Mike Duffy

Personal Trainer of the Month - April 2011





Interviewed by: Mike Hall
Nominated by: Abby Huot


Mike Duffy is a highly athletic 36-year-old Certified Personal Trainer whose world has always revolved around exercise in some capacity. When Mike was younger, he was a competitive mogul skier for a number of years. He started training in Tae Kwon Do when he was 18, and later discovered the Filipino martial art, Kali, the art and philosophy of JKD (Jeet Kune Do), Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Wing Chun, Boxing, and Capoeira.

Mike just “fell” into personal training but, in the mist of it all, he found his true passion. He went to school to be a pilot and planned to join the Navy. When he turned 30, he decided the military life was not for him after all. He was at a bit of a loss until it was suggested he give personal training a go. He initially resisted for fears of burning out and overtraining, but it’s actually been the opposite experience. And now, let’s get to the rest of the story...

"...Since I started (personal training), I think I've resolved to the fact that I will probably never know everything. I think many assume they know everything there is to know with their first certification. It is good for me to check my ego at the door and embrace the fact that this job will always require an open mind and willingness to learn."

WP: Mike, how long have you been a personal trainer?

I’ve been a personal trainer since 2005, so about 6 years.

What do you feel sets you apart from all other personal trainers out there?

I’m willing to accept that anything might work for any given client. What works for client “A” will not necessarily work for client “B”. There are way, way, too many cookie-cutter style workouts out there. I believe in functionality and corrective exercise as a foundation. I’m not going to push you to your limit if your body can’t even handle a basic squat pattern. I do not stand around texting my friends while I’m on the clock with my clients; and yes, this does happen frequently.

While I enjoy basic bodybuilding-style movements, I like to have my clients get engaged with kettlebells, ropes, plyometrics, Indian clubs, sprinting, stability, and mobility drills. Some of the smallest exercises out there will get the job done, too.

WP: What is your educational background? What are your certifications?

I went to school for sociology and to be a professional pilot. The sociology has helped me in my interpersonal relationship with my clients and trying to help them realize their goals. My certifications are NASM, FMS, CHEK Exercise coach, an Inosanto JKD Kali Level III Apprentice Instructor, and an instructor under Rick Faye at the Minnesota Kali Group.

WP: Who do you normally worked with?

My clientele ranges from competitors to current/former military members, local law enforcement, young athletes, to “seasoned” citizens. It’s a mixed bag. One of my favorite clients is a 64-year-old woman who just happens to be my mom! She works out with me 3 days a week and is one of my most loyal customers.

What are you goals?

My goals entail building my clientele, gaining as much knowledge about the human body as possible to better my skills and abilities as a trainer, and to get my black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Eventually I’d love to open my own training facility that offers guidance across a broad range of interests and needs.

WP: Where do you train your clients? Do you train them in a gym, at home, or where?

I train them in a gym. I believe that part of the accountability process is that they need to get off their tails and come to me. I have found that through talking to them, they get distracted at home while working out and tend to cut corners. I used to try the in-home training method, but when I’d go to their homes the same distractions were present. As a result, I stopped doing that.

WP: Good Point! I hear you do some other exciting adventures while you are not training. Can you tell us about it?

Yes, and I’m a stuntman, as well. I have done fashion and fitness modeling in the past and have done repelling, gunfights, street-fight stunts for small films. I most recently was a stuntman for a war movie that is slated to come out this summer called “Souvenirs”.

WP: How does your training differ when you are doing stuntman work and modeling?

Honestly, it doesn’t. I eat contest clean all year round, with the exception of 1-2 cheats a week. The only difference is some Xpel and water deplete.

WP: What future projects do you have planned?

I’m currently working with health-related professionals to give my clients maximum benefits for the time they spend with me. I always have believed that if they come to me, they should have access to as many different paths and assistance as possible- from orthopedic surgeons to chiropractors to osteopaths, etc.

WP: You have to keep your clients motivated. What about you? What keeps fitness interesting to you?

I find myself a guinea pig for all the things that I learn. All the certifications I’ve ever had have been tested on me to see how they work and to see if I see/feel a difference. The fitness industry and supplementation available continue changing (and improving) as the years go by. The gluten and sugar-free movements are fantastic and a much easier sell to my clients now that it has become more main stream.

There’s an infinite amount of information out there about how to improve everything from posture to performance. That makes it really hard to get bored! There will always be someone out there who can teach me something new.

WP: Tell me something about yourself that no one else knows. It’s just between us, no one else will know. Ha-ha.

When I was 26 years old, I got ready for my first bodybuilding show (Mr. Minnesota) and got overzealous with the dehydration process. I ended up in the hospital with an IV, but dang, my veins looked cool!

WP: Bro, I bet that was a trip! Note: Do not try this at home. Ha-ha! How have you changed over the years?

Since I started, I think I’ve resolved to the fact that I will probably never know everything. I think many assume they know everything there is to know with their first certification. It is good for me to check my ego at the door and embrace the fact that this job will always require an open mind and willingness to learn.

WP: That is a great outlook. Any shout outs?

I’d like to thank my family; they have been my biggest support system for me.

Thank you to my fabulous clients for their loyalty and for trusting me with their health and fitness goals. It’s scary to share that with people sometimes and I sincerely appreciate their friendship and their business.

I’d like to thank everyone at the Minnesota Kali Group; I wouldn’t be the person I am today without you guys.

I would like to thank Guro Dan Inosanto, Dr. Ed Thomas, Sifu Rick Faye, Tom Oberhue, Anafit supplements, FMS, CHEK Institute, and last but not least, I’d like to thank my wonderful girlfriend, Abby, for her faith in me. She really believes in me and pushes me to go beyond my comfort zone. I can always count on her to give me a nudge in the right direction when I need it.

WP: Explain your personal workouts to me.

I have a standard bodybuilding-style workout schedule for myself, but I really try to mix in as many different kinds of movements and exercise as possible. I typically work out at 5 P.M., but in my afternoons, I have an hour or two (between my scheduled clients) where I will push the sleds, sprint, swing the ropes, swing the Indian clubs, swing the kettlebells, play on the rings, flip the tire, and hit the tire with the sledge hammer. Right now, I am focused on speed, power, and grip. I spent 2-3 hours per night training in Jiu Jitsu or Kali, as well as, instructing classes as scheduled.

WP: What is your diet?

Meat, veggies, fat, and then repeat. I cycle in carbs as needed, depending on my activity level, and schedule them in pre-workout. I don’t do artificial sweeteners, gluten, white flour, alcohol, or any refined sugars. I live how I preach!

WP: You should have stated this in the question where I asked you what sets you apart from other trainers. What a great answer. What were you like in high school?

I was a comical 6-foot, 160 pound class clown when I graduated from high school. I didn’t really belong to any “clique” but, I was liked by most everyone. I actually didn’t find that out until my 10 year reunion. That is kind of funny!

WP: What are your hobbies outside of fitness?

Again, I’m a huge martial artist. It’s a huge part of who I am and I don’t know where I’d be without the discipline and patience it’s taught me. I am a big time motorcycle enthusiast and it’s hard find me around town in the summertime on anything but my bike.

WP: What supplements do you take and why?

I take PureCee (Creatine Ethyl Ester) by Anafit, as well as their Beta-Alanine and Red Blast products. Those three products stacked together give me sick power and endurance when I lift. I also take Arginine, Glutamine, fish oil, flax oil, Alpha-lipoic acid, and BCAA’s. I need as much recovery-aiding supplements as possible, because I’m so active.

WP: Thank you for such a great interview. Anything you would like to mention before we close?

I’d like to thank World Physique for this opportunity and recognition. It feels good to know someone is out there noticing trainers at a local level. Thank you so much!

WP: It’s sad that other websites or magazines don’t do this as well. We feel Personal Trainers are the heart of this industry. We are honored to bring to light outstanding trainers for their hard work and dedication. Thank you and it's been a pleasure interviewing you!

Thank you for your time!