Q&A with Michael Soares: Boston Fitness Coach & Founder of New Human

Boston’s fitness community is built on leaders who think beyond workouts — and Michael Soares is one of them.

As the founder of New Human, Michael has built a training philosophy centered on athletic movement, accessibility, and helping people reconnect with the strength they already have. From coaching thousands through Seaport Sweat to scaling a digital platform that’s reached tens of thousands, his work blends innovation with intention.

We caught up with Michael to talk about his journey into fitness, how New Human came to life, what he’s building toward next.

Q&A with Michael Soares

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you first got started in fitness?I’ve always been fascinated by movement and biomechanics, and I initially got into fitness because I wanted to better understand health after seeing family members struggle with issues like high blood pressure. I wanted to become the person who could help solve those problems.

1. What inspired you to create New Human, and how has it evolved since the early days?One of my clients once told me I should build an app when I didn’t have time to train him, which led me to explore online coaching just before COVID. When the pandemic hit, we already had systems in place, grew to over 1,000 members on the app, and have now worked with over 40,000 people through events, online coaching, and our platform.

1. What gap in the fitness space were you hoping to fill when you launched it?We wanted to help former athletes rediscover their inner athlete without needing a “perfect” routine. Instead of traditional bro-split programs, we focus on mobility, jumping, sprinting, and real athletic movement so people can feel strong and capable again.
   
1. What kind of community are you intentionally building through your work?We’re building an inclusive community that welcomes all fitness levels and reminds people that there’s an athlete inside everyone. Fitness shouldn’t feel intimidating — it should feel empowering.
   
1. How has the Boston fitness scene influenced your journey as a coach and founder?Boston has an incredible fitness culture, from the Boston Marathon to year-round community events. Teaching free Seaport Sweat classes for six years allowed me to train thousands of people weekly and shaped how I lead both in-person and online communities.
   
1. What are you building toward over the next few years, and what excites you most about what’s ahead?I’m focused on expanding our online presence and scaling what we’ve built. We’ve planted a lot of seeds over the years, and watching that momentum compound is incredibly exciting.
   
1. What’s a common misconception about fitness that you wish people understood?That you need the perfect time or perfect program to start. Fitness is about consistency — even as a professional, I train three to four times a week on a good week because real life always factors in.
   
1. How do you reset when you’re feeling burnt out or off balance?I simplify. A light yoga session, a 10-minute mobility flow, or a walk with my wife and our dog helps me reset — simple movement creates clarity.
   
1. What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you outside of fitness?I’m a huge anime fan and watch it daily, which inspired me to start training jiu-jitsu. I also have 40 tattoos.
   
1. Lightning Round

Morning or evening workouts? Morning — it’s easier to stay disciplined before the day starts negotiating with you.

Go-to coffee (or tea) order? Caramel iced latte with whole milk from Dunkin’.

Song guaranteed to hype you up? Pump It by Black Eyed Peas

Michael’s approach to fitness is a reminder that strength isn’t about chasing perfect programs — it’s about building sustainable habits, rediscovering your inner athlete, and showing up consistently.

Through New Human, he’s creating space for people at every level to feel capable, challenged, and supported — both in Boston and beyond.

You can follow Michael on Instagram at @coachmichael and @new_human to learn more about their coaching, events, and community.

You can also catch Michael in action at our Spring Break (A Sweat) event on March 8, where he’ll be bringing his energy and coaching style to the Fit Scene community. If you haven’t grabbed your spot yet, consider this your sign.

🗓 Event:Spring Break (A Sweat)

📍 Location: PKL in South Boston

📆 Date & Time: Sunday, March 8 | 10:00am - 12:00pm

🎟 Tickets: $35 - Click here to register