Relational Positivity with Mike Erwin

“We spend so much time and effort pursuing and chasing our dreams and accomplishments...at the expense of our relationships. When we hit that accomplishment, who's going to be there to celebrate with us?"

Mike Erwin is an enthusiastic, grateful and optimistic leader who was born and raised in Syracuse, NY. He graduated from West Point in 2002 and went on to serve on active duty for 13 years, including 3 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with the First Cavalry Division and 3rd Special Forces Group.

In 2009, Mike attended graduate school at the University of Michigan where he earned a Master’s degree in positive psychology and leadership under the tutelage of the co-founder of positive psychology, Dr. Chris Peterson. In 2010, he founded the non-profit organization Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB), whose mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans. He currently serves as the Executive Director.

He is the co-author of LEAD YOURSELF FIRST by Bloomsbury Press (2017). The book focuses on how solitude strengthens people’s character—and their ability to lead with clarity, balance and conviction. He has worked with companies including Amazon, SAP, and Stryker; Special Forces units; and professional sports teams including the Boston Celtics and NJ Devils.

In 2015, Mike co-founded The Positivity Project—an organization with the mission to empower America’s youth to build positive relationships and become their best selves. With 787 partner schools, the organization reaches over 400,000 children daily. He served as Executive Director for four years and remains involved as a strategic advisor to his co-founder, Jeff Bryan.

Mike continues to proudly serve the nation as a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, assigned to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he is an Assistant Professor in the Behavioral Sciences & Leadership Department.

Alongside his wife Genevieve and their 5 children, Mike lives on a 32-acre Homestead outside Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where every day is a new challenge and adventure!