Michael grew up in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and played football at Oak Ridge High School where he was an all-region offensive and defensive lineman. He graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 2003. He attended Centre College in Danville, Ky., where he majored in Spanish and history. Michael earned all-conference honors as a member of both the football and track teams while at Centre. He also had the opportunity to study abroad in England, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Nicaragua. Michael’s trip to Nicaragua inspired him to seek employment in Latin America after graduation, and he accepted a position teaching English in Valladolid, Mexico. Michael met his wife, Lissie, while working in Mexico. They have since moved back to Oak Ridge, where they live with their son and daughter.