Mike Passenier: "I do the workshops to enlighten people."
Mike Passenier, world-class trainer who worked with the likes of Badr Hari, Melvin Manhoef, Paul "Semtex" Daley and many others, is coming to Slovenia in March and will be hosting a workshop prior to Challengers 4 event.
But one of all time greatest coaches had a career prior to martial arts business. He was working in a gambling casino as a manager where some of his future partners applied for a job. "Gilbert Ballentine his brother Stuart and Dylan Gravenberg applied for a job at the casino, one thing lead to another and we ended up training together. When Gilbert started teaching in the east-side of Amsterdam he asked me to help him and soon I was teaching all the classes," Mr. Passenier unveiled how his career took off.
He believes that hard work and self-beliefe in what you do pays off and that is also how he's conducting his business. He upgraded his skills throughout the years by self-teaching and watching a lot of fights and clinics on the internet.
Mike's Gym, world famous for its protégées has curently 53 on and off fighters. It can be a tough task to supervise all of them, but Mr. Passenier likes to have everything and everyone under control. " I have a select group of people who I work with. They all must work in the same system. And yes, I supervise."
As in every gym, fighters come and go. Currently there are 21 loyal fighters that train at Mike's Gym in Amsterdam. But it was never Passenier's idea to steal fighters from other trainers. "I never ask a fighter to join my gym. I think no trainer in the world should do that. Either you join or you don't. We have a lot of skilled fighters and a couple of world-class, perhaps the best fighters in the world. But if you are willing and want to go to the next level you are always welcome."
When you train superstars like Hari and Manhoef who took every single title there is in the world of kickboxing, you have to be something more than just a trainer. Mr. Passenier had seen it all, Championship titles and defeats of his protégées and there is one thing that sticks out when you ask him what distinguishes good coach from a great one. "On the top level it's the detail that makes the difference. I think the most important skill that you have to possess as a trainer is just to be there for your fighter and set his mind at ease."
Hari is currently having some personal problems, Manhoef is not getting younger as days pass by. But Mike Passenier keeps on doing what he knows best and that is training new superstars. " Murthel Groenhart is the new K-1 max superstar as I was saying for a couple of years now. But the new stars for the future are going to be: Maik Redan, Massaro Glunder, Ferhat and Mellony Geugjes," stated Passenier.
As you already probably know, Mike Passenier is coming to Slovenia where he'll do a workshop on the same day as Challengers 4 will be held. On 16th March you'll have the unique oppurtunity to atend a workshop of one of the best trainers in the world.
"I do the workshops to enlighten people. Sometimes they have some difficulties that can easely be solved. If I can help them why not."
''You can expect a good and balanced workout with some different techniques that can simplify your game and gives you a look on the game from a different angle."
Amateur and professional fighters, as well as Martial Arts instructors and trainers, are welcome to attend WFC® Workshop – Best of martial arts by Mike Passenier in Litija on 16th March at 10 AM. Remember, we offer you discount until 20.2.2013 so submit your application at info@wfc.si and book your ticket.