Mike (he/him/his) grew up on Bainbridge Island, Washington and lives in Bend, Oregon with his family.  Mike earned his undergraduate degrees from the University of Washington (B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Environmental Studies) fueling his curiosity and interest in the natural world.  Mike found wilderness therapy and was amazed by the powerful transformations that occur in an outdoor therapeutic environment, inspiring him to pursue an entire career in wilderness therapy. Mike earned his Master’s in Psychology from Seattle University, and moved to the Big Island of Hawai’i, where he worked as a Primary Therapist and Director of Family Services at a well known outdoor therapy program.  Mike pursued training in the NeuroSequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), attaining an  individual certification and overseeing the Hawai’i program’s site certification.  Mike’s certification in NMT allowed him to study the nervous system’s response to trauma, and specific approaches to brain mapping and regulating techniques. 

Mike’s commitment to learning and personal growth evolved.  He developed his business acumen, applying strategic marketing concepts and capturing new business opportunities with a focus on clinical outreach. Mike’s nearly 20 year career in wilderness therapy is a critical component that informs the empathic and collaborative business perspective he maintains today. Mike is thrilled to collaborate with his True North colleagues, and enjoys the many facets of business development.

Adventure and personal drive have played a central role in Mike’s life, contributing to his laser focus and playful personality.  Mike has traveled in 26 countries, climbed technical granite peaks all over Western North America, and raced 100 mile ultramarathons through deserts and snowy mountain ranges.  Mike’s thirst to push his personal edge and fine tune the mental toughness needed to accomplish huge feats is integral to his being. Mike has a wonderful little family in Bend,Oregon. Mike and Catie enjoy fun family adventures especially taking their labradoodle Mousse LeMutt for long hikes.