Who is Mike Bogdanski?

Mike Bogdanski is a motivational speaker and a member of the International Bullying Prevention Association. For over 25 years, he’s been visiting schools around the United States, presenting fun and educational seminars that encourage respect, self-confidence, courage and teamwork, in order to reduce or eliminate bullying.

Mike has taught over 25,000 students how to avoid becoming the target of bullies while empowering them to help other victims.

He also has some strong academic credentials. Along with attaining a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, he also has a Master’s degree in School Counseling, giving him the skills he needs to talk to and relate to students of all ages.

Mike’s best qualification

The best qualification that Mike has to be speaking to students about bullying prevention is that he was once a victim of bullying himself:

“It’s no coincidence that I’ve dedicated my life to helping children overcome the mental and emotional pain of bullying…

You see, as a high school student, I was bullied, too!

My bully’s name was “Bub,” and he moved into my neighborhood when I was a teenager, and turned my life into a living hell.

At first, the bullying and abuse were strictly verbal: name-calling, insults, and angry rants. But over time, Bub’s anger became more and more intense, until one day, it boiled over into physical violence.

I’ll never forget the day he came at me with fists raised, and I ended up receiving the pummelling of my life. From that moment on, everything changed for me…

I became a prisoner. I was afraid to go outside… afraid to go to school… and even afraid to confide in my family, friends, or teachers.

And so I began the downward spiral of depression, isolation, and loss of self-esteem that all victims of bullying experience, and that so often lead to failing grades, drug or alcohol abuse, or worse.”

What saved his life?

“It was a teacher, a martial arts teacher that saved my life.

I wanted to learn karate to beat people up, to get even, and get revenge.  He said “Wouldn’t it be better if I could teach you how to be assertive and confident so no bully would seek you out as a target”?

That day changed my life!”

Mike has become a martial arts master holding the prestigious rank of Black belt in various styles. A thirty year veteran in the martial arts he teaches people all over the country the strength of mind and the mental skills of martial arts such as goal setting, courage, and common sense. Having a Black Belt attitude is more important than winning a trophy. He is an international competitor and has won two World Cups as recently as 2000. Through martial arts skills such as indomitable spirit, perseverance and responsibility, Mike has gone on to achieve great success in academics, martial-arts, and motivating himself and others.

Living a life of service