About Mike
About Trust Inside
I believe in thetransformative power of restoring Human Dignity, Belonging, and Trust.
When I’m getting to know a person, I ask them to tell me about a time when their dignity was taken away. Often, these are the moments that hold so many of us back from what we can achieve.
My moment came at age nine. My parents told me I was adopted, and I thought, Why would someone not want me?
Everyone is born with an innate sense of dignity—the worthiness of being respected, cared for, and valued. But when something overthrows this sense of worthiness, the impact can stay with us throughout our lives.
It’s discovering our story around dignity, and surrounding ourselves with people who reinforce our worth, that allows us to weaken the impact and regain our power.
Personal trust communities empower individuals to go as far as their talents, dreams, and efforts will take them.
We can do anything
Being Part of a Team
Whether it’s being a part of a team, culture, or organization that accepts us for who we are, having a sense of belonging and trust in those around us allows us to own and unlock greater potential within ourselves.
When I found people who “wanted me,” I realized I could do anything. And I was right. Building and investing in my trust communities laid the groundwork, propelling me to take on senior leadership roles and ultimately start my own venture. Now, it’s propelled me to help other leaders do the same.
Belong. Build. Believe.
My Background & Purpose
I specialize in facilitating transformations in human beings and business leaders by helping them create trust communities and cultures of inclusion. These communities and cultures help people feel inspired, increase their engagement, and improve organizational performance on every level. I inject a passion for excellence into those I serve while delivering impact through sustainable growth
Career History
Over the course of my career, I’ve worked in sales, business development, and leadership in seven different industries, including as President of the Wholesale Division for Yankee Candle; Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Customer Service, and Analytics for Rawlings Sporting Goods; and CEO of Challenger Turf Inc.
Building My Own Business
Since 2017, I have advised business executives through my own company, Ask Inside. In 2021, I continued that work by becoming a Vistage Chair, facilitating meetings of northern New England’s business owners and executives who come together to solve problems, support each other, and design innovative solutions to grow their businesses.
We Can Do Great Things
Whether it’s running a business, competing in an Ironman, or being a good husband and father, I know that I can only be successful when I surround myself with folks who believe in me and lift me up. Because when we feel like we belong, we can do great things.
Belong. Build. Believe.
Biography
About Mike Thorne
When I was nine, my parents told me I was adopted, and it shattered my sense of identity and belonging. After that point, I believed being “perfect” was the only way to avoid rejection and abandonment. For years, I chose to trust only myself.
It was only through finding the people I felt I belonged with and could trust, through sports, work, friends, and family, that I was able to build my confidence and truly believe in my ultimate success.
I call this group of people your personal trust community.
In my own, my wife supports my emotional and social well-being. Father John supports my spiritual well-being. My personal trainer, Suzan, supports my physical well-being. They, along with several others, have helped me unleash my own greatness.
Seeing my own transformation using the help of my personal trust community spurred me to want to help others find their personal trust communities too.
I now help executives and individuals determine what’s holding them back, restore their dignity, and build personal trust communities in their lives and organizations to unleash their own greatness and achieve their goals.
Build trust. Renew dignity. Unleash greatness.
Testimonials
What Others Say
“I have always had this dream of being an independent entrepreneur. Every time I broached the subject with my husband, he would say “My dream is your dream, dear.” But I never genuinely believed him. Deep down, I felt like he was just saying that to pacify me. So, I never actively pursued my dreams.
Then one day, Mike came to speak to a group of my co-workers. At that point, I was in a mental place of questioning the hamster wheel I was on. Mike started talking about “The North Star” & “The Circle of Trust.” Things he said that day resonated with me, and I signed up to follow his course & get his coaching.
Mike and I had so many conversations about following the path and the journey, what my “True North Star” was. I remember so vividly that Mike kept pushing me – he knew that I had put up roadblocks & barriers to this journey and I was never going to get there unless I faced them, dealt with them, and broke them down.
Mike has an exercise called “The Circle of Trust.” I remember other women in my group having such amazing circles, and I would ask them “How’d you do that?” or “What template did you use?” Mike would push me to create my own. I would create one and Mike would push back, he would say “you’re not letting people in. You are not letting people help you.” It took me a year of constant refining of my circle, until I started to let people in, and ask for help (including my husband). That is when the breakthrough finally came – that is when my journey began. That is when I knew I had a circle of people around me to help me breakthrough and create this journey. I remember it clearly – my husband and I dove into this journey together & have never looked back.
Mike’s course is different for everyone – it depends on what their North Star is; some goals are just simpler. Mine was probably the most complex Mike had. Together, we pushed the meaning of the course, the exercises, the mental stamina to do it, the level of coaching required to get me through it. Mike never gave up on me. He knew the dream was there; he knew I had unlimited potential and desire, we just had to find the right way to get it out.
I know for certain that I would not be where I am today if I had not had Mike’s strength, honesty, professionalism, and coaching to push me through the tough parts.
Today, I use my North Star as my guiding light for every decision that I make.
I have never journaled before; I thought it was stupid and useless. I thought it was weak. Mike showed me how journaling can be such a powerful connection to your inner thoughts & subconscious. I now use journaling to get me through so many decisions, trials, and barriers to obtaining my true goals. I feel so much more connected to myself and where my true North is meant to be.
You cannot take on this journey without “you.” Mike cannot do it for you. The exercises are not just an exercise. If you are ready to follow your North Star and set yourself on a path to who “you” are meant to be, Mike can help you get there. Put in the work, get comfortable with uncomfortable, and watch your path lay out in front of you, one step at a time.
I look toward the sky each night at the North Star, I smile and acknowledge that I am there. I am following my path that is guiding me north – thanks to Mike.”