Stories and Testimonials

Stories from Clients, Coaches and Families

It has taken me a very long time to agree to use these stories or testimonials (I hate that word).  I have been encouraged to do so by the parents, coaches and athletes I’ve worked with.  These are just a few of the kind remarks I’ve kept locked away.  They tell me I’ve been backwards not promoting myself.  For years I told them just refer me to others and that is enough for years.  Well when I heard from Mauricio and he told me I was just being stupid I guess I had to listen. So here are a few of the people that have touched my life over the years. If you are a former athlete I’ve worked with and want 15 seconds of fame, drop me an email and I’ll put your story here as well.
-MM

Mike-
It’s Mauricio.  I’m glad I caught up to you.  Man it’s been a long time.  Things are good. I have a small business and nice family.  I still think about how you helped me pursue my dreams towards the Olympics.  The thing with the discus was so crazy.  Be well my friend and let’s stay in touch.
-Mauricio B

Hey Mike,
I hope to have you come speak to the team again this Spring as we aim for two championships in row!  Your help pre-race helped our team tremendously.  Thanks again!
— Coach JD

Mike
Among the many things I’m grateful to my son’s coach for doing is putting us in touch with you.  You’ve given Patrick a lot of the tools that he uses on a daily basis now, whether in baseball or life, and they are a tremendous asset.  I’m sure he’ll appreciate more and more as he matures.
–Donna G

Mike Margolies was effective in helping me to recognize how flaws in my thought processes play a role in feelings of anxiety about work and career. He taught me how breathing and meditation exercises can be effective tools for controlling anxiety and worry. These tools help me to stay in the “here-and-now” so I can better recognize what I have control over and what I do not. Mike is a positive and supportive counselor who I would recommend to others without hesitation.
–Dan M

Mike,
I’m sorry that we didn’t catch up with you at the game. In any event, I wanted to tell you that we’ve seen a transformation of James, both on and off the field. Other people close to the team, parents, coaches, and players, have also noted the change. You will probably receive some referrals, based on your work.  It’s really everything we had hoped for. I just want to thank you for your work and hopefully we’ll have that opportunity to meet again in the playoffs!
-Jane M

Mike-
I know I’ve told you this a hundred time, and maybe you will let others know how I feel now, but think you again for helping me with my game. I would have been lost on the golf course these last few years if you had not been there for me. I know you hate the words magic, but that’s the way it seemed to me. You helped me discover what I was passionate about, why I played golf in the first place, and that helped me go from Nike Tour to the PGA tour. The rest of life has been great for me.
-Jon

Mike-
Our daughter was very comfortable working with you. You provided a warm, comfortable and relaxing environment that definitely helped speed through the rapport building part of the process. This obviously made us feel more comfortable also.
You went above and beyond in learning about her sport and the dynamics of her coach and her as an athlete and as a person. She did actually enjoy coming to meet with you . . . looked forward to it. The ideas/instructions and work was well tailored to her needs and issues as well as her age and maturity level.
As parents we appreciated the brief updates you gave us on a regular basis. The work was focused, yet broad enough and even more beneficial because it applied to her on other levels not just the sports issue.
Overall, it was a very good and beneficial experience. In addition to helping with the specific performance issue I think it was good for her to experience this kind of “professional” help and know that that are people like you in the world that can help by talking these things out and offering professional guidance.
-Sandy W

Dude,
You really do rock.  OK did I really talk like that?  I guess I did.  You must have thought I was out there just because of that.  I had a great career as you know.  I’m not sure I’d have gotten there if not for your help.  You taught me so many things I don’t know where to start.  Learning to be accountable for my actions, self confidence and handling stress was key.  Ten years in the NFL was so quick.  You said it would be.  My mind is still strong can say the same for the knee but that was the risk of course.  Jess is doing great.  I’m going to send Jenny out next year before she starts college soccer.
Be well,
-Tom J

Hey Mike,
Can’t thank you enough for helping with Anne’s breathing problem.  Since she has worked with you she can play the whole soccer match.  You taught her to handle her anxiety.   She mad varsity and is a very happy kid.  Thanks again.
-Michele A

Mike:
It was great seeing you on the course last week. Since the workshop I attended I’ve dropped my handicap 5 strokes. I’m now taking money from my buddies that for years took it from me. Such simple suggestions and my game is so much better now. The one thing you didn’t mention was how different I would feel no longer being the guy no one really wanted on their team at corporate events. I was going to get you together for a corporate outing and I thought why should I share the secret. Just kidding. I’m going to get it scheduled for May. I think we will have 15 to 20. Looking forward to having you on campus.
-Bill

Mike,
I don’t know if you remember me.  This is Marcus H.  You might remember me more by my gang name XXXXXXXX.  I just wanted to let you know that your time was well spent.  You’re pulling me along, holding me accountable and teaching me not only to take care of my mental game but to love sport really did keep me in school.  That was a few years ago of course.  In June I get my Bachelors degree.  Mom still tells the story when I ditched your session and you came into the hood looking for me.  I just want you to know that if you hadn’t come to get me that day, I don’t think I would be walking in June.  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
-Marcus H

Mike,
This is Coach Bobby Sxxx .  Your class on the Psychology of Coaching that you did here two years ago not only helped me, but our community.  I talk with Jack W every week.  He was the basketball coach in the group.  We both use what we learned in the course and if nothing else the experience for our young people seems so much better.
-Bobby S

Mike Margolies,
Running into you last week was awesome.  I haven’t seen you in maybe 10 years.  I just wanted to tell you again how great it was to see you.  You really helped me through the knee rehab so I could have a great senior year at UXX.  I have great memories from college and senior year was best.  It never would have happened if you weren’t there for me and taught me how to focus psychologically during the rehab process.  I’m coaching HS football now as an assistant.  I think I do a better job at it because of what I learned from you.  It is very meaningful to me to work with kids.  I make enough $, and helping kids is a different type of reward.  God Bless and be well.
-Johnny K

Mike,
You were right of course, it was time to either go to work on a real career or dedicate myself to golf.  You helped me through a tough time.  I was kind of lost.  Sometimes I think that I should have kept playing and then I look at my kids and know I made the right decision for me.  I’m glad you were there to guide me.
-Jason A

Mike,

1. Have you found the joy in your life?
2. Has your life brought joy to others?
Know that you have helped challenge me to find the fun in my life.  No doubt you have also helped countless others!   And, lastly, I will leave you with a story that always touches my heart and soul, especially at this Season …… it’s called  “The Drawing” ……….
A first grade teacher at Thanksgiving asked her class to draw a picture of something they were thankful for.  She thought of how little these children from poor neighborhoods actually had in their lives.  But she knew that most of them would draw pictures of turkeys or tables with food.  The teacher was taken aback with Douglas’ picture – a simple, childishly drawn hand.  But whose hand?
The class was captivated by the abstract image.  “I think it must be the hand of God that brings us food,” said one child.  “A farmer” said another, “because he grows the turkeys.”  After the children had returned to a class assignment, the teacher bent over Douglas’ desk and asked whose hand it was.  “It’s your hand, Teacher,” he mumbled.  She recalled that frequently at recess she had taken Douglas, a scrubby forlorn child, by the hand.  She often did that with the children.  But it meant so much to Douglas.  (Author unknown)
All my best
-Bob C

This reminds me of my father.  He was a teacher that did much more than I do.  He was a teacher and he taught mostly underprivileged children to read and write.  If I can do anything to accomplish anything close to what he did in his lifetime I will be happy.  MM

Mike,
What can I say?  I’m not sure when I was 15 I really appreciated what you were teaching me to do with the imagery and relaxation.  I do now know that it really helped me get to where I wanted to go with skating.  The folks say hi and thanks as well.
-Susie Y