Experience, Knowledge, & Commitment

These three guiding principles are the pillars upon which MSN Pro Coaching was created.

They built the foundation that Mike Norton, MS, CSCS, President, first used in his own professional cycling career and again today as he guides others through his professional coaching services. It was these three pillars that allowed Mike to sculpt his raw talent into a professional cycling career that spanned the globe and brought him toe-to-toe with the very best in the world. Through years of blood, sweat, and tears, Mike learned what it takes to succeed at the highest level of sport. Now in his post-cycling career as a coach, it has been this same drive and pursuit of excellence that has pushed Mike to back up his experience in the field with education and certification in the classroom.

The result is a coaching service unlike any other in the industry; one that combines world-class experience with distinguished education, knowledge, and accreditation. Welcome to MSN Pro Coaching, where professional grade coaching is no longer just for the pros.

Mike Norton, MS, CSCS

Mike Norton pushing hard on bike dirt track race.

Cycling Career

  • Career Pro Cyclist with 20+ Years Racing Experience
  • 2-Time US National Championships Medalist
  • Former New York State Champion
  • Former New England Regional Champion
  • Raced Extensively in North America, South America, Europe, and Caribbean
  • Raced Professional on the Road
  • Cat 1 Elite Level in Track, Cycle-Cross, MTB
  • 20+ Years Experience with Power Meter Devices

Education

  • M.S. in Exercise Physiology
  • B.S. in Athletic Management
Mike Norton crossing finish line for the win.

Coaching Successes

  • Coaching Professionally since 2001
  • Worked with hundreds of athletes
  • Guided Athletes to:
    • Professional Careers
    • World Championships
    • Pan American Championships
    • National Championships
    • State Championships
    • Numerous Wins
    • International Success
    • Accomplishing Life Goals

Certifications

  • USA Cycling Certified Coach Level I with Distinction
  • USA Cycling Certified Power Based Training Coach
  • NSCA: Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist
  • BikeFit Certified Foot/Pedal Interface Professional Bicycle Fitter
  • Your Body in the World: Human Biology Department, Stanford University
  • Safe Sport Certified
  • CPR/AED Certified
  • WADA Certified
  • Moxy Academy Certified
Mike Norton indoor cycling around the velodrome

Experience

Mike’s racing career took him around the world, competing professionally in Europe, North America, South America, and the Caribbean, taking part in everything from international road stage races to professional six-day track events.

During these years Mike witnessed first-hand the training principles utilized by the world’s best riders and teams. He was personally trained by many legendary coaches in the sport, resulting in numerous victories and podiums for his teams. A multi-time medalist at the US National Championships on both the road and the track, Mike retired in 2009 ranked within the top-15 for American professional cyclists.

Over the course of 15 years, Mike has coached numerous athletes to success in a variety of sports and disciplines, from road and track cycling, to mountain bike and cyclocross, Ironman triathlon, even trail running and duathlon. Mike has worked with all levels and abilities and brings the same tenacity and attention to detail when it comes to helping his athletes achieve their goals.

Coach Mike Norton training client on stationary bike

Education

Not content with experience alone, Mike turned to the classroom in his post-cycling career in order to back up his years in the professional peloton with scientific knowledge, education, and certification.

He holds a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology as well as a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Management, giving him a deep understanding of the sports science end of the sport, including such aspects as Cardiovascular Efficiency, Metabolic Energy Systems, Force Production, Human Biology, Chemistry, Periodization for the Athlete, Advanced Sports Nutrition, Sports Psychology, Sports Marketing Management, Sports Media/Business Communication Relations, and Human Physiology.

When it comes to technology, Mike’s mastery of data modeling and analysis means he’ll be able to help you understand and define your potential.

Certification is another area that Mike looks to enhance his coaching craft.  Thus far, he has obtained his Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certification (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Level I Coaching and Power Based Training Coach from USA Cycling, and Biomechanics of Bicycle Fitting from BikeFit.  He continues to pursue more including ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist and Certified International Society of Sport Nutrition CISSN from International Society of Sport Nutrition (ISSN).

Having used power-meters since the 1990’s, Mike has gone on to build hundreds of data points to dive deeper into the understanding of your performance historical training background and allow for scientific prediction of the future.

All of this has led to a multi-faceted approach that brings the full spectrum of the athlete’s life into Mike’s coaching focus. He combines the power- and heart rate-based training programs that specifically pinpoint the unique physiological strengths and weaknesses of each individual athlete, along with a focus on diet and sleep quality to ensure proper recovery and balance. Mike’s education and understanding of sports psychology brings a third dimension into the fold, allowing him to tailor each athlete’s program to his or her specific work/life balance; because at the end of the day, the mind controls the body.

Commitment

At MSN Pro Coaching, professional-grade coaching is not just for the pros. Mike brings the same level of detail, passion, and commitment that was previously reserved only for elite professionals to every athlete he coaches.

Mike’s passion and drive for excellence keep him on the phone for as long as necessary with the athlete struggling to balance life stresses or outside factors with sport. He’s out motor-pacing on cold mornings for three hours a day, all week, in order to give another athlete the perfect prep for their upcoming cyclocross nationals. He continues to attend coaching seminars and sports science lectures nationwide in order to keep himself at the cutting-edge of the sport and hold the highest certifications. All of this to enable him to optimize peak performance potential of the human body, your human body.

At MSN Pro Coaching, professional-grade coaching is not just for the pros.

Mike Norton pro cyclist coach wider profile image

The athlete-coach relationship is a delicate balance, and is as much an art as a science. Mike understands when to lead and when to listen. His commitment to and passion for his athletes allows him to gain an understanding of the unique needs and differing goals of each individual. By gaining an understanding of your unique lifestyle and personality, Mike is adept at tailoring a custom program to perfectly fit each individual athlete, their circumstances, time constraints, and unique challenges.

Currently, Mike is the resident exercise physiologist at some of the nation’s most prestigious training centers, while directly coaching Olympic, professional, and elite athletes across the globe.

Above all, Mike understands that this is a lifestyle, not just a sport. Simple enjoyment and pure passion must be the driving factors behind achieving any goal, no matter how big or small. If you’re looking to bring your game to the next level, you owe it to yourself to train with the very best.