Mike Erwin has dedicated his life to serving the nation and empowering people to build positive relationships---and become more resilient. Mike is the founder & CEO of The Character & Leadership Center and has worked with companies including Amazon, PWC, BD, Procter & Gamble, college teams from the Universities of Michigan, Virginia Tech, Maryland and NC State, Special Forces units and professional sports teams including the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavs and the Carolina Hurricanes. He is co-author of “LEAD YOURSELF FIRST "which focuses on how solitude strengthens people’s character---and their ability to lead with clarity, balance and conviction. He is also co-author of “LEADERSHIP IS A RELATIONSHIP” which details why leaders who prioritize relationships are more effective. A 2002 graduate of The U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, Mike was commissioned as an Intelligence Officer, serving in three combat tours with the First Cavalry Division and 3rd Special Forces Group. His service includes deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004-2005---that involved the Battles of Fallujah and Najaf. Mike also deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2006-2007 and 2009. He earned two Bronze Star Medals from these tours. Following his third deployment, Mike attended the University of Michigan from 2009-2011, where he earned a Master’s degree in positive psychology and leadership under the tutelage of the co-founder of positive psychology, Dr. Chris Peterson. While a graduate student, he founded Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB), a non-profit who is forging America’s leading health and wellness community for veterans. Mike led Team RWB from 2010-2013 and returned to the Executive Director from 2019-2025, as the organization crossed over 300,000 members in its 15th year. In 2015, Mike co-founded the Positivity Project---an organization with the mission to empower America’s youth to build positive relationships and become their best selves. With 862 partner schools, the organization reaches over 525,000 children daily. He served as CEO for four years and remains involved as a strategic advisor. Mike also serves as the founding board chair for Father Vincent Capodanno High School, a private, independent Catholic school outside Fort Bragg, NC. Community service, character and leadership development are integral to the school’s model, accounting for 30% of students’ GPA. Mike continues to proudly serve the nation as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, assigned to the U.S Military Academy as an Assistant Professor. Follow Mike's work at: https://www.mikeerwin.net/ https://www.saintsebastianinstitute.org/Co-founder & Chairman https://characterleadership.center/ Founder & CEO Leadership is a Relationship, Co-author Lead Yourself First, Co-author https://posproject.org/Co-founder https://teamrwb.org/ Founder & Board This podcast is proudly sponsored by my coaching business, Action Over Obstacles Lifestyle Performance Coaching, where I coach clients to help them break through personal barriers and create lasting lifestyle improvements through 1:1 coaching, group coaching, and transformational challenges. I am a Certified Alcohol-Free & Positive Psychology Performance Coach and hold a Diploma in Coaching & Positive Psychology. I utilize a Solutions Based Forward Focused Coaching approach grounded in the Six Pillars of Optimal Lifestyle Performance which are: Optimized SleepAlcohol AwarenessConsistent MovementQuality NutritionMeaningful ConnectionQuiet Reflection Time Visit my website https://www.actionoverobstacles.com/ to learn more. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actionoverobstacles/ Email: Jarrod@actionoverobstacles.com
