Daily Inspiration: Meet Mike Reynoso

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Reynoso.

Hi Mike, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My path in coaching and teaching really started when I was still a kid myself. In high school, I worked at a center for kids with special needs, and that experience changed me. It taught me patience, compassion, and how meaningful it is to show up for young people. Around that same time, I also worked for Parks and Rec, helping build community programs for the youth. I loved creating spaces where people could come together, have fun, and feel supported and that feeling has stayed with me throughout my career.
I started coaching basketball at 21, running the freshman team and helping with varsity boys basketball at La Jolla High School. By 23, I was hired as the head coach of the boys’ varsity team at Woodside High School. It was a big responsibility at a young age, but it pushed me to grow fast. After four great years, I moved to Cañada College, first as an assistant and then, at 29, as the head coach. Over the next five years, we built something special there and became a state-level powerhouse.
During those years, I also started training former pros and college players who were sent my way. But everything shifted during COVID. I began training middle schoolers and high school kids, and honestly, I fell in love with it. Their energy, their willingness to learn, their pure passion. It reminded me why I started doing this in the first place. As someone who’s spent many years teaching PE to all levels from college to now elementary students, working with kids and people has always felt natural for me.
The idea for what eventually became Cali Gold really took shape because of a parent of one of the kids I coached. They believed in me and pushed me to start something bigger. And I’m grateful they did. What started as a small idea has grown into a community with the help of my wife, one built on relationships, trust, and a genuine love for the game.
Being part of this journey, watching kids grow, develop, and find confidence on and off the court has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. And it all traces back to those early days teaching, serving the community, and discovering how powerful sports can be.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I don’t think anything worthwhile ever is. To get to this point, there were a lot of long nights, early mornings, and days spent away from family. Those sacrifices are tough, and they are the part people don’t always see. Coaching and teaching takes a lot of time and energy, and balancing that with real life isn’t always easy.
There were also moments of self-doubt. I’d catch myself wondering if what I was building would actually work out the way I envisioned, or if it would turn into something completely different. When you’re creating something from scratch, there’s no guarantee. You just have to bet on yourself and trust the process.
What’s helped me is reminding myself of something I say often: “Energy flows where focus goes.” If I stay committed, stay focused, and lead with passion, things tend to move in the right direction. And even the hard moments end up teaching you something that pushes you forward.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What sets me apart is that I coach basketball as a teacher first. So many people forget that coaching is really teaching, and after 16 years in education working with kids at all different levels, I’ve learned how to connect with all types of personalities and learners, and really reach them. Basketball has given me so much, and I’ve been lucky to have great mentors along the way. My goal has always been to give back and do right by the game.
Having my own kids in the program gives me another perspective too. I understand what parents are going through because I’m living it myself. Too often, programs focus just on winning a tournament or collecting a medal, without really caring about the development of the kid. But trophies fade, medals get lost, and basketball eventually moves on, but the memories, friendships, and sense of community last forever. That’s what I want every player to take with them.
I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition along the way, being named California Community College Coach of the Year in 2015. But to my point, I honestly don’t even know where that award is now, but what I really carry are the memories of my teams, the kids I’ve coached, and the impact we have made together. That’s what I’m most proud of.

What does success mean to you?
For me, success is doing what you love and waking up each day feeling grateful that you get to help others. But it can’t come at the expense of family, family always comes first. That’s why Cali Gold isn’t just a program we run; it’s a family. We don’t just talk about it, we live it, and we make sure everyone feels it.
I also think success isn’t just about the end result. If you only focus on wins, trophies, or accolades, you miss the real value of the journey. The process, the growth, the relationships, the moments with the people around you, that’s what truly matters. Being present, enjoying the ride, and appreciating the people you’re with, that’s what success really is to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rbtcaligold.com
• Instagram: @rbtcaligold