Michael was born and raised in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and graduated from Old Dominion University. He was active in the Boy Scouts his entire childhood, earning the rank of Eagle Scout at the young age of 14. In Virginia, he worked in radio, and also started his acting career. His love of the outdoors which included rock climbing, camping, flying, and sailboat racing, quickly led to an affinity for stunt work. He is an Army Veteran, and currently serves in the California National Guard as a Blackhawk Helicopter Crew Chief, which takes him all over the state working with many different units, and missions types. He also actively fights fires every fire season, attached to CalFire.