Michael attended Stanford University, then University of Southern California, with degree in Physical Therapy. He lives in Mill Valley, California. Michael spent over 30 years volunteering with Earth Island Institute, focusing on using ocean sailing and racing to support the Dolphin Safe Tuna campaign, and Save Japan Dolphins to stop the capture and slaughter of dolphins in Taiji, Japan. Michael made three attempts to break the solo sailing record from San Francisco to Tokyo to raise awareness. In 2018, he purchased a former fishing lodge on Double Bay, Hanson Island, BC. For the past five years, Michael has been rebuilding the facility to create the infrastructure for Double Bay Sanctuary to be the retirement home for Corky, the northern resident orca captive at SeaWorld, San Diego.