Socratic Warrior

Bridging Ancient Wisdom with Modern High Performance

Welcome to Socratic Warrior

I’m Michael W. Martin Jr.—retired Navy veteran, PhD candidate in psychology, world champion powerlifter, performance coach, and lifelong learner.

For decades, I’ve pursued one guiding mission: to understand why some people achieve their highest potential while others stall—despite having the same knowledge and opportunities. This pursuit has become my research, my philosophy, and my brand.

At Socratic Warrior, I combine the rigor of academia, the grit of military and athletic training, and the timeless insights of Stoic philosophy to help high performers in every arena—military, sports, business, academics, and the arts—overcome the barriers that hold them back.

My Current Work

  • Doctoral Research: My dissertation investigates performance paralysis—why we don’t always do what we know we should do—focusing first on U.S. military personnel. This research is designed not just for academia but to create practical frameworks and tools for real-world success.

  • Teaching & Speaking: I’m building programs, communities, and resources that help leaders, athletes, and professionals apply psychological science and Stoic philosophy to achieve peak performance.

  • Socratic Warrior Platform: Through YouTube, LinkedIn, Skool, and published articles, I share strategies, reflections, and conversations designed to challenge your thinking, inspire action, and create lasting change.

The Philosophy

The name Socratic Warrior reflects two enduring truths:

  • Every warrior faces obstacles—both internal and external—that test their resolve.

  • Asking the right questions (the Socratic method) is often more powerful than being given answers.

I believe the path to high performance is not about chasing hacks or quick wins, but about cultivating clarity, discipline, resilience, and purpose—qualities that endure across every domain of life.

Join the Movement

  • Learn: Explore articles, videos, and courses that cut through noise and focus on what truly works.

  • Connect: Join the growing Socratic Warrior community on LinkedIn and Skool—where leaders and learners challenge each other to rise higher.

  • Apply: Put philosophy into practice through coaching, consulting, and performance frameworks grounded in science and sharpened by real-world experience.

A Final Word

As Socrates said: “I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think.”

Socratic Warrior exists to make you think deeply, act boldly, and live fully. If you’re ready to break through barriers and move from knowing to doing, you’re in the right place.

Your pursuit of excellence starts here.