Michael O’Brien, Biography

Michael O’Brien helps sales and marketing leaders who are juggling it all slay the internal feelings of worry and doubt so they can accomplish complete success.

Before starting his executive coaching firm, Peloton Coaching and Consulting, Michael spent over two decades in the pharmaceutical/bio industry in roles that ranged from sales to marketing to executive leadership.

He is also lucky to be alive. On July 11th, 2001, he was struck head-on by a speeding SUV while out on a training bike ride. He considers it his last bad day and shares his journey from being a human doer to a human being in his best-selling memoir, Shift: Creating Better Tomorrows and donates all the proceeds to the World Bicycle Relief.

Finally, Michael is an active volunteer and corporate sponsor for the Healthcare Business Women’s Association and an advocate for gender parity. He lives in Bergen County, NJ with his wife, two daughters, three dogs and Rosie the cat.

Follow Michael on LinkedIn, Twitter  or on his website: www.michaelobrienshift.com/

Michael’s Secret to Success 

Links to References Discussed

Shift: Creating Better Tomorrows: Winning at Work and in Life

Tour de France

Greg LeMond

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation

International Coach Federation

David Kolb

Peloton Coaching

Peloton Cycles

Seth Golden

World Bicycle Relief

Evernote

Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection by Sharon Salzberg

Check out Michael’s Book! 

Question for the audience:

What was the biggest takeaway from this interview that will HELP YOU SUCCEED?  

Share your thoughts in the comments below, or on social media.

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Show Notes

• 1:27 Michael’s intro & background in the Pharma industry


• 4:43 How to get foot in the door without experience


• 6:16 Finding the love of cycling


• 7:30 Resilience in sport & in business


• 8:31 Sticking long term in the same company


• 9:25 Getting downsizing, and diversifying your resume


• 12:20 Resigning from a company, or moving within


• 15:10 Chasing happening – status, money, titles vs being present


• 17:05 Challenge for those growing within an organization


• 19:15 Set up vs execution of the plan


• 20:40 Michael’s accident, & his last bad day


• 24:52 Changing your mindset to achieve what you want


• 29:57 Creating better tomorrows


• 30:30 PBR = Pause, Breath & Reflect


• 31:40 Perspective, and Tony’s last day bad


• 35:48 Motivating the challenged, challenging the motivated


• 37:30 “Bonking” and what it means in cycling & life


• 39:39 How learning about bonking, helps thru rehab


• 45:45 Sports, hobbies & discipline


• 46:35 Making decisions on downsizings


• 50:20 Finding & using a coach to help your success


• 51:28 “Gets lonely at the top”; why coaching matters for leaders


• 54:30 Peloton – how teams are better together


• 57:27 Stepping away from a long career, & starting your own business


• 1:01:58 inspiration for writing the book “Shift”


• 1:06:14 What success means to Michael


• 1:09:19 Rapid Fire Questions
  
  
  
  • Early or evening workout
  
  
  • A habit that you’ve changed that makes a big impact
  
  
  • Favorite tool or smart phone app
  
  
  • Filtering thru the noise
  
  
  • What’s a book that you recommend
  
  
  
  


• 1:15:50 What’s your one key to success