As an independent professional wrestler and promoter for ten years, starting at the age of 16, Mike Kinney developed a process to create the character "Cowboy" Gator Magraw for the wrestling world. He discovered more about himself than he bargained for as he translated those lessons into his everyday life after leaving the ring- releasing a book and speaking at Ted Talks. Kinney earned his BA in English from Minnesota State University, Mankato and his MBA with the University of Phoenix. He is a veteran of the Army National Guard.