In this episode, Erick Rheam interviews Army West Point XC/Track & Field Hall of Famer Mike Bernstein about his journey at West Point and at the top of the collegiate distance running world.
Mike Bernstein shares with Erick his decision to go to West Point and how he proactively wrote letters to the head coach at West Point to secure his spot on the team. He recounts how he went from walking in his first XC meet in high school to becoming All-American collegiate athlete.
Mike is a West Point graduate and former US Army Captain with decades of expertise in corporate finance, supply chain and contract manufacturing.
At West Point, he was the team captain of the cross country and track teams and a 3-time All American.
Known for his strong work ethic and track record of outperforming expectations, he won six individual Patriot League titles and was the 1994 Patriot League Individual Cross Country Champion and the 1995 Patriot League's Outstanding Indoor Male Performer.
After graduation, Mike continued to compete at the highest levels for the US Army World Class Athlete Program while earning his MBA from Colorado State. In 1996, he became the first soldier to win the Army 10-miler, running the distance in 47:59 and breaking the course record.
He also placed 5th at the US Nationals 5k in 1997 and 6th in the US Nationals Indoor 3k in 1998. He qualified for and competed in the US Olympic Trials where he placed 21st. In 2019, Mike was inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame.
Mike served in roles in corporate finance and supply chain at storied food companies such as Mars, Campbell Soup, and Kellogg’s.
He left the workforce a decade ago to focus on raising his two boys while his wife traveled extensively for her job. During that time, he became a prolific investor in several emerging technology companies, and an active real estate investor.
He lives in Lake Forest, IL with his wife Roxanne of 28 years – also a West Point graduate -- and their 2 sons.