Mike was born in Boston, MA having lived in and around the area until leaving for Air Force Basic Training a week after graduating High School. It was there that Mike would begin his career as an Air Force Law Enforcement Specialist. Upon completing 4 years active duty, he would spend another 34 years in civilian policing. He worked as a Patrol Officer, Detective, Task Force Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Detective Commander, Deputy Chief, and completed his final two years as acting Chief of Police. Mike lives in Foxborough, MA with his two teenage sons.
While working as a task force officer and detective, Mike spent 18 years as a digital forensics’ expert on various state and federal task forces investigating Crimes Against Children where he was exposed to unimaginable trauma. In addition to carrying the weight of those memories and decades of police responses to horrific scenes, his final years were filled with the pressures of a toxic institutional bureaucracy and local politics. Those experiences would leave him with intense emotional struggles that seemed impossible to overcome.
As Chief, Mike had a chance encounter with Rob Swartz, our New England Regional Director, where he was introduced to the Struggle Well program. After hosting some of the first classes in New England for his officers, he attended a 5-day program in Tucson, AZ. Later that year he would also attend PATHH. “The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” These words from Joseph Campbell became a guiding mantra for him. Despite his hesitation to share his story publicly, he knew that opening up could help others overcome their struggles and that it was a crucial step in his own growth and healing. Today, Mike shares his story as a Master Struggle Well and PATHH Guide allowing him to connect with like-minded people who share his desire for a more authentic and joyful life. That joy is now grounded in being fully present for his teenage sons who are the light of his life!
