The Level Up Leader Newsletter
I finally believe the hype (but here’s why I didn’t before)
They said I could do anything. I didn’t believe them.
I had bosses who told me, “There’s nothing you can’t do.” “You’re a beast.” “You could run this whole thing.”
They weren’t wrong.
But I didn’t believe them. Not because I lacked confidence, but because I knew the game. They weren’t building me up to set me free. They were buttering me up to squeeze more out of me.
They knew words of affirmation were my thing. And they used it like a carrot. Who doesn’t love being told they’re amazing? Except I knew what it was. It wasn’t belief. It was manipulation. They didn’t want more for me. They wanted more from me.
And I fell for it. For a while. Because I was hungry to feel seen.
I finally started to get it.
Not because someone finally said the magic phrase. Not because a mentor walked in with a sword and slayed my imposter syndrome. But because I stopped outsourcing belief.
I’ve stepped into my zone. For real. And I am having a blast.
I’m not showing up to be impressive. I’m showing up to be useful. I’m not performing. I’m transforming. Starting with myself.
That’s why these transformational keynotes matter to me. They’re not just talks. They’re reclamations.
Case in point: Social Media Week Lima.
I brought the sax. I told the truth. I dropped a message called The Power of Nope. People didn’t just clap. They leaned in. They cried. They re-evaluated some stuff.
Jessika Suter, who runs the event, said this:
“Michael didn’t just play the sax (and play it beautifully), he delivered a message that hit just as deep. His talk was a masterclass in protecting your energy, setting boundaries, and choosing where you invest your attention. With every note and every word, Michael brings clarity, conviction, and a calm power that stays with you long after the stage lights go down. He has a gift for blending music with mindset…and it’s an experience your audience won’t forget.”
Look. You want your event to move people? Let’s talk. I’m not just filling time. I’m helping people find themselves again. You can reach out at www.michaelkingjr.com
This week on the Level Up Leader Podcast: Ava Thomas
President of the Lincoln Journal Star. Total pro. Insightful. Transparent. We talked about real leadership. The kind that requires guts, not gimmicks.
Over 2,000 people have already watched the episode on YouTube in two days. That tells me people are hungry for this kind of conversation.
Go watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TynmoboWn0E&t=104s
Level Up Leader Tip
If you’re stuck, it’s probably not because you lost your edge. It’s because your old strategy doesn’t work anymore.
That’s it. That’s the tweet. Leaders don’t get stuck because they’re less talented. They get stuck when they outgrow their own systems.
You need a new map. A fresh approach. A coach who isn’t afraid to call it out and help you move.
Coaching Spots Are Opening
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to level up, this is it.
I’m opening a few 1:1 coaching spots soon. We also have room for a couple of new company partners.
You’ll get structure, clarity, and a strategy that matches who you are now… not who you were five years ago. Let’s work together for 90 days (to get started) to get you unlocked, unleashed, and back in your groove.
Apply now at www.michaelkingjr.com
About Michael King
Michael King is an award-winning executive coach and the founder of Teams.Coach, Gawker Traffic, and CatalystCo. With two master’s degrees in Leadership and Executive Coaching from Bellevue University, he helps high-performing executives simplify complexity, optimize their leadership, and build teams that actually work.
A certified executive coach, Michael has spent years guiding Fortune 500 leaders, entrepreneurs, and teams through the real work of leadership—creating clarity, building systems, and driving results without the burnout.
When he’s not coaching, Michael is an accomplished singer/songwriter and music producer with over 100 published songs to his credit. He’s also a Ducati aficionado, a die-hard Apple fan, and probably has a Starbucks in his hand right now.
