About Me
About Me
Grit with Wisdom Podcast
I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on the “Grit with Wisdom” podcast! The Mind Mountain (Jake Johnstone) is a local coach and podcaster in the sea to sky who shares a similar holistic and mindful approach as my own to professional mountain bike skills coaching
On this episode of Grit With Wisdom, we have Michael Sousa. Mike is a passionate Mountain Biker, Instructor, Guide, and Filmmaker based in Whistler, BC. After almost 20 years of honing his skills on the steep and technical trails of BC, he has dedicated the summer to learning air tricks on his mountain bike. As well as this personal exploration, Michael recently gained his Level 3 PMBIA coaching qualification which for those that aren’t aware, is the gold standard of Instructor training and no easy feat. He has also been part of numerous Filmmaking projects, perhaps most notable are the Dirt Diaries and VIMFF films in which he has featured as both an actor in front of the lens and a filmmaker capturing the action.
My coaching sessions offer a a proven technique of understanding and moving through mental barriers in particular and their association to defining rider potential. In working with clients of all abilities, we successfully coach through hurdles such as potent fears, injury history or phobias while building essential skills like critical decision making, position and stance, bicycle control operation and more adding therapeutic techniques that build trust and commitment and confidence.
Now working alongside industry leaders and prolific names in the mountain bike coaching world, I continue to progress my own level of riding as well as instruction, in turn offering a truly competitive coaching experience that is unique and powerful in taking clients to discover extraordinary new abilities!
With over a thousand laps at Whistler Bike Park and a near two decades of experience in the industry, I have spent immeasurable hours exploring and understanding mountain bike arts, culture and sport. From working in film, to international travel, to coaching, I aim to leave no stone unturned in my professional bike career. In more recent years, I have leaned into the coaching world developing a fascination and passion in welcoming others to mountain biking and assisting riders to reach their ultimate potential.
Level lll certified PMBI Mountain Bike Instructor
OFA Level lll First Aid Certified
AST Level 1 Avalanche safety certified
Youth coaching and Child Care expertise
Sports Psychology and Behavioural Specialist
Drone Operator
BC Class 4, 5 & 6 Driver’s License
Certified Whistler Sightseeing/History Tour Guide
Certified Snowmobile/ATV Tour Guide
Qualified by Canadian Autism Network
