Flynt's story of courage and strength garnered national headlines in 2007 when at the age of 59, he returned to Sul Ross State University to play football, completing his last year of NCAA collegiate eligibility.
Biography
Flynt's story of courage and strength garnered national headlines in 2007 when at the age of 59, he returned to Sul Ross State University to play football, completing his last year of NCAA collegiate eligibility. His unique and inspiring story received broad media coverage as the American public followed his unprecedented story on ESPN and on major news and sports programs.
Flynt, with the assistance of renowned writer and New York Times Best Selling author Don Yaeger, will author a memoir entitled The Senior for release in October 2008. The second title, a fitness book, will follow in 2009. "Mike Flynt not only has an incredible story, he also is a shining example to baby boomers on what can happen in our lives if we stay prepared both physically and spiritually." said Matt Baugher, Vice President and Publisher. "This is a message that will resonate with people around the world."
Mike Flynt graduated from Permian High School, Odessa, Texas, in 1966. He was first team, all-district defensive back for the first state championship football team for the Odessa Permian Panthers, starting the winning tradition that inspired the movie Friday Night Lights. Mike went on to play linebacker at Sul Ross State University and was selected as Captain his junior year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Most Conscientious Player. Unable to complete his senior year of eligibility due to disciplinary action, he long regretted letting his teammates down during that final year. His propensity for violence and the homelife that shaped him are both detailed in the book.
After graduation, Mike started a career in the health and wellness field as a collegiate football strength and conditioning coach and in business, creating the fitness program "Train Up a Child" - designed to help children strength train safely, without equipment, and achieve aerobic development. The "Train Up a Child" program was used by thousands of families throughout the nation and led to Mike's development of "The Powerbase" in 1999. Like "Train Up a Child", "The Powerbase" was developed to help fight the childhood obesity epidemic sweeping our country. Mike has patented and copyrighted "The Powerbase" internationally.
With more than four decades of fitness training to his credit, Mike stayed in excellent physical condition. At age 59 he was given an opportunity to try out for the football team at Sul Ross, 37 years after he last played. With his final year of eligibility confirmed by the NCAA, Mike made the team and became the oldest contributing member of a college football team in NCAA history. Mike not only made the team but played the last half of the season on a regular basis at linebacker and on special teams. After completing his senior year of eligibility at Sul Ross, Mike returned to his responsibilities at Powerbase Fitness, LLC, where he continues to help people of all ages live a better, more productive life through strength training.
Mike has been blessed with a beautiful wife for the past 35 years in Eileen Flynt, a court reporter and "co-captain" of the family fitness business. They have three children and one grandson.
