Many successful leaders often come from challenging backgrounds, where early life experiences shape their perspectives and drive their ambitions. Michael Sartain, a now-successful mentor and entrepreneur, grew up in an extremely segregated neighborhood in Dallas and attended a school where gang activity and drugs were prevalent, which was a sharp contrast to the all-white Baptist church he attended on Sundays. Reflecting on this duality, Sartain notes, “The diversity gap between these two worlds was striking to me, but I didn’t fully grasp its significance at the time.” His high school offered limited academic opportunities due to a lack of dedicated teachers, and incidents like shootings were all too common. Yet, despite these challenges, Sartain persevered and graduated in the top 10% of his class.
Transitioning to college, Sartain struggled for a while as his high school had not prepared him with good study habits. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning a BBA in Management Information Systems from 1996 to 2000. “College was a wake-up call for me,” Sartain recalls. “It took time, but I eventually found my footing and excelled academically.” Graduating during the collapse of the DotCom Bubble made finding a job difficult, and Sartain initially took a temporary role as a DJ at a nightclub.
Sartain’s Career Transition and Military Service
Michael’s work as a DJ extended into a managerial role at a gentlemen’s club in Austin, where he developed skills in communication, vocal presence, and people management. “Managing a nightclub taught me more about people than any other job,” he says. However, the events of 9/11 prompted him to seek a change, leading him to join the military in 2001. Although he initially aimed to join the Marine Corps, limited openings led him to enlist in the Air Force to become an instructor navigator for the KC-135. Later, he transitioned into intelligence work, aligning with his initial aspirations.
“The military taught me about leadership and accountability in ways I had never experienced before,” Sartain shares. “I learned to distinguish between good and bad leadership, and those lessons have stuck with me.” His time in the military laid the foundation for his future endeavors, emphasizing the importance of high standards and accountability—principles that would become central to his later work.
Life in Las Vegas and the Start of Michael’s Coaching Career
Sartain moved to Las Vegas in 2011, where he shifted his focus to event hosting and performance coaching. He started with hosting pageants and celebrity charity events, gradually expanded to larger events, and honing his skills in networking and trust-building. Through his work, Sartain recognized a gap between societal expectations of dating and the realities faced by modern individuals. “I spent over a decade studying what attracts women to men, without bias or prejudice,” he says. “I wanted to understand the real dynamics, not just the societal narratives.”
Sartain’s insights into human connections and relationships are central to his coaching, which challenges conventional wisdom and offers a fresh perspective on dating, leadership, and personal growth.
The Founding of Men Of Action Mentoring
In 2019, Michael Sartain founded the Men Of Action Mentoring, leveraging his diverse experiences to create a program focused on social networking, leadership, entrepreneurship, mindset, and finance. “Men Of Action is about bridging the gap between traditional knowledge and practical, actionable insights,” Sartain explains. “It’s about empowering individuals to lead fulfilling and abundant lives.” The program emphasizes personal growth through taking action and personal responsibility for one’s life. It also aims to explain social dynamics, success, and status through concepts in evolutionary psychology.
The Michael Sartain Podcast and Community Engagement
Beyond MOA Mentoring, Sartain shares his insights through The Michael Sartain Podcast, a show centered on intellectual curiosity and diverse topics such as sociology, finance, leadership, evolutionary psychology, conspiracies, entrepreneurship, human sexuality, sports, philosophy, dating, and history. “The podcast is a space where I explore complex topics and share insights with my audience,” he says. “It’s about fostering a deeper understanding of the world around us.”
Michael Sartain remains active on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, where he engages with his audience and shares his thoughts on various subjects. “The best way to get in touch with me is through my website or social media channels,” he advises. “I’m always looking to connect with individuals who are eager to grow and improve their lives.”
Empowering Others Through Experience
Michael Sartain’s journey from a challenging upbringing to a leader and mentor is undoubtedly marked by resilience and a commitment to empowering others. Through the Men Of Action program and his podcast, he continues to inspire individuals to pursue personal growth and leadership, offering practical pieces of advice derived from his diverse and rich experiences. Sartain’s story underscores the impact of adaptability and accountability, encouraging others to achieve excellence in overcoming obstacles regardless of the situation.
