Purple Heart Veteran, Trauma Survivor, Business Consultant, Keynote Speaker and Life Coach

Michael W. Allison
Purple Heart Veteran, Trauma Survivor, Business Consultant, Keynote Speaker, Life Coach,
and CEO of The Adversity Academy. Michael Allison is a resilient and determined entrepreneur who has overcome immense adversity in his life. Originally from Jamaica, Michael’s early years were marked by the devastation of Hurricane Gilbert, which left his family homeless. When his parents migrated to the United States in search of a better life, Michael faced further challenges as he grew up in the rough Miami neighborhoods of Overtown, Little Haiti, Opa-Locka and Carol City experiencing childhood trauma, hazing, bullying and significant injuries in high school that derailed his dreams of going to college and playing football in the NFL.

Michael’s life took another unexpected turn when he joined the US Marine Corps and honorably served for eight years, during the aftermath of 9/11 and the Al Fallujah Iraq War. He witnessed the horrors of war and suffered from PTSD, TBI, and other mental health challenges upon returning home. Despite facing personal struggles, including divorce, custody battles, financial hardship, and attempt of suicide, Michael was determined to turn his life around.

With unwavering resilience and a commitment to personal growth through life’s adversities, Michael pursued higher education, obtaining an MBA in Business and a BS in Information Security. He also sought specialized training for PTSD, TBI, Frame Control, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Cognitive Thinking at prestigious institutions like Rush University Medical Center and Emory Healthcare Veterans Program. Overcoming his adversities and challenges, Michael became a leader in his community and across the globe by sharing his story of resilience and helping others through several men’s group, church groups, at-risk youth programs, veterans organizations, and on various media platforms.

Success is the result of aligning your true identity with your life’s decisions, directions and destination. As an entrepreneur, Michael has started multiple successful franchises, businesses and has been recognized for his achievements, by INC 5000, Franchise Consultant, US Times and being awarded the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award from his Alma Mater Indiana Wesleyan University. He has been featured in prominent media outlets like TEDx, FOX, ESPN, BET, CNN, NBC, WE Empower | Educate, and CBS, among others. Michael’s mission in life is to inspire, empower, and make a positive impact in people’s lives and business through his Adversity Academy Programs, drawing on his personal experiences to guide and mentor others on their own journeys to overcome adversity and thrive.