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Life & Work with Mike Guastella (Goose) of Cottonwood Heights

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Guastella (Goose).

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been a fitness expert for over 15 years, helping clients of all body types with all types of goals. From fat loss and supporting mental health to post—rehab and optimizing performance, I’m motivated to help you gain confidence. If your goals lie in improving your health in a safe, professional and structured but fun manner, I’m the fitness professional for you! I show up at your door, minimizing your time investment in order to MAXIMIZE your health outcomes.

Since 2016, I’ve helped people in homes, in parks, and gyms, remove fitness barriers – and help them discover WHY improved health is the right choice.

Who is in-home training for?

I cater to those who want to integrate health and fitness into their environment. A big problem I had working in the gym setting was an inability to impact the bigger picture in a client’s life. There is far more impact to be made by showing me HOW your environment works rather than just spending an hour lifting some weight in a somewhat uncomfortable setting. Utilizing a lifestyle-centric approach helps us make significant progress in enhancing your overall health by working together to boost your well-being – for the LONG term.

I firmly believe every person should do what they can to optimize their own health – beginning with moving their body in a fun, exciting way that will leave you excited to do it again.

More about me:

My own journey began after suffering three orthopedic injuries and subsequent surgeries all before the age of 21. Fitness and movement was taken from me for some time with each. As I recovered, I realized how much of myself I was missing. Movement in itself became my medicine as I resolved those orthopedic issues and am on a mission to share that joy with you. I enjoy outdoor stuff. Hiking, camping, being a dad, playing sports of all kinds, video games, Harry Potter and learning about new ways to create long lasting change. And I’m excited to hear about you and learn from you.

Certifications and background:

Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology from Michigan State University

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with distinction through the National Strength and Conditioning Association

Precision Nutrition certified

Functional Movement Screen certified

Pain Free Performance Specialist

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all — it’s been anything but smooth. I’ve torn both ACLs and dealt with a shoulder labrum tear, and each injury forced me to hit pause when all I wanted to do was move, compete, and play. The physical rehab was hard, but the mental side was even tougher — learning patience, rebuilding confidence, and trusting my body again after it let me down.

Those setbacks shaped how I approach both fitness and life. Injury taught me how to work through adversity instead of around it, how to respect the process, and how to keep showing up even when progress is slow. That mindset is a huge reason I still love training and playing sports. I genuinely enjoy being on the court, especially playing volleyball, and despite everything, I still have this endless drive to chase athletic goals — including my long-standing mission to dunk a basketball. The road’s been bumpy, but overcoming those challenges is exactly what made the journey meaningful.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a coach and trainer who helps people build strength, resilience, and confidence in their bodies — not just for how they look, but for how they move and live. I specialize in bridging the gap between rehab and real-life performance, helping people return to training, sports, and everyday activities feeling capable and durable. A lot of my work centers on strength training, movement quality, and long-term health, but just as important is helping people enjoy the process and actually want to keep showing up.

I’m known for meeting people where they are, building strong relationships, and making training something that feels empowering instead of intimidating. I’ve spent years working closely with physical therapists and coaching clients through setbacks, injuries, and plateaus, which has shaped how I program and how I communicate. I’m most proud of the trust my clients place in me — especially when they come in discouraged and leave feeling stronger, more confident, and excited about what their body can do again.

What sets me apart is that I’ve lived it. I’ve torn both ACLs, dealt with a shoulder labrum tear, and had to rebuild myself from the ground up more than once. That experience gives me a deep appreciation for adversity and patience, and it shows up in how I coach. I still love playing sports, especially volleyball, and I still chase athletic goals — including my never-ending desire to dunk a basketball. I don’t just coach fitness; I coach people through the messy, real process of becoming stronger, more resilient, and more capable than they thought possible.

Contact Info:

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