Pete Ciccone - CEO of 619 Muscle (San Diego's Contest Prep Team)

I have been lucky enough to work closely with Mike for the past several years, on his quest to improve his body. During his journey, I've watched Mike's drive and dedication, as he's worked hard to set himself apart from his peers and fellow athletes. Mike has exhibited passion, drive and the will to be the best, setting lofty goals and following without wavering, the proven paths to success. I have watched over his drive to win the World Powerlifting Championships which he succeeded in 2007, I watched as he then chose a goal of a different direction to conquer - in 2008; he conquered the World Fitness Championships, by placing in the top tier of his peers. And in 2009, Mike set his goal, and conquered the sport of bodybuilding by winning his class at the NPC Border States Championships. Mike is a skilled, determined and successful athlete, with talents in several disciplines, and a genuine love for the lifestyle of health and living strong and lean. He is inspiring to those around him, and to me.

Aubrey

"Mike is amazing! I originally reached out for maintenance purposes; I noticed that as I got older, my body started changing—I didn’t feel as youthful and energized as I once did. I’ve never had an official trainer before, so to say I was nervous was an understatement. During our first session Mike right away put me at ease. He’s relatable and provides words of encouragement throughout. He explains each workout in full detail—for optimal results, as well as breathing techniques. His workouts are challenging (now I know why his client’s hate leg day!) Mike also answered all of my questions and created an individualized nutritional plan based on my weight and goals. I may not be able to commit to seeing Mike as often as I’d like due to my work schedule, so when I attend the gym solo, I feel confident in my technique and know that Mike is just a phone call away. Thanks to Mike, I’ve changed my mindset on weight lifting and plan on keeping it as part of my wellness regimen."

Kevin T.

Training with Mike has been an eye opening experience. I have been training for several years and managed to stay fairly fit. However, gaining more size and strength was always a tough process until I decided to work with Mike. Within a 6 months of training with him, I was able to increase my bench press from 175 pounds to 285 pounds with much better technique. I have also added a little over 20 pounds of lean muscle which I never thought was possible to do. Thanks to Mikes' training, his nutrition plan and supplements (which I also use everyday)- I now believe there are no limits to what a person can achieve with the right program "

Lianna L.

"There's SO MUCH to say about Mike and his training programs! I recently went through a difficult season in my life and I couldn't seem to be consistent with my workout regime or healthy eating habits. So I decided to reach out to Mike on IG to try his Shred Program because I saw a few of my girlfriends doing it and they looked AMAZING. I not only committed to his nutrition program, but he also encouraged me to try his workout program and the combination of both were exactly what I needed. Honestly, I've been doing fitness programs for 8 years and his is definitely one to spice up your routine and reset your body. I wasn't wanting to lose any weight, but I ended up losing 6 lbs and it looked gooood. I just felt tight and solid! I still use his nutrition program today and I use his workout routine in the mix of my other programs that I rotate between! Throughout my entire experience, Mike has been extremely helpful and encouraging! His wealth of knowledge absolutely has been one of my key resources. Not to mention, he basically helped convert the program to cater to my veganism! Thank you, Mike!!"

Phuong

"Hands down, Mike is an incredible personal trainer! He is extremely knowledgeable in his field as he is a Certified Professional Trainer, a Certified Nutritionist, a Certified Weight Management Specialist, and a Certified Sports Injury Rehab Specialist. In a nutshell, Mike has all of his grounds covered to help his clients meet their fitness goals, thus making him an incredible personal trainer! In my past 4 years of my fitness journey, I have tried multiple fad diets and exercise programs in my attempts to lose weight and to become a healthier me. I would experience weight loss but the problem was that it wasn't sustainable as I always ended up where I left off or gaining more. Through this all, I have wasted countless money and time until I was introduced to Mike through a friend. Fitness success is a combination of both exercise and nutrition.

Brian Barbosa

I was introduced to Mike and the MFN Community a little over a year ago. I was given a one day session with him as a gift and I can honestly say it's one of the best gifts and introductions I have ever had. Mike alone is a mountain of positivity and knowledge. In the month that I have spent with him so far in 1 on 1 sessions, he has forced so much change in my body and mind that I feel like an overall better person. When I started working with him as my personal trainer, he said one thing that gave me a huge amount of hope: "Brian, it's not just your goal anymore. You don't have to do it alone. It's OUR goal and I'm going to help you get there." To be honest, I have trained on and off for years, and I've never been a small dude, and in the short amount of time I've been working with Mike, I feel the best out of all those years combined right now. He will literally unlock your potential, and I can't wait to see myself when we are done. I have no doubt I will be coming back for more. Outside of this, It was beautiful to see that he has his own facilities that he trains out of, he has an amazing team of positive and fun assistant coaches that help him with classes and sessions, and literally everyone that I've met, whether it's the coaches or other team members, and just members themselves, EVERYONE is awesome and positive. Mike and the MFN Community. I couldn't recommend anyone better to help you make changes for yourself..

Jeremy.

3 years ago, I was in a fork lift accident that placed me in the hospital for over 40 days. After 14 surgeries, 2 of which were amputation procedures, I was left with half of a foot and my life dreams in shambles. I was in the best physical shape of my life and running 20 + miles a week. For two years I battled with the thoughts of getting back into shape again. I really didn’t know who or what to turn to. Fortunately, I was able to eventually get in contact with Mike Nguyen.

I remember Mike back when we went to the same high school many years ago. He was the kind of guy that you wanted to be; Funny, muscular, strong and humble. I remember how much I admired his superhuman strengths. I wanted to be that way one day. I knew that if anyone, this was the person that would help me become strong again and tap into my true physical potential. I picked up the phone one evening and explained to Mike my situation. I told him what I wanted to achieve and explained to him my physical concerns. He simply said, “No problem. We can make this work for you”

The first 3 sessions with Mike were very intense. I did not expect to be thrown into such a tough workout. Mike had warned me that the sessions would be challenging and would test my perseverance and determination to succeed. Mike doesn’t scream or yell at you which many trainers do. He has a way of tapping into your soul and giving you that extra motivational push you need to get through the really intense stuff. You can’t help but appreciate and value his coaching abilities and soon you find yourself achieving extraordinary things. In just 4 weeks, I had achieved more personal records than I had ever before. My proudest achievement was leg pressing over 600 lbs. which is something I had never done, even before my accident. I attest this accomplishment to Mike’s coaching.

Mike has introduced me to a world of potential that I had never known existed. He has tapped into my capabilities and has shown me that even my own physical restrictions can’t stop me from achieving what I want. I will continue to train with him not only because I know he will help me achieve my goals, but because I want to be around an inspiring individual who commits himself entirely to the success of others. I want to continue to be inspired and motivated by his coaching through his training. I know that this will not only help me achieve my physical ambitions, but continuing my training with Mike will make me a better person overall. Don’t just take my word on his excellence. If wanting to achieve your true physical potentials is your dream, then Mike is the person to talk to. I can assure you that you won’t find anyone like him. I know I never will .

Sandra

I've never really been one that was into working out or watch what I eat. As I was getting older I realized that all that I was eating was catching up to me. I gained a lot of weight. I've hit the weight that I told my self I never want to be at. Not only because it didn't make me feel good about myself, but it was very unhealthy. So my sister and I decided to sign up with Mike.( THE BEST DECISION EVER). He was very patient and always there to motivate us! He provided a meal plan that was easy to follow & healthy! Working out with him was hard, he pushed me out of my comfort zone, body was aching, legs were dead, but it was so fun and all worth it. He really helped me get a jump start on this new journey & lifestyle. I recommend him to all my friends & family.

Aya

I used to only do cardio, but then I began to train with Mike. At first I was a bit hesitant because I was intimidated by the idea of weight lifting. Mike helped me get out of my comfort zone and taught me the value of weight lifting. I admit, training with Mike can be very intense, but nothing compares to seeing progress after awhile. I never would have image myself to be where I am at today, a stronger and confident person in weight lifting, and I thank Mike for it!"

Jessica L

I sustained an injury rock climbing and realized I needed to strengthen my body and fix a few nagging injuries before returning to climbing. My boyfriend had been training with Mike for a few years and introduced me to him. After speaking with Mike and letting him know about my goals and injuries, he immediately developed a plan to strengthen and work around my injuries to get me back to climbing. I knew I was in good hands. Mike holds five certifications with one of them being in sports injury rehab. His knowledge and experience in fitness are unmatched. I have trained with Mike for about a year and a half and my nagging injuries are gone. I have become stronger than ever before. In that time, I have learned so much about nutrition and general health. I now include strength and conditioning weekly for general health. As other reviews have mentioned, its not only Mike that will help you through your journey. Mike has a wonderful team of coaches, clients, and community that support you along the way. You will never be alone in your journey! If you are ready to make a fundamental change to your life, this is the place to start.

Kim

"My name is Kim, I've been training with Mike for 5 months now. My journey all started because I've always wanted to do an NPC competition and the timing seemed to be right in my personal life. Let it be known, my four siblings have been training with Mike prior for years and that's all they talked about when we had family dinners. Although I was always interested, I was also very naive. In my personal opinion at the time, I always considered myself 'very active'. I was a runner, on average I ran about 20 miles a week if not more. It was for mental release and also because that's all I knew. In the past, I've gained weight, I went up 3 pant sizes in high school and even at that point I didn't have any glutes and I just accepted the idea that it was impossible because I was Asian. So I stuck with what I knew, which was to be lean. Through this competition journey which could be very ugly and very self destructive, I questioned everything but choosing Mike was never one of them. I've never felt more like myself than I do now. He goes above and beyond the definition of a trainer, he genuinely cares about each and every one of us. He's incredibly educated and everything with him is customized. From meal plans to training plans, our bodies all work differently and if you give him the time, he'll be more than happy to go over every detail with you. (Every detail. Lol) Month to month, I've seen changes in my body, body parts I've never seen my whole life. I've hit weights that others not even myself thought I was capable of doing and it was all done in such a positive environment. I've experienced first hand how it feels to have him as my trainer and have a separate prep coach and I can honestly tell you, Mike has been more of my coach than anything. He's right there, encouraging you and when you fall or make a mistake, he keeps you focused on the right things. I was able to gain more mass than most people thought was possible in the time frame I had given myself and it was all done in the right way. It wasn't just for physical appearance, all of it was for long term changes and developing healthy habits. Anyone can alter the same diet plan or workout plan but if you want to make real changes, he knows exactly what machines to use to maximize every workout, how much fats and carbs you need to intake and so on. I conditioned myself in the past to stay away from certain foods on a daily basis but who would've known that was all working against me. I've really came to appreciate the process of learning what works and what doesn't for my body and to be honest to myself. There's not enough words to say how much I appreciate Mike, his style, his patience, his knowledge. He's definitely one of the rare real trainers still out there and it was one of the best things I've ever invested in for myself.

Messiah

" I had the pleasure of training with Mike for 4 weeks to kick-start my personal commitment to losing body fat and developing a healthy lifestyle. In only a matter of weeks, I acquired new, vast knowledge on nutrition and weight training. On top of body fat I lost, I also regained strength in my knees that weakened from preceding injuries and surgeries. Initially, I apprised Mike of my fitness goals, despite my knee injuries. Right off the bat, he informed me of the strategic plans to train me with my injuries in the healthiest way, and sincerely expressed his support in helping me achieve my fitness goals. I loved the personalized nutrition plan because it worked well with my busy life as a student. The nutrition plan was well-articulated, which made it easier to follow and even understand why it will work when followed efficiently with the workouts. Every workout session with Mike challenged me and pushed me, but it was never too much. I always learned something new each session. Mike is an incredible, distinctive trainer that genuinely cares for one's physical wellness. From all the insightful answers concerning fitness-related questions to all the texts messages before/after workouts just to check in, one could see that about him. Although it's been a while since I trained with Mike, I still apply a lot of the knowledge I procured from him and his nutrition plan to this day as I continue on my fitness journey.

Danphy

I'm not gonna lie I was very nervous and intimidated to start working out with Mike. I've never been much of an active person and had very little to no experience on working out. However, Mike is literally the best personal trainer! He's very knowledgeable and answers any questions I have. He's a great motivator but very respectable at the same time. I came into this thinking I was going to have a drill sergeant yelling in my ear but I was completely wrong. He knows exactly how to get you to where you want to be while making you feel comfortable. I can definitely see a difference in my strength compared to when I first started. I'm glad I started working out with him and I'm going to continue to do this until I GET RIPPED!!!"

Randy

Mike has gone above and beyond for me! He's the best! He's extremely knowledgeable about everything required for a healthy lifestyle - fitness, diet, supplements, you name it! I've been able to workout with Mike for a few months, and I've already dropped over 20 lbs through constant workouts at this gym (personal training sessions and open gym opportunities) and by following the personalized diet plan he created for me based on my goals, current fitness level, and daily lifestyle. I cannot say enough good things about this gym and Mike overall. The gym has everything you could need to have any intensity workout you could dream of, and Mike will be sure to develop a workout to train you harder than you ever have before. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would! Thanks Mike!.

Clarissa

"Hi my name is Clarissa. I am a registered nurse and I have known mike for about a year now. I started working with him at the end of 2019 through January 2020, and reached out again earlier this month for another several sessions. First and foremost, I must point out Mike's passion and knowledge for health and fitness. The amount of work he puts into developing his own knowledge and disseminating that information to his clients in a way that they can understand is a talent that many wish to have in a fitness coach. One of the very unique things I admire about about Mike and his company is their passion for providing their clients with the tools to maintain a sustainable lifestyle and their strong advocacy for mental health and healthcare providers. These things coupled with his passion for fitness are invaluable in helping his clients reach their goals. Training sessions are private and quite isolated, leaving you with all the equipment you would ever need to get a good workout in! The movements are thoughtful, and make sense as his program accommodates to your personal needs. His positive attitude encourages his clients to really push themselves during each and every session. Using his in-depth knowledge on balance, progressive overload, and cutting, the individualized programs that Mike provides for each of his clients are tailored specifically to each person. I definitely recommend that ANYONE interested in improving their health in a balanced, sustainable way should reach out to Mike and his company! He is awesome! And his team is great! ps. their supplement product line is amazinggggg. Their Greens powder and their collagen powder are some of my favorite products from the Mikefit website!!!!!!.

Nicolette

" Have been loving my experience working out with mike! I've never seen myself working out with a personal trainer before but i'm so glad I tried it out! Mike will push you to try your hardest but will also be patient when you need it. Training with Mike has been great and i've never felt stronger!!.

Mitchel

I have been holding back on writing a review for Mike because I wanted to make sure I gave him the true credit he deserved and needed some time but it's been long enough. I want to start out by saying that I have had many battles in my life they have contributed to weight fluctuations of 40 lbs or more. I have tried many different diets and exercise programs. Each one brought different amounts of results. The only thing is they didn't last because I was either starving myself or doing so much cardio that I lost the weight but had extra skin so it didn't look too good. I always ended up back where i started or even bigger. I was introduced to Mike from my sister in law because she kept talking about this guy she was training with that was really smart and nice. More than anything I started seeing real results because she would come over weekly to watch my kids and ended up losing 25 lbs and keeping it off. Finally I asked her for his number. He had me answer a couple questions and wanted to known my goals. My wife also let him know her goals too and we started at the same time.

Wayne

"I worked with Mike during the length of one summer and achieved great results from his fitness program. Over the span of 3 months I was able to lose fat and gained a lot of muscle at the same time. Mike is an energetic and knowledgeable trainer that will take the extra time to research and understand each person's individual goals and tailor unique workout routines accordingly. Mike's hard work and passion for fitness is quite apparent at first glance at his ridiculously muscular build. I would highly recommend Mike to anyone who takes their fitness and health seriously."

Marc

I've been through 3 months worth of personal training sessions from Mike and he has pushed me to give more than 100% every time. On top of those intense workouts, he gave me a nutrition plan that helped my body show results and feel better within two weeks. After training, it is usually hard to stay on track, but the info you gain from Mike sticks with you in order to stay fit and have a healthy lifestyle. There are plenty of trainers out there, but Mike is the only one I trust. I still work with him till this day through his online coaching program to stay in my best shape at all times.

Nancy

I'm 29; I'm an avid Pinterester and Groupon crazy--always up for something new and fun, especially when it came to health & fitness. I am a subscriber to Women's Fitness Magazine. BUT like most people: I work way too much, don't sleep enough, and always end up eating fast food and quick snacks. The real turning point came when my weight gain wasn't just "happy weight" anymore, I couldn't blame it on my boyfriend, it was me, my schedule and my habits. It was the wedding day of my wonderful, beautiful cousin; my crash diet didn't seem to change the fact that I was still "the fat bridesmaid". I didn't even want to look at any of the pictures I was scared to see myself in. Something had to change. No more excuses, no more trying all these random ways of losing weight.

A WALKING HEALTH ENCYCLOPEDIA: Right off the bat I asked Mike a million questions, with all my magazines, internet resources, Dr. Oz episodes, I was on information overload--I needed to filter and focus on what was best/work for me. I asked him everything and anything, instead of getting annoyed or giving me a general cookie-cutter answer I'd get from Google, he answered every question and inquiry precisely, thoroughly, mindfully, and with much detail; he would even send me articles to follow-up on. I STILL get amazed of all the things he knows! ; From cures for aches & health fallacies, to bathroom habits and whether to go clubbing or not. It's one thing to want to be healthy, but another to understand it, break it down, practice, and live it--and Mike is definitely the perfect guide.

PERSONAL TRAINING: I have had two trainers in the past: they pushed me, showed me around the gym, and recorded my weight and body fat percentage--it felt good, it was helpful, but it wasn't much more than what I could have simply done on my own. Mike, however, broke every perspective I had and showed me what I had been missing (and overpaying for), he puts the personal back into 'personal trainer'. As you exercise he examines your movements, he looks closely at your reactions, and he carefully plans for the next sequence of exercises.

MORE THAN A NUMBER: I can't thank Mike enough, over and over, and repeatedly as many ways as possible for everything he has given me. My sense of hope in month 1, my energy and the feeling that I could conquer anything that came my way in month 2, and giving me my confidence and honest sense of strength inside and out in month 3. Somewhere along the way, it wasn't about the scale anymore; or the skinny jeans, or the bragging rights. Yes, it felt damn good going shopping for the first time in a long time and not feeling like climbing into a hole afterwards, but with everything I've learned, I will know and practice for the rest of my life, for me and my body. I am fit, and I am healthy. I FEEL beautiful again, and it’s priceless.

MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE ALWAYS ASKING ABOUT MIKE: No, he does not yell at you and he doesn't push you into pain; he pushes you just enough to get you to change and become your best. Some people say they just don’t have the time to work out, but you really do if you want it enough. There were days I'd get off from a 13 hour day and the LAST thing I wanted to do was go to the gym, I would come up with as many excuses as I could in my mind not to go, but I would end up going anyways and I NEVER regretted it because I always left feeling great after our sessions. Every workout made me feel strong and accomplished. Thanks to Mike, this is only the beginning of the changes I see and feel, and I love it!

Robin

"Mike is nicknamed "Superman" for a reason. Not only does he have strength and intelligence, he has always been a savior for my workouts. With his excellent supplement and nutrition suggestions, I am no longer wasting money and time with all the unneeded guess work! I enjoy training with Mike because he really pushes me during the workouts. I feel like a machine thanks to Mike!

Julie

I came in with the mindset that I was pretty fit already but boy was I wrong… Mike has helped me improve myself more than I ever thought possible. The workouts are insanely INTENSE and man the technique and form matters so much in order to get the right results; nutrition plan was SUPER easy to follow making it better for my body to adapt and transform at a quicker rate. Never did it cross my mind that I could have a toner body and build greater strength within this short amount of time. During the workout sessions you not only receive a great workout but you absorb so much knowledge that he has to offer. Mike has changed my perspective on weight training and taught me how to maintain a healthy lifestyle that will keep me staying fit. Thanks for everything Mike!

Rachel

Mike has helped me reach my fitness goal I've been dreaming for a long time! I've never worked so hard and had such wonderful results in a short amount of time. 8 weeks to be exact. I hate him when we're working out, but after seeing my results, I love him to death. Thanks Mike!.

Brian D.

My workouts with Mike has completely changed the way I thought about training. I saw more results in 3 months than I did training on my own the past 7 years. I've set new personal records in all my lifts and also made drastic improvements to my entire body. Definitely, some of the most intense sessions to go through but also well worth it if you're serious about taking your training to the next level."

Michael

"Training with mike has been one of the toughest, but most beneficial things I have ever done to better improve myself physically and mentally. Mike's sense of knowledge and understanding of fitness has transformed my body into something I never knew was possible. Even though some workouts may be intense, his presence and supportiveness pushed me to work harder and to even exceed my own limitations. As a client, I can honestly say that Mike is very supportive when it comes to answering questions and made workouts safe and exciting to do. Thanks for guiding me through a life changing experience and opening my mind to a healthier lifestyle!"

Bryan P.

"I have trained with Mike on and off for several years now. I started at 118 pounds and have built myself up to a lean body weight of 134 pounds. Mike has shown me how to train at my full potential and the results I’ve seen has been more than I can imagine. Thanks to Mike, I have become much stronger and bigger with plans to compete in my first bodybuilding competition. "

Danpha

Mike is the BEST trainer! He has a wide assortment of a supplements, from vegan protein powder to multi-vitamins! I started working with him years ago and what I really appreciate is that he actually listens to you. I have a few aches and pains that make several exercises difficult. He always goes above and beyond to try and accommodate it! I love that he is very motivating and kind. He isn't the type to scream at you to finish the set or anything. He is super knowledgeable on nutrition and is always up to speed on the newest fad diets. Mike is the best, you won't regret working with him!

Aly

I've been working with Mike for over a year now and honestly it has been a journey! Each session, he pushes you to advance and reach new goals -- I am constantly surprised at how much stronger and energized I am compared to our very first sessions. His background and experience in the many domains of the fitness world has helped him to approach many different clients and their challenges. He truly cares for his clients. He takes account of his clients' fitness and life goals as well as their challenges outside the gym and does his best to set them up for success. Mike has a very genuine, positive presence and seeks the best in his clients. I walk in feeling the weight of work/life stress, but walk out more motivated (and sore) than ever. You can also feel this energy through the MFN community he's created. Everyone I've met at Mike's gym are the most focused and supportive people I've encountered. Lastly, Mike is always one to share his knowledge in any means possible -- from teaching bodybuilding poses in front of the mirror to explaining how you can optimize my nutrition for recovery this weekend. I highly recommend working with Mike if you are open to stepping new steps in your fitness and health!