"Mike and I went to High school together. We studied together, were on the golf team together, and we lifted together as well. After high school, Mike stayed in Chicago to establish himself as the great man he is, while I left to Hawaii to pursue an education. Despite the distance, we keep in contact, and always get a chance to see each other when I come back into town. Mike has always been there for me, whether I had issues going on in my life, or with questions about diet and lifting, as I have been there for him. Like Mike, I am a bodybuilder, and last year I competed in my first contest ever: The Paradise Cup in Honolulu. Despite being five thousand miles away, Mike would patiently answer my questions via phone or email about diet and cardio that I was able to build my body to the best shape it has ever been in; enough for me to take third place in the bantam weight class in that contest. His advice and motivational speeches helped me to forge myself into something glorious. This year I intend to compete in the same contest again, and I know Mike will be there, motivating me along the way. Thank you Mike, you are, and always will be my brother."
~ Thomas S., Honolulu, Hawaii

"I have a form of rheumatoid arthritis that was well controlled with medication, but it had hampered my efforts to work out and stay fit. I knew I needed to do something, so I got my doctors OK to begin working out. Then, in 2004, I joined a gym for the sole reason that it was on my way home from work. What a fortuitous decision. I was offered a free session with a trainer. That trainer turned out to be Mike Salazar. Mike walked in and introduced himself. Mike was 18 at the time and I thought to myself, “Oh no, they have given me some college hotshot who is not going to listen to or understand my needs.” I was prepared for a big letdown. Man, was I wrong. Mike took the time in a pre-session interview to listen to my concerns and hear me out with respect to the disease and my limitations. He researched arthritis and when I showed up for my free session, he had a workout planned and written down that fit what I needed, more reps and lower weights to start with. I left that first session feeling much better. I signed up for a number of sessions, still thinking that Mike's attentiveness would fade and that I would end up worse off than when I started. Week after week I was pleasantly surprised. Mike worked me harder and harder over time, but in very gradual steps always making sure that I was staying within the limitations of my disease and helping me to get more fit and not just stronger. I kept at it with Mike until I moved to Florida in 2005. If I had not moved, I would still be training with Mike. If I could get him to move to Florida, I would still be training with Mike. In a way, I am still training with Mike because he did write down for me a number of routines to use, but also taught me how to put together routines of my own. If you are motivated and want a trainer who will work with you to achieve your goals, Mike is your guy."
~ Andy P., Coral Springs, FL

"I've been training with Mike Salazar for the last 3 years. His training philosophy is very effective for someone like me - a busy working professional who travels a lot. By adopting his attitude of "fitness as a lifestyle", he has helped me quit smoking, alleviate chronic back pain, lose weight and have more energy than when I was a teenager! Mike does the things you wish all trainers would do - he tracks my fitness progress, he knows my physical strengths and weak points, and he knows how to motivate and challenge me to do a little better each time. Training with Mike doesn't end at the weekly session - he sends exercise and nutrition tips regularly and he will even go grocery shopping with you to pick out the good stuff! I have found Mike to be a trainer who is truly committed to his client's fitness goals."
~ Ally C., Evanston, IL

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