PROGRAMS
SCHOOL TALKS
As I take students on a journey through my life, I connect with them on a deep level, offering honest insights into the consequences of risky choices and the power of personal transformation. I bring a message of hope, resilience, and the importance of making positive decisions before it’s too late. I have the ability to connect with teens on their level – highlighting the real-life consequences of risky choices and showing that change is possible. I take the audience on a journey through the realities of addiction, the weight of poor choices and the stark reality and truth about incarceration. But this isn’t just a story about struggle – it is a message of hope, resilience and redemption. Through honest reflection and my own personal testimony, I want to inspire others to make better choices, recognise red flags early and understand the true cost of going down the wrong path. This session doesn’t just preach – It connects. And that connection can save lives. Students leave the presentation more likely to make informed decisions as they move through the risk-taking years of their life.
I typically offer my service to students in years 9-12. A session will usually last 90 minutes, but I always work within a school’s timetable. My presentations are interactive and offer a unique look into a mapped-out prison cell, as well as questions and individual conversations at the end with any student who may wish to speak to me privately or in small groups. I include useful strategies for young people to use during a time in their life when risk-taking behaviours start emerging.
Individual & Group Mentoring Sessions
Through powerful talks, one-on-one mentoring, and group sessions, I guide students to recognise their potential, build resilience, and develop the tools they need to lead purposeful, positive lives. Whether working with individuals or groups, my goal is to educate, uplift, and create lasting change.
I offer weekly mentoring programs at schools in either group or individual settings with at risk or disengaged students. The program explicitly teaches life skills such as goal setting, conflict resolution, respectful relationships, positive and negative outlets, mindfulness, nutrition and exercise. I work collaboratively with staff members and parents/carers creating a comprehensive support network for each student.
PARENT/CARER SEMINARS
The parent and carer sessions are focused on the early warning signs and prevention of addiction, crime, incarceration, and mental illness in young people. Drawing from my own lived experience, I provide practical tools, insights, and strategies to help families better understand and support the challenges their children may face. These sessions create a safe space for real conversations, empowering parents and carers to intervene early, build stronger connections, and guide their young people toward safer, healthier futures.
These sessions often include my mum and dad who bring their own perspectives for participating parents to benefit from. The session allows questions and conversations between al participants.
TEACHER SEMINARS
Through the power of lived experience, I provide real world insight and perspective that goes beyond what textbooks and theory alone cannot offer. Offering practical strategies, early intervention tools, and a deeper understanding of the complex challenges that students may face.
These sessions are designed to help teachers recognise early warning signs and foster a more preventative school environment. I empower educators with the knowledge, empathy, and confidence to engage more effectively and build stronger connections with vulnerable and disengaged young people, creating safer, more supportive school communities.
Clinician Seminars
I deliver impactful sessions for clinicians, educators, and community leaders to better understand and respond to the complex intersections of addiction, crime, incarceration, and mental illness. Through the lens of my lived experience and professional insight, my sessions offer practical tools and real-world perspectives that deepen empathy and equip those on the front lines with the knowledge and tools needed to guide young people toward healthier more hopeful paths.
Through engaging, honest, and impactful sessions, I aim to inspire professionals to be proactive agents of change. Fostering resilience, breaking cycles, and helping individuals rewrite their futures before crisis takes hold.
WHAT THE Clinicians SAY
WHAT DID YOU RELATE TO THE MOST?
“The matter of fact manner in which the material was presented, it did not feel sanitized in nature and meant that Michael and his family were speaking from a sincere and genuine place.”
“I work in forensic youth mental health. The whole talk and especially hearing what his dad had to say was so helpful”
“the credibility of advice from someone with lived experience”
“The emphasis on importance of community support”
What did you find the most interesting?
“the description of how the slippery slope of small drug use moved to association with extreme criminal activity and then the recovery pathway.”
“it was all interesting! I loved the fact that your loved ones were there with you,”
“The overarching humanisation of someone who can find themselves within the judicial and forensic systems.”
“It was great to hear from both yours and your families’ perspective; that was very insightful”
“how he developed his insight with his mental illness”
“it was amazing. So engaging. One of the best PDs I’ve ever been to”
Has the information provided had an impact on you?
“the description of how the slippery slope of small drug use moved to association with extreme criminal activity and then the recovery pathway.”
“it was all interesting! I loved the fact that your loved ones were there with you,”
“The overarching humanisation of someone who can find themselves within the judicial and forensic systems.”
“It was great to hear from both yours and your families’ perspective; that was very insightful”
“how he developed his insight with his mental illness”
“it was amazing. So engaging. One of the best PDs I’ve ever been to”
Sports Club Seminars
I connect with athletes, coaches, and support staff to shed light on the challenges young people face on and off the field. These sessions are designed to build resilience, promote mental wellness, and create a culture of accountability, support, and informed choices. Helping teams stay strong, united, and focused on a positive future.
PROGRAMS
SCHOOL TALKS
As I take students on a journey through my life, I connect with them on a deep level, offering honest insights into the consequences of risky choices and the power of personal transformation. I bring a message of hope, resilience, and the importance of making positive decisions before it’s too late. I have the ability to connect with teens on their level – highlighting the real-life consequences of risky choices and showing that change is possible. I take the audience on a journey through the realities of addiction, the weight of poor choices and the stark reality and truth about incarceration. But this isn’t just a story about struggle – it is a message of hope, resilience and redemption. Through honest reflection and my own personal testimony, I want to inspire others to make better choices, recognise red flags early and understand the true cost of going down the wrong path. This session doesn’t just preach – It connects. And that connection can save lives. Students leave the presentation more likely to make informed decisions as they move through the risk-taking years of their life.
I typically offer my service to students in years 9-12. A session will usually last 90 minutes, but I always work within a school’s timetable. My presentations are interactive and offer a unique look into a mapped-out prison cell, as well as questions and individual conversations at the end with any student who may wish to speak to me privately or in small groups. I include useful strategies for young people to use during a time in their life when risk-taking behaviours start emerging.
Individual & Group Mentoring Sessions
Through powerful talks, one-on-one mentoring, and group sessions, I guide students to recognise their potential, build resilience, and develop the tools they need to lead purposeful, positive lives. Whether working with individuals or groups, my goal is to educate, uplift, and create lasting change.
I offer weekly mentoring programs at schools in either group or individual settings with at risk or disengaged students. The program explicitly teaches life skills such as goal setting, conflict resolution, respectful relationships, positive and negative outlets, mindfulness, nutrition and exercise. I work collaboratively with staff members and parents/carers creating a comprehensive support network for each student.
PARENT/CARER SEMINARS
The parent and carer sessions are focused on the early warning signs and prevention of addiction, crime, incarceration, and mental illness in young people. Drawing from my own lived experience, I provide practical tools, insights, and strategies to help families better understand and support the challenges their children may face. These sessions create a safe space for real conversations, empowering parents and carers to intervene early, build stronger connections, and guide their young people toward safer, healthier futures.
These sessions often include my mum and dad who bring their own perspectives for participating parents to benefit from. The session allows questions and conversations between al participants.
TEACHER SEMINARS
Through the power of lived experience, I provide real world insight and perspective that goes beyond what textbooks and theory alone cannot offer. Offering practical strategies, early intervention tools, and a deeper understanding of the complex challenges that students may face.
These sessions are designed to help teachers recognise early warning signs and foster a more preventative school environment. I empower educators with the knowledge, empathy, and confidence to engage more effectively and build stronger connections with vulnerable and disengaged young people, creating safer, more supportive school communities.
Clinician Seminars
I deliver impactful sessions for clinicians, educators, and community leaders to better understand and respond to the complex intersections of addiction, crime, incarceration, and mental illness. Through the lens of my lived experience and professional insight, my sessions offer practical tools and real-world perspectives that deepen empathy and equip those on the front lines with the knowledge and tools needed to guide young people toward healthier more hopeful paths.
Through engaging, honest, and impactful sessions, I aim to inspire professionals to be proactive agents of change. Fostering resilience, breaking cycles, and helping individuals rewrite their futures before crisis takes hold.
WHAT THE Clinicians SAY
WHAT DID YOU RELATE TO THE MOST?
“The matter of fact manner in which the material was presented, it did not feel sanitized in nature and meant that Michael and his family were speaking from a sincere and genuine place.”
“I work in forensic youth mental health. The whole talk and especially hearing what his dad had to say was so helpful”
“the credibility of advice from someone with lived experience”
“The emphasis on importance of community support”
What did you find the most interesting?
“the description of how the slippery slope of small drug use moved to association with extreme criminal activity and then the recovery pathway.”
“it was all interesting! I loved the fact that your loved ones were there with you,”
“The overarching humanisation of someone who can find themselves within the judicial and forensic systems.”
“It was great to hear from both yours and your families’ perspective; that was very insightful”
“how he developed his insight with his mental illness”
“it was amazing. So engaging. One of the best PDs I’ve ever been to”
Has the information provided had an impact on you?
“the description of how the slippery slope of small drug use moved to association with extreme criminal activity and then the recovery pathway.”
“it was all interesting! I loved the fact that your loved ones were there with you,”
“The overarching humanisation of someone who can find themselves within the judicial and forensic systems.”
“It was great to hear from both yours and your families’ perspective; that was very insightful”
“how he developed his insight with his mental illness”
“it was amazing. So engaging. One of the best PDs I’ve ever been to”
Sports Club Seminars
I connect with athletes, coaches, and support staff to shed light on the challenges young people face on and off the field. These sessions are designed to build resilience, promote mental wellness, and create a culture of accountability, support, and informed choices. Helping teams stay strong, united, and focused on a positive future.