Six years ago, I had the privilege of sitting down with a man whose quiet influence shaped one of the most extraordinary theatrical experiences of our generation. Michal Fraley was not just a skate coach. He was a guide. A craftsman. A steady presence in the storm of one of the most physically demanding shows ever created. Born on September 1, 1959, in Santa Rosa, California, Michal’s journey would carry him across continents and into the core of Starlight Express history. What many may not know is that his role went far beyond teaching performers how to skate. He became the resident skate coach for multiple productions around the world — including the United States, the United Kingdom, Las Vegas, touring companies, and the long-running production in Bochum, Germany. For decades, if you stepped into Starlight Express, you likely stepped through Michal’s training. He taught balance. He taught fear management. He taught discipline under pressure. And in a show where speed and spectacle could easily overpower substance, Michal insisted on control, awareness, and artistry. That’s what made him special. He understood that skating wasn’t just technical — it was emotional. Performers arrived talented but often terrified. He guided them through that transformation. He helped them find confidence on wheels. He helped them trust themselves. In our interview six years ago, we spoke about more than choreography and technique. We spoke about the arc of the performer’s journey — how mastering the physical demands of the show mirrors mastering life itself. Fear. Frustration. Breakthrough. Growth. Grace under pressure. Michal later captured many of his reflections in his memoir, Skating the Starlight Express, where he wrote about the deeper lessons hidden inside the work — how the struggle to stay upright on wheels is not so different from the struggle to stay centered in life.

Here's my interview on Travel Expert, @Mark Murphy's YouTube Channel.

It's amazing that this song is still #1 on my Living Strong Radio Youtube Channel! It's been added to inspirational and encouraging spiritual playlists! Very cool. https://youtu.be/wtJhTuFQcJU?si=3Yuz7issM4O0vn8O

Living Strong Is Just a Tap Away My Top 3 Tap-Aways for Mindset Living Strong is not theory for me. It’s daily practice. When people ask me how I stay focused, grounded, and clear — especially with everything I juggle in a day — the answer is simple: I tap into what nourishes me. Here are my top three mindset Tap-Aways. 1. Connection in Person I love tapping into real, face-to-face connection. There’s something powerful about sitting across from a friend at my favorite local spot, Take 5 Cafe, with a good cup of coffee… sometimes a blueberry muffin… sometimes a danish… and just talking about life. No rush. No performance. No agenda. Just sharing. It nourishes my soul. It steadies my spirit. It reminds me that strength is not built alone. Conversation clears the mind in ways scrolling never will. That’s a Tap I protect. 2. My Own Music I love tapping into my music. For years now, I’ve taken journal entries, quotes that hit me, lines I’ve overheard, reflections from hard seasons, and I turn them into lyrics. Sometimes they become full songs. Sometimes just short quips set to a beat that resonates with me. I’ve produced over 100 songs. When I tap into my playlist, it grounds me. It inspires me. It reminds me of the work I’m doing — and how far I’ve come. From a kid in the Bronx… to where I stand today. Music carries memory. Music carries momentum. That’s a Tap that fuels my mindset daily. 3. Guided Meditation at 2PM Every day around 2pm, after my first job and before my second job, I use a guided meditation audio on an app I love. I’ve been doing this for years. It’s not dramatic. It’s disciplined. It creates a reset between worlds. It clears the mental noise. It slows my breath. It recalibrates my focus. That daily Tap has changed my clarity more than almost anything else. Living Strong isn’t about grinding nonstop. It’s about intentional resets. Now I’d love to hear from you. What do you tap into every day that empowers you to live strong?

Living Strong is just a tap away. Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not failing — you’re overloaded. Pick three priorities and reset your focus. Join the free Living Strong Community at LivingStrongTribe.com. I would love to hear from you. What are your top three priorities for this week?