Michael is a recovering food addict who has lost more than 500 pounds in his life through yo-yo dieting. Once he recognized that he could be a Food Addict and took the necessary steps, he has successfully maintained a 150-pound weight loss for over 30 years.

Believing it was unfair that so many people struggled with their weight without knowing that more than just willpower could be at play, he moved into Food Addiction advocacy in the early 2000s and has remained active in the field ever since.

He co-founded the Food Addiction Institute alongside his mentor and friend, Phil Werdell, and authored the 2010 book Fat Boy Thin Man.

Michael joined the institute’s board shortly after Werdell’s memorial service in 2023 and has served as Chairman since April 2024.