdom of navigating challenging situations has proven invaluable over the years. Third, my mentors Steve Calhoun and Jerrod Johnson have had the biggest impact on my professional career and I am so grateful for how they have taught me important details of Quarterbacking and the business of training as I’ve grown my business. Fourth, I have an awesome group of friends that I truly consider family. They push me, challenge me, celebrate me, and support me in ways that are vitally needed. I cherish these relationships more than they’ll ever know. Last, but certainly not least, are my wife and kids. I find myself in a constant pursuit of wanting to be the best version of myself for them. They are my “why.”
What should our readers know about your business?
Ascension Athletics & Mentoring (A&M) is the athletic training business I founded in 2016. I train and develop athletes ages 6 – 22 that are interested in elevating their skills and performance in football. Ascension A&M came to me after noticing there was a gap with training programs solely focusing on the physical needs of athletes. I wanted to pay forward my knowledge of the sport and also the wisdom and life lessons that I gained from my own life experiences as a student athlete. Honestly, the most enjoyable part of what I do is the relationship building and mentorship that happens while I’m training. Don’t get me wrong, the athletes I train go on to accomplish great things in sports. However, being able to form and nurture meaningful and significant relationships, allowing them to have hard and honest conversations with someone that isn’t a school coach, teacher or their parent creates a unique bond that allows me to push them beyond their physical and mental limits, to believe in themselves. The road to build Ascension A&M has been a meandering road of trial and error with uncomfortable twists and turns. But when I think about my journey so far, it’s very similar to my scouting report. What are my wins and losses? Who was my competition? What are my opportunities for improvement? I think it’s human nature to wish things were different or that circumstances were more ideal. But I wouldn’t be who I am today and I wouldn’t have the opportunity to train these gifted athletes if I didn’t experience the things I’ve experienced. I want the athletes I train to know that about themselves too. Ascension A&M is beyond sports; we’re building great people.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Whew! I might tell on myself, so I’ll keep to the things that are common. For the record, I love Houston! I love driving through the city and seeing our skyline. But all of my people love to eat! So, if my friends were in town we would definitely venture to a few food spots that make the city proud! For starters, I’m just going to say that my family loves pizza. A few that we like the most are Tony’s New York Pizza, Vito’s Pizzeria, Brothers Pizza and Chitalian Pizzeria. If we’re mixing it up Harold’s Chicken, French Fry House, Krab Kings, Papadeaux’s and Alwadi Mediterranean Sandwiches, for sure. I can’t forget about Burn’s Original BBQ for that Texas barbeque experience. The diversity of food truly matches Houston’s vibe. Next, if we’re not too full to move around during the day, I would probably suggest Memorial Park or Discovery Green for some music and people watching, navigating downtown Houston’s underground tunnels, checking out the Museum District or the Houston Zoo because most of us have kids. If it’s that time of year, we’d definitely go to the rodeo. After eating good and exploring the city during the day, we’d probably go for something more chill at night like Town and Country Villages, the Boardwalk at Towne Lakes or the drive-in movies in Hockley. If we really want to get loose (and after a nap), I’d probably take them to the Flats, the Locker Room, the Address, Prospect Park, or a nice roof top bar. What’s nice about Houston is that there is something for everyone and no shortage of fun in sight!
Website: https://theascensionathletics.com/
Instagram: ascension_am
Twitter: Ascension_AM
Facebook: Ascension Athletics & Mentoring
Image Credits
Kate Osorio (📷 IG: @katenicolephoto)
Miracle (📷IG: @miracle10811)