Personal trainer Mikal Settle knows how to make gains. See his lessons on entrepreneurship below.
Writer: Hailey Evans
Photos: Duane Tinkey
Mikal Blaise Settle loves the hustle — literally, when he’s training cardio, and figuratively, when he pursues his entrepreneurial endeavors. (He also loves the rapper Nipsey Hussle.)
At 28, he’s built a successful brand from a personal passion for fitness. Blaise Training Never Settle, a mashup of his middle and last names, is based on his philosophy to “blaze your own path and ignite your own fire, never settle for less, and always be learning and cultivating abundance.” Under the brand, he sells his own line of athletic wear and offers personal training.
As many other entrepreneurs will tell you, it can be tough to overcome roadblocks when you’re running a business yourself. There’s always something else that needs doing but never enough time to do it. But ever since launching the brand in 2020, Settle has learned that his growth mindset in the gym often carries over in his work. These are his three MVTs, most valued tips:
Choose your goal and trust the process
A hard workout can get uncomfortable. As with any kind of goal, there are going to be times when things get difficult or when you doubt your commitment. But remember: “When you sign up for a goal, you also sign up for the struggle,” Settle said.
Powering through the struggle, he said, is what ultimately leads to the biggest gains and best wins. When you set out to accomplish something new, in the gym or in life, enjoy the progress as it comes, and don’t let mistakes or difficulties distract you from the light at the end of the tunnel. Settle suggested reflecting on where you started and taking a moment to be proud of the progress that’s gotten you here. This can help shift your mindset, especially after a setback.
Ask for help
Sometimes you need to ask for a spotter, at the weight rack and beyond. It’s OK if you don’t have all the skills you need right away, Settle said. If gym sessions are about building muscle or athletic skill, then the career equivalents are business development classes and books. When he can’t do something on his own, Settle turns to other experts for help or researches how to build new skills. His logo includes an infinity sign because “it’s all an ongoing journey,” he said.
“I know I can’t do it all by myself,” he added. “I’m getting better at stepping aside and focusing on what’s important for me. That means prioritizing my own health so I don’t burn out, so I can continue inspiring and training people and building the brand to where I can hire that help.”
Find meaningful motivation
Some days it’s hard to make it to the gym or cross off everything on your to-do list. Settle tries to strike the right balance of outer and inner motivation to stay inspired. He said if you’re relying only on external validation, you’ll lose that drive as soon as others start to critique you. But if you rely only on yourself to stay accountable, any inevitable bad days can get you down. So don’t put all your eggs in one basket — or all your weights on one rack.
Settle draws some of his motivation from his family. “I’m the oldest of six siblings, so I feel that responsibility to be great for them,” he said. “When I think about how my success is going to help other people or inspire them, it becomes greater than me and I feel that push to continue.”
Mikal Settle sells his own line of athletic wear under his brand Blaise Training Never Settle. One of his favorite designs is the “Me vs. Me” shirt, because it resonates with his personal philosophy of always trying to learn, grow, and be better than yesterday.
Power ups
Mikal Settle’s favorite . . .
Power meal: A combo of steak, salmon, shrimp, red potatoes, bell peppers and asparagus
Protein powder: Ambrosia Collective
Cheat snacks: Doritos and Sour Mike & Ikes
Workout music: Nipsey Hussle’s “Victory Lap” album, specifically the song “Hussle & Motivate”
Gym outfit: Everything from Never Settle, which you can find at btneversettle.com or @blaisetraining on Instagram
Motivational mantra: “This year I will never give up.”
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