The Man behind FitSpan
In my late-40s, I'm getting more capable every year. Not less.
I’m a performance physiologist with a PhD in nutritional neurophysiology. I started in research at the National Cancer Institute, then spent over 15 years in health promotion and wellness. Today, I coach physicians and high-performing men who want better energy, strength, focus and recovery.
My approach pairs objective testing and wearable data with old-school accountability. We measure what matters, identify exactly what’s limiting you, train smart and recover better.
True fitness isn’t about how fast you can go or how much you can lift. It’s about how long you can keep doing what you love.
I built FitSpan to help men dominate midlife, not just survive it.
Michael Donovan, PhD
Founder, FitSpan Performance Institute
I don't just coach this life. I live it.
I train alongside the men I coach. I’ve done CrossFit since 2007, I love mountain bike descents, and I’ve refereed competitive soccer for over 30 years. Refereeing taught me to stay calm and make the right call when the stakes are high and everyone is watching. I bring the same thing to coaching.
I’m modeling a different path for my son Bennett, my daughter Brooklyn, my clients and every man who knows he’s meant for more.
5-Year Goal: Podium a 70.3 triathlon and show what intentional, intelligent training makes possible in midlife.
30-Year Goal: Line up at a mountain bike stage race with Bennett when I’m 75: fit, capable and fully alive.
Between now and then: father-child adventures. Trips that demand strength. Fitness that makes play possible. A body that says “yes” instead of “not anymore.”
What FitSpan Means to Me
Think of capacity as your battery size. A bigger battery doesn’t mean you work harder. It means you can do more of what you love before you run low.
FitSpan isn’t about chasing youth. It’s about extending capability: strength, engine and recovery, plus the resilience to keep all three going. It’s the reserve to train hard, bounce back and still have plenty left decades from now to carry a pack, ride a trail or say “let’s go” when it matters.
My training decisions come down to one question:
Does this help me stay capable longer, physically, mentally and relationally?
Why I Coach This Way
Capacity before longevity. Being disease-free isn’t the same as being fit. Real fitness is the ability to do what your life demands, and still have room to spare.
I coach men who want to be fit and focused for their work, family and next adventure, not just to look good, finish an event or get through long days.
FitSpan aligns:
Ambitious performance goals with intelligent recovery
Real-world strength and endurance
Meaningful relationships
A long horizon worth training for
