Over the past eighteen 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 at any moment. This reality hit me in my mid-40s, at the peak of my career, when I was convinced I had finally “made it.” I would soon discover that life had other plans.

As I entered midlife and the years that followed, I faced everything from divorce and financial difficulties to health issues and chronic depression. I lost three friends to cancer, navigated complex relationships, battled recurring anxiety, confronted 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 identity crisis.

There is a saying in the East: “Fall seven times, stand up eight.” While I find this idea encouraging, sometimes we need others to lift us up when we’re down. At least, that was the case for me. Thanks to the support of my family, friends, a loving partner, and, strangely enough, a few shamanic healers and medicine women I met along the way (it’s a long story), I found the strength to keep moving forward while creating an entirely new life for myself.

Midlife has been a wild ride. But despite the challenges and countless changes—including changing my last name to cut ties with a dark family history (another long story involving shamanic healers and medicine women)—I realize that without these experiences, I would not be where I am today. Most importantly, the lessons learned throughout these years have deepened my compassion for others. This ultimately led to a new mission: helping those who feel lost in midlife find their way back into the light.

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

So, even if you’ve “fallen seven times” (or eight, nine, or even ten), refuse to give up. I promise that the fight will be worth it in the end. But if you ever feel stuck or need a hand, know there’s someone here to help—a friend and compassionate ally ready to lift you back on your feet again.

—Michael