Michael grew up in Southern California with his three siblings and wonderful parents. At the age of 18 months, Michael contracted spinal meningitis and became deaf. Thanks to excellent schooling and the dedication of his mother Teri, he learned to speak and read lips with amazing accuracy. Michael grew to love sports and played varsity Water Polo and Volleyball at University High School.

While in high school Michael began learning American Sing Language. He continued to improve his abilities as he served a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaching deaf individuals in Rochester, New York. Upon his return, Michael moved to Utah to attend Utah Valley State College majoring in Economics. While in Utah, he met his sweet wife Justine. They were married in June 2007 and decided to move to Colorado a year later to be close to Justine's family.

Michael played Water Polo in the 2000 Deaf Olympics in Rome, Italy and he is currently training with the Deaf National Volleyball team in hopes of attending the 2009 Deaf Olympics in Tai Pei, Taiwan.