Testimonials
““As I think about the overall retrospective time with Mikaal Bates, I can honestly say it’s been the most transformative and meaningful work I’ve ever done. It felt like I’d been preparing for this my entire life, and the fit was predestined. It has been stunning. The changes to career, to love life, to life and living circumstances are all stark. Major improvements all.”
— Jeff Gangemi
Marketing Strategist
"Working with Mikaal has been one of the most positive experiences that changed my life for the better. One thing I realized during our time together was that for most of my life I’ve rarely felt heard, seen, or acknowledged. Having Mikaal there to guide me through my emotions, challenges, and negative beliefs helped me feel and recognize my own worth. He taught me the tools I can use on my own to continue acknowledging my own emotions and needs. Before working with Mikaal, I was going through my most painful breakup. With Mikaal’s help, I was able to process the break up and rebuild myself and acknowledge that I am still worthy despite making mistakes. That would be my biggest take away from working with Mikaal, that I am worthy and that I will always continually grow despite my challenges.”
— Emmanuel Lemi
Web Designer, New York City Government
““Thank you so much Mikaal. I don’t want to be anyone other than who I’m becoming. I’m living the most fulfilling and interesting life all of sudden. I’m excited when I wake up each day and I’m just realizing how that is aligned with our work together. I needed this help and I’m so glad it was with you - I’m genuinely happier because of it. I'm pleased with myself for calling in something larger than i can handle and I love that. I love the interactions I’m having with other humans now. They bring more joy to my life. It’s more meaningful. Fuck man. It’s good. I fucking love this shit man. I do not want my money back. Ever. If you wanted to have an impact on people with your your work i can tell you that you have succeeded.”
— James Orsulak
Geospatial Machine Learning | Data Science & HPC Infrastructure | TedX Speaker
"After working with many coaches and personal development courses I found myself stagnating and not achieving the desired results. I searched long and hard for the right coach that could take me to the next level, that coach was Mikaal. We dived deep into what barriers were holding me back and realized sometimes it's the simplest things that need to be done in order to move forward. I have a great respect for Mikaal and his work and am truly thankful to have gotten the chance to work with him. I highly recommend Mikaal to any aspiring individuals with audacious goals as Mikaal will hold you accountable and help you plot the right course of action. Thank you for the teachings Mikaal."
— Andrew Lewis
Business Development Strategist
“I love working with Mikaal. He is a wonderful human who always shows up with care and compassion, as well as a healthy dose of intensity. I wasn’t sure if creating a coaching container around mindfulness and self-love practice would be helpful for me, but it proved to be exactly what I needed. I continue to use the tips, tricks, and daily practices we developed together. What a human being! I hope you get the opportunity to work with this man.”
— Peter Adam Simon
Entrepreneur and Acupuncturist
"Working with Mikaal has been a total rewrite in my relationship to masculine energy and men. His ability to hold my emotional ups and downs, to make me feel safe, and give me deep presence has completely changed the way I relate with men. His ability to deeply listen to me without projection or wobbling due to my intensity- is REAL! I have challenged him to edges but he stays strong. He stays present. This is the mark of an incredible coach, colleague and friend- a new paradigm of masculinity that the world is deeply needing in times like these."
— Alexandra Roxo
Women's Empowerment Coach, Author, Healer
"Signed up for a three-month container with Mikaal, and I wasn't sure exactly what it would look like. Honestly, I could not have planned for what I discovered working with Mikaal. In developing my masculine energy and Presence, I have found it easier to stand firm when facing challenges in life. It's upgraded the degree of myself that I bring to work and play, enough that my colleagues and friends took notice. My relationship expanded the most. The day after our third Polarity session, my woman spoke to a deeper sense of TRUST in me than she had ever felt before. Root to Rise, Mikaal will help you expand."
— Andy Radzevicius
Software Designer
"Working with Mikaal has been one of the most intense, mind-blowing, transformational experiences of my life thus far, and I've experienced a lot. I entered the container we created with a million fears and two specific desires, and stepped out of the container with more than I could have ever hoped for. With Mikaal's support, I have seen exponential growth as an individual and as a lover within my sacred relationship. I feel clear, focused, turned on, safe and at home in my own body; playful, secure, wild, and happy. I fell in even deeper love with myself, my partner, and the world around me. And...our sex life has shot through the goddamn roof, thats worth the cost right there. Simply put, I am more ME than I have ever been, and yet totally unrecognizable.
Hire. This. Man. Seriously. Do it."
— Heather Manwaring
Photographer, Artist, Entrepreneur
“When I started a new company, working with Mikaal one on one was one of the best choices I made to support my success. My new job requires a tremendous amount of flexibility and strength (which, as Mikaal will tell you, one is nothing without the other). Our training program taught me to create my reality with a unique visualization component that Mikaal uses to turn ordinary training into personal rituals for disciplined success and courage.”