The Online Course
Stop Drifting. Start Leading Your Life.
Most people are capable of far more than their daily life reflects. Passion For Excellence is the 6-module course that closes the gap — giving you the mindset, skills, and discipline to lead yourself and everyone around you at the highest level.
One-time payment. Lifetime access. 14-day satisfaction guarantee.
Supported by
Backed by leaders in Education, Business & Athletic
The Real Problem
Most People Know What It Takes.
Few Actually Do It.
You’ve read the books. You’ve heard the speeches. You know discipline matters, you know leadership starts with self — but somewhere between knowing and doing, something gets lost. The wrong habits. The wrong environment. No clear framework to make it real.
Passion For Excellence was built to close that gap. Not with theory. With a structured, practical system built by people who’ve lived it — in boardrooms, on courts, in front of cameras, and on baseball diamonds.
What Changes
Six Modules. One Complete Transformation.
This is not about one skill. It's about rewiring how you show up — in every area of life.
How You Think
Develop a mindset that sees pressure as opportunity and problems as puzzles to be solved.
How You Communicate
Speak with clarity and conviction. Command attention in any room.
How You Connect
Master emotional intelligence and people skills that build genuine trust and influence.
How You Lead
Lead yourself before you lead others. Build the habits and discipline great leaders live by.
How You Show Up Online
Take control of your brand and digital presence with intention and authenticity.
How You Live
Align everything — your habits, relationships, and daily choices — with a clear sense of purpose.
Before PFE
- Moving through life on autopilot
- Struggling to stay consistent
- Avoiding difficult conversations
- Unclear on your direction and purpose
- Letting self-doubt limit your decisions
- Knowing what to do but not doing it
After PFE
- Leading with intention in every situation
- Disciplined habits that compound over time
- Confident communication that commands respect
- Living aligned with your purpose and values
- Confidence built on real skill and experience
- A proven system to turn effort into results
The Curriculum
Six Modules.
Built for Real Life.
Each module goes deep — practical lessons, reflection tools, and real-world challenges you can apply immediately.
01
Module 01
Leadership & Excellence
Build habits of discipline, focus, and resilience. Learn to rise under pressure and transform effort into lasting impact.
6 lessons
02
Module 02
Emotional Intelligence
Master the awareness and people skills that drive trust, teamwork, and real influence in every relationship.
6 lessons
03
Module 03
Public Speaking & Presence
Speak with clarity and conviction. From body language to commanding a room — develop the presence of a true communicator.
6 lessons
04
Module 04
Brand & Social Media
Take control of your online presence. Turn your values, voice, and ideas into authentic, lasting influence.
6 lessons
05
Module 05
Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving
See challenges as opportunities. Approach every obstacle with creativity, vision, and unshakable confidence.
6 lessons
06
Module 06
Purpose-Driven Living
Excellence has no finish line. Align your habits, relationships, and daily actions with your purpose. Leadership becomes legacy.
6 lessons
07
Bonus Module
Lessons From World-Class Guests
In this bonus module, students hear from inspiring guest speakers who share hard-earned lessons from business, sports, leadership, personal growth, and life. Each session is designed to expand perspective, challenge excuses, and show what excellence looks like in the real world.
Bonus
Full Lesson Breakdown
Everything Inside the Course
36 lessons across 6 modules. Click each module to explore what you'll learn.
Leadership and Excellence
Excellence begins with how you lead yourself. This module challenges you to build habits of discipline, focus, and perseverance. You’ll learn what it takes to rise under pressure, to adapt in chaos, and to transform effort into long-term impact.
Lessons include:
- Resilience Over Resistance: Why Great Leaders Never Quit
- Adapt or Fall Behind: The Discipline of Strategic Flexibility
- Courage Under Fire: Stepping Up When Others Step Back
- Discipline: The Foundation of Greatness
- Effort: Going Beyond What’s Expected
- The Little Things: How Small Actions Create Big Results
Emotional Intelligence and People Skills
Great leaders don’t just understand the world — they understand themselves and people. This module helps you master the emotional awareness and communication skills that drive trust, teamwork, and influence.
Lessons include:
- People Skills: Knowing Yourself, Then Understanding Others
- Mentorship: Find Someone to Help You Through Life
- Empowerment: Bringing Out the Best in Others
- Social Fitness: Mastering the Art of Connection
- Emotional Awareness: Understanding Yourself and Others
- Listening to Lead: Turning Hearing into an Art
Public Speaking and Presentation
Your voice is one of your greatest tools. In this module, you’ll learn how to speak with clarity, confidence, and conviction. From your tone and body language to your ability to command a room, you’ll develop the presence of a true communicator.
Lessons include:
- Speak with Clarity, No Filler Words
- Speak in Absolutes – “I’ll Make It”
- Respect – Give It, Then Get It
- First Impressions Are Critical
- Body Language
- Teamwork: Communicating for Collaboration
Building Your Brand and Social Media
In a digital world, your reputation travels faster than you do. This module helps you take control of your online presence, turning your ideas, values, and voice into influence. Learn to lead online with intention, authenticity, and integrity.
Lessons include:
- Feed Your Mind: Becoming Intentional About What You Take In
- Your Voice Matters: How Podcasting Builds Influence and Connection
- Connection Is Currency: The Power of People in Your Journey
- Brand You: Crafting a Reputation That Speaks Before You Do
- In Control: Managing Your Digital Habits With Purpose
- Own the Screen: How to Lead Yourself in a Digital World
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Leaders aren’t defined by what happens to them, but by how they think and react to what happens to them. This module teaches you how to see challenges as opportunities, to approach problems with creativity, and to lead with vision and confidence no matter the obstacle.
Lessons include:
- See the Unseen: Lead with Vision
- Think to Win: How Your Mind Shapes Your Life
- Own It: The Power of Unshakable Confidence
- Every Inch Counts: Master the Small Wins
- Turn Struggle into Strength: Every Problem is an Opportunity
- Adapt to Win: The Smart Leader Evolves
Purpose-Driven Living
Excellence has no finish line, it’s a way of life. In this module, you’ll learn how to align your habits, relationships, and actions with your purpose. This is where leadership becomes legacy.
Lessons include:
- Intentional Action: Serving Your Purpose Every Day
- Execution Excellence: Turning Ideas Into Results
- The Right Environment: Surround Yourself for Success
- Habit Mastery: Building Foundations for Excellence
- Adapt to Thrive: Flexibility as a Superpower
- Discover Your Why: Finding Your Purpose
World-Class Faculty
Meet the Instructors
Every instructor is a practitioner, not a professor. Real results from real experience in business, sport, and media.
Mike Panaggio
Entrepreneur & Philanthropist
Founder of DME Academy — one of the most respected athletic development programs in the country. Built businesses, shaped leaders, and invested in communities across America.
Max Van Auken
Entrepreneur, Life Success Coach, Podcaster
Entrepreneur. Broadcaster. Performance Coach. Co Founder of Passion For Excellence. He is a TV and radio personality and host of the This Is How I Made It podcast. Passionate about helping others turn ideas into action, he focuses on building things that last. A business. A brand. A better version of yourself. His work centers around a simple philosophy. Execution builds confidence. Discipline shapes identity. Vision drives everything. Through media, leadership development, and Passion For Excellence, he challenges individuals to raise their standard, communicate with conviction, and commit to long term growth over short term comfort. He has been a credentialed NBA media member for the past eight seasons.
Joshua Akinbiyi
Entrepreneur, Life Success Coach, Creative Director
Joshua Akinbiyi is an entrepreneur and co-founder of V&V Executive Group and Passion for Excellence (PFE), where he focuses on developing high-performance environments rooted in discipline, identity, and long-term vision. His collaborations span organizations such as the NBA’s Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs, along with global brands including Adidas and Nike. Through his work, Joshua has consistently operated at the intersection of culture, business, and community. His current mission is to instill the core principles of success into the younger generation, teaching not just how to achieve, but how to sustain and evolve.
Student Results
What Students Are Saying
Real students. Real outcomes. This is what Passion For Excellence does.
★★★★★
"This course gave me the confidence to step into a leadership role I'd been avoiding for years. The emotional intelligence module alone was worth 10× the price."
★★★★★
"Mike's delivery is real. No fluff. I've taken 12 online courses — PFE is different. You feel like someone actually cares about your outcome."
★★★★★
"The public speaking module transformed how I carry myself in every room. I speak at conferences now. I wouldn't have dared a year ago."
★★★★★
"I was skeptical about another online course. But the instructors — real professionals — made every lesson feel urgent. Worth every dollar."
Who It's For
Built for Anyone Ready
to Level Up
You don’t need a title, a degree, or a head start. You need the will to grow — and a system that actually works. If you’re ready to stop drifting and start leading, Passion For Excellence was built for you.
Students & Young Professionals
You're at the starting line. Build the foundation that will separate you for decades.
Athletes in Transition
Your competitive edge doesn't retire when you do. Transfer it.
Entrepreneurs & Creators
You're building something. Make sure you're building yourself too.
Teachers, Coaches & Parents
You shape others. This course sharpens the tools you use to do it.
Anyone Capable of More
You already know you're not operating at your ceiling. This is the next step.
The Process
How It Works
Four steps. Zero excuses. Start today.
Enroll Once
Pay $499 once. Get lifetime access to all 6 modules and every future update. No subscription.
Watch & Learn
Short, focused lessons from real-world leaders across business, sports, and media.
Apply Immediately
Every module includes practical exercises you can implement the same day you watch.
Lead Your Life
Build the habits, skills, and mindset of someone who performs at the highest level.
Investment
Simple, Transparent Pricing
One course. One price. Lifetime access.
Lifetime Access
Passion For Excellence
one-time payment · includes all future updates
Everything Included
- All 6 modules — forever
- 36 focused lessons
- All future course updates
- Downloadable workbooks & resources
- Community access
- Certificate of completion
30-day satisfaction guarantee · Instant access · No recurring fees
Frequently Asked Questions
Students, athletes, professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to level up their leadership, communication, and purpose. If you want to grow — seriously grow — this is for you.
Is this a one-time payment or a subscription?
The $499 option is a one-time, lifetime payment. You pay once, you own it forever — including all future updates and new lessons added to the course.
How long will it take to complete the course?
The curriculum is entirely self-paced. Most students complete all 6 modules in 4–6 weeks. You can go faster or slower — there is no expiry on your access, ever.
How is PFE different from other online courses?
Every instructor is a practitioner, not an academic. The content is built around real scenarios from business, sports, and media. No filler. No padding. Just what you actually need.
We stand behind the value of this program. Reach out within 14 days and we will make it right — no runaround, no hassle.
Do I need any prior knowledge or experience?
None whatsoever. This course is designed to meet you exactly where you are — whether you’re building your foundation or fine-tuning a competitive edge.
Your Next Move
You Already Know
What's Missing.
The Work Starts Today.
Stop waiting for the right moment. The right moment is built — not found. Leadership. Confidence. Purpose. Six modules. One decision.
One-time payment · Lifetime access · 14-day guarantee