“Coach Mike” Kavanaugh
Coach Mike Kavanaugh was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Counseling Psychology with a minor in Behavioral Studies from Mid-Continent University in Mayfield, Kentucky, where he excelled as a star pitcher on the baseball team.
With over 21 years of experience advocating for and mentoring children from all walks of life, Coach Mike has dedicated his career to empowering youth. After forgoing a professional baseball career, he began working with at-risk youth at Centerstone in Nashville. He later served as a school-based behavioral specialist for 11 years, where he created innovative programming, facilitated small groups, and managed an individual caseload of neurodivergent teens.
Continuing his work in the nonprofit sector, Coach Mike joined ROCKETOWN as an after-school young adult career counselor, supporting at-risk and underserved youth. In 2014, he moved to Los Angeles to launch his own nonprofit organization, PASTL - Physical Activity Transforms Lives. PASTL aims to build meaningful, respectful relationships with every child, empowering them to transform their lives through physical activity and self-belief.
Coach Mike’s passion for helping kids develop confidence, self-esteem, and meaningful friendships—while defying labels and exceeding expectations—has been the cornerstone of his approach. With more than two decades of experience in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), he has positively impacted thousands of children with complex needs. His dedication and transformative impact have earned him the well-deserved title: “The Coach Every Kid Needs & Every Kid Deserves!”
