At a glance
Mike Manning is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, coach, and the owner of Black Iron Athletics in Frisco, TX. A wrestler and powerlifter in high school, he started personal training as a teenager and kept coaching through two combat tours overseas. He’s been coaching professionally since 2012 and holds certifications including USA Weightlifting Level 1, CrossFit Level 2, Certified Personal Trainer, and CrossFit Gymnastics.
After a decade running Black Iron as a CrossFit affiliate, Mike stepped away from the brand to sharpen the gym’s mission — helping everyday people find their identity as athletes through movement, nutrition, and community.
As head coach and programmer, Mike’s specialties are Olympic weightlifting and strength & conditioning programming. He believes the barbell is one of the most powerful tools for transforming not just the body but the mind — building discipline, resilience, and confidence that carry over into every area of life.
When he’s not coaching or writing the week’s programming, he’s home with his wife and two sons.
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