Over the past seventeen years, I’ve had the privilege of writing books, delivering keynotes to hundreds of thousands of people, bringing wellness strategies to schools and businesses, and leading international self-empowerment events. To say it’s been a dream come true would be an understatement—from partnerships and publishing deals to sharing stages with world-renowned authors and speakers, I feel immensely blessed that my work has reached people globally.

However, while I’m proud of these and other accomplishments, humility is essential to any success story. As I’ve learned (the hard way), our dreams can quickly turn to dust on any given day. This reality hit me at the peak of my career—well into my 40s and convinced I had finally “made it,” I would soon discover that life had other plans.

In the years that followed, I faced everything from divorce and financial struggles to health issues and depression, lost three friends to cancer, navigated complicated relationships, battled chronic anxiety, confronted my childhood trauma, and worked through my struggles related to my father’s suicide. Coupled with a career-crushing pandemic, I found myself in a full-blown midlife identity crisis.

There is a saying in the East: Fall down seven times, stand up eight. Although I find this idea encouraging, sometimes, to stand up, we need others to pull us to our feet. At least, this was the case for me. Had it not been for the kindness of family, friends, my loving partner, a good therapist, and, strangely enough, a few shamanic healers and medicine women along the way (it’s a long story), I doubt I’d be here now.

Midlife has been a wild ride. But despite the ass-kicking and countless changes—including changing my last name (another long story involving shamanic healers and medicine women)—I realize that without these experiences, I would not be who or where I am today. Most importantly, these lessons have made me more compassionate toward those facing their own struggles. As a result, it has fueled my passion to help guide others out of the darkness and back into the light.

If you’re going through your own dark night of the soul, remember you’re not alone. I may not know you personally or your story, but I care. Not because it’s my “job” as a wellness guide and teacher but because I’ve been there, and I know what it feels like to be knocked to the ground.

So even if you have “fallen down seven times” (or eight, nine, or even ten), never give up. Because in the end, I can promise you that the fight is worth it. But should you ever find yourself stuck and needing support, know there’s a hand extended here—an ally who will help to get you back on your feet again.

— Michael