My time training with Michael helped me evolve in many ways. When I first started working with him, I had ended my high school cross country season early due to shin splints. If not taken care of properly, this injury could have prevented me from participating in both soccer and track later that year as well. Luckily, Michael knew not only how to help heal the injury, he also knew how to keep me in shape and even improve my performance.

Using his deep water running training routine and knowledge of holistic healing, not only did I improve my performance in running as soon as I recovered, I also learned about his unconventional yet strategic approach to training. The program he established for me involved running workouts in the pool, which simulated running on ground, but avoided the stress that it could put on my shin. It also made me much lighter on my feet and stronger, as the resistance of the water made running on land feel much easier. His holistic healing involved the practice of Qigong, a 5000 year old Chinese medical modality that improved my balance, diet, health, discipline, focus, and awareness.

Overall, for each and any client, Michael can formulate a personalized routine crafted to assure peak performance without over-exhaustion or further risk of injury. I cannot stress how extremely thankful I am for Michael and what he taught me about fitness, health, qigong, and running.

I have been bed bound for 2 years with limited physical functioning, which has made returning to my healthy and fit self very challenging. During this time various trainers and physical therapists had worked with me with limited, or no success. My doctor told me of a ‘Holistic Personal Trainer’ that she felt could help me achieve my goals of standing, walking and being self sufficient, as well as becoming healthier and fitter.

After much thought about, ‘What a Holistic Personal Trainer’ is, and what he does, I decided to call Michael Holland. That was just about one year ago. I must say that at first, his ways of working with me did not make sense. I now understand his methods and philosophies.

Within in a few sessions my right leg, which had no mobility or function, amazingly began to ‘wake up’ and function. My overall strength and flexibility has greatly increased, and I have lost weight as well. My energy is also consistently improving. It will not be much longer before I am up and moving, and self sufficient.

I highly recommend Michael’s ‘Holistic’ methods!

This past year I was seriously injured with a strained groin towards the end of my senior year track season. The injury rendered me incapable of competing in the 200 meters. Michael Holland was instrumental on my road to recovery – providing me with the support and guidance that I needed to heal and strengthen an injured body and spirit. Through working with him, I was able to run again, and faster than I had before. In a short span of the summer I went from walking to jogging to running without pain. Now I look forward to a bright career in collegiate athletics, running for the University of California, San Diego. This is all thanks to Michael’s dedication and support of all facets of healing, from catering to the tangibility of the body to the ethereal yet equally important temperament of the spirit. 2009 – 200m-21.86

I have worked with Michael Holland for the last three years. He approaches health and fitness coaching from a holistic perspective. Recently I needed total knee replacement surgery on both knees. I believe this a result of running to many half and full marathons many years ago.

Michael and I prepared for the surgery, and he worked with me after the surgeries. This focused treatment paid off, both my doctor and I have been very pleased with how rapidly the knees healed, and how I was able to increase my activity quickly. The engagement with Michael was instrumental to this quick recovery. I can highly recommend his work.

My dietary changes, the stretches and the deep water running have been absolutely transformational in tuning and strengthening my body. In just a couple of months of working with Coach Michael Holland (and after about 10 years), I am now at my ideal weight. I feel great and with each week my knee is getting stronger. I have resumed a weekly practice of hiking the PG&E Trail at Rancho San Antonio (a rigorous 8 mile hike) without any knee pain, and I am looking forward to returning to doing triathlons with my daughter, who is 37 years my junior!

Michael is an amazing “healer” trainer and coach!

I have been able to observe his work over the years with athletes and injuries in all age groups. My most recent personal issue was a complete rupture of my hamstring muscles off of the posterior pelvis playing “A” league hockey at age 55. I am a long ago retired pro and a practicing surgeon. My orthopedic colleagues recommended surgery and I was advised I might not regain normal function.

I turned to Michael. RRIP!. Regression, Recovery, Integration Progression. We started with Ice, then Ice and heat with the tiniest of reactivation movements and nerve “reawakening”. Ultimately over 4-6 months with intensive pool therapy (deep water movement, walking then running), Active Isolated Stretching and TRX. Guess what!! Complete recovery. No more hockey for me but plenty of cycling, jogging, yardwork etc, etc , with no problems.

He has helped my family and friends in similar fashion. Give him a call!

Michael’s eclectic professional and personal experience brings the synergy of the athlete and coach into a rare reality of athletic training based on respect. Our first training with Michael set up an immediate relationship of respect. He listens to Jeremy and quickly connects with him, getting to know my son, where he is now as an athlete and what brought him to this point to empower him on his journey. Michael’s detailed attention to body mechanics, at every training, has enabled my son with skills that cross over into every sport giving him greater access to show up in his natural abilities as an athlete. Michael brings the missing link in coaching and training to the athletic experience.

Michael Holland has been my Personal Trainer and Health Coach for close to 10 years. He has helped me resolve various back, neck and shoulder issues, as well as increase my strength, core function, flexibility and improve my balance. He recently created a deep water pool workout that is challenging, safe and helps to keep me injury free.

His knowledge and diversity of western and eastern methods gives him the tools to create, and adapt specific ‘personal training programs’ that consistently meet my diverse needs. I worked with many trainers before Michael, but none were as attentive, diverse and passionate as he is.

I have known coach Holland for more than six years. Michael was highly recommended to me when I was looking for a trainer to help my son with his conditioning and golf game. He helped him with all aspects of his game – he ended up becoming the top player in his high school team in his senior year. Subsequently he worked with my younger son on his soccer skills and eventually with me directly as I was working through some lower backpain issues that prevented me from running as much as I had grown accustomed to. In general, I like and appreciate Michael’s attention to details of the individual’s desires/goals relative to their existing physical condition and constraints concentrating on long-lasting results – not trading off risks of injury/reinjury for short-term gain.

I’ve also been impressed with how Michael strives to stay up to date with the latest trends in exercise, healing and nutrition to bring valuable insights, tools and techniques to his clients.

Specifically, the things that worked for me best were: core strengthening and stretching (Active Isolated Stretching-AIS) (for my back), TRX training (general conditioning) mixed with cardio and pool exercises.
I have recommended Michael to other friends – you won’t be disappointed.

Michael Holland has been helping me with my fibromyalgia and chronic back pain for three years. The holistic strength training, nutrition, and wellness methods he has taught me, gives me consistent relief, and improvement! He also has extensive knowledge in pain management, and resolution. I have nothing but high praise for him!