94: Mike Ergo

Episode 94 of the Mile after Mile Podcast features Mike Ergo.

Mike Ergo is a co-host of the podcast Age Groupies and he is an accomplished triathlete. 

We start his story with growing up in San Francisco and a few endurance local events including the world famous Bay to Breakers event. 

After high school Mike enlisted in the US Marine Corps. This is a significant element in his passion for endurance sports. 

Mike shares how some of his combat experience, how he felt coming home. He shares his personal story of PTSD and substance abuse when he came home. He’s very open about the personal struggles dealing with survivor’s guilt and trying to find his way forward. 

Mike’s path lead him to study to become a therapist and a counselor which is what he does today. He shares this story of the steps that had to come together to make this journey possible. 

We talk openly about how he got into therapy, how he got sober, how he found his way through.

In 2014 Mike Ergo was in Hawaii as a tourist and he saw a portion of the Ironman World Championship race. He shares how this experience lead him to want to complete an Ironman himself. 

In this conversation you will hear that service to others is at the root of what drives Mike forward. He shares how he discovered the organization Wear Blue - Run to Remember. Beginning with his very first race he has dedicated to fallen soldiers. There is a lot to this story  you will want to listen to hear him share this. 

Moving forward Mike has created a program called the Gold Star Initiative. He shares the story and it’s a special program.

We talk about the current racing situation and race cancellations and what he’s been up to. He has done his own Covidman duathlon and Pandemicman 70.3 which he did with a few friends on the Santa Rosa course. Mike shares what he’s loving about doing his own events. 

Mike cohosts the Age Groupies Podcast with Linsday Hiken. He shares how that started.

Their show will be featured on Endurance Zone TV.

You can find the Age Groupies Podcast on Apple Podcasts or on instagram or FaceBook @agegroupies

Mike also has a separate podcast called Transitions from War which you can find anywhere you listen to podcasts. You can find Mike Ergo on Instagram @transitions_from_war  or via email at [email protected]