About Coach Mike
Michael A. Wiggins – “Coach Mike”
Leadership Strategist | Certified Coach | Community Advocate
Founder, Progressive Traditions Leadership and Coaching
Who He Is
Michael A. Wiggins, known to many as “Coach Mike,” is Certified Coach, Trainer, and Speaker through the Maxwell Leadership Team. In 2022, he founded Progressive Traditions Leadership and Coaching (PTLC) to empower individuals and leaders through growth, clarity, and community.
With over 25 years of experience in leadership, coaching, and instructional design, Coach Mike is passionate about helping people grow into the leaders they were created to be.
My Story
At the age of 50, I found myself at a crossroads in the workforce. After years of building a career in the corporate world, everything changed. I had to start over completely, rebuilding a professional life from scratch. Instead of coasting toward retirement, I stepped into the unknown and became self-employed. That choice brought trials, troubles, and triumphs as I learned what it truly meant to walk the path of entrepreneurship.
I know firsthand the conflict of leaving behind one season of life and stepping into another. I know the challenge of rebuilding when the world says you should be winding down. I know the struggle of facing uncertainty, the pull of doubt, and the discipline it takes to keep going when everything feels new again.
And here is the most important part – I am not just telling you this as a story from the past. I am living it right now. I am still on this journey of reinvention. Every day I experience the lessons, the setbacks, and the victories that come with starting over.
That is why I am passionate about helping others who find themselves at their own crossroads. My mission is to guide you through your transition, to help you rise above the setbacks, and to walk with you as you grow into the best version of yourself. Because if I can rebuild and thrive, so can you.
"You can have everything in life you want if you just help enough other people get what they want." - Zig Ziglar
Family First
Beyond the titles and experience, Coach Mike’s greatest joy is his family. He and his wife, Monique, are the proud parents of three daughters and the proud grandparents of two amazing grandchildren.
Family is at the center of his leadership philosophy. The same principles that build strong leaders also build strong families and communities.
“Strong leaders are built the same way strong families are - with love, trust, and consistency.”
What He Does
Coach Mike equips individuals, teams, and organizations with the tools to lead effectively and grow intentionally. His focus is on providing progressive solutions to real leadership challenges through clarity, consistency, and purpose-driven action. Coach Mike:
- Provides coaching and strategic leadership training for organizations across the country.
- Facilitates engaging workshops and courses for students and young adults.
- Helps leaders at every level solve problems, clarify direction, and lead with purpose.
- Delivers forward-thinking strategies that support sustainable growth and measurable impact.
Leadership isn’t about doing more. It’s about becoming more – and solving what others avoid.
Community Impact & Advocacy
Coach Mike is deeply committed to mentorship and civic engagement. He:
- Serves as Board President of the Prince Hall Charity Foundation of NJ
- Sits on the Camden County College Advisory Committee
- Partners with elected officials and nonprofit leaders across NJ to expand opportunity and access for underserved communities
Fraternal Leadership
As a proud Prince Hall Mason, Coach Mike served as the 91st Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of New Jersey from 2021 to 2023, leading nearly 5,000 members. His F.I.R.S.T. framework: Financial, Intellectual, Resourceful, Spiritual Teachers - became a statewide leadership blueprint for service, stability, and legacy.
Why It Matters
Whether in the classroom, the boardroom, or the community, Coach Mike brings intention, integrity, and insight. Every interaction, whether through coaching, speaking, or mentoring, is designed to leave others informed, inspired, and equipped to lead at their next level.