Spotlight on Guide Michael: Riding the wave of a new career

GetSetUp discovered Michael, who had been working on various platforms as a professional writer, ghostwriter, and business mentor. GetSetUp reached out to see if he would be interested in bringing his skills to the GetSetUp community.

“The GetSetUp concept appealed to me. I decided to give it a try! It has been a very pleasant experience, and I have found that the support staff wants to help – an unusual experience in many companies. There is always support just a click away on Slack. I found this reassuring. Now I love getting into the classroom, socializing, and sharing information. The seniors attending are such fun and often interactive.”

Michael has decades of experience in business, one-on-one, and classroom training, even writing his own training material. However, he had not taught online before. While he had done some voluntary coaching on Skype, GetSetUp helped him enhance his Zoom skills. Like many people, prior to the pandemic, he worked face-to-face with his clients. Although there was a learning curve with the technology portion of teaching at GetSetUp, he adapted to it seamlessly.

“GetSetUp is advancing in leaps and bounds by bringing qualified technical staff to the company. I love the people interaction in GetSetUp in and out of the virtual classroom, more so than previously in my career. Having my wife work with me is also incredibly special.”

A Life of Learning, Writing, and Healing

Michael was already tech-savvy before joining GetSetUp. He had held high positions in companies and launched international franchises in his country, winning many marketing awards. He has started many of his own businesses, managed his marketing, and built up these small ventures.

Michael was painfully ill for many years, to the point where he had to use a wheelchair. He decided to change his lifestyle and researched various foods and alternative medicine. Through blogs, vlogs, and articles, he documented his journey to recovery.

Over the years, Michael developed painful legs and feet and had trouble walking. He began a self-healing journey through trial and error. He opened a YouTube channel, created a website, and started sharing his journey to heal his body from aches, pains, and other health issues. He has also published a book, many eBooks, and short articles based on research and his personal journey to a healthier life. He is now free of all leg pains.

Teaching and Creating at GetSetUp

Michael started at GetSetUp by teaching Introduction to Zoom classes, which he continues to teach. He said it was a great way for him to continue honing his Zoom skills. He also teaches several other classes on technology apps like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and more.

Currently, he teaches 12 classes on GetSetUp, including technology apps and two classes he designed himself. The classes he created include Growing Microgreens in Your Home and Steps for Creating a Unique Business Idea from Home.

“I especially love teaching the classes that are 100% my own idea and design. It is fun to put together the content and then share it in a class.”

Michael's class on microgreens reflects his passion for gardening and health. He also enjoys blogging and vlogging about both. In his spare time, he spends time in the garden, growing microgreens, reading science fiction like Star Trek adventures, and painting whatever captures his imagination.

“Now I’m 100% fit and I’m really grateful for it. I left my website with the eBooks, articles, and videos freely available for anyone to download to help them discover that the road to self-healing starts with your microbiome and the microorganisms in your gut.”

In addition to alternative healing research, Michael is passionate about helping people find what they are born to do. That is why he teaches Steps for Creating a Unique Business Idea from Home.

“At this senior phase in our life cycle, many people are largely dealing unconsciously with their subconscious. They are trying to find what they were born to do. However, often one’s logical mind gets in the way. I love teaching how to get past that in my Business Ideas class.”

Michael understands the challenges of starting businesses, having done so throughout his life. He also mentors others using his IIB accreditation (Institute for Independent Business).

New Beginnings at Any Age

He genuinely enjoys all the GetSetUp learners and the opportunity to start a new career at 72. Michael and his wife recently moved from South Africa to Australia to help care for some of Sue’s grandchildren. While the culture has its differences, Michael has been able to feel at home with his online community and his beloved wife.

“For me, home is with my wife. We could go anywhere, and that would be home. Plus, I keep in contact on a weekly basis with my children and grandchildren through social media. It is nice because you can see them face to face. The only difference is you aren’t in the same room to feel the same energy and touch.”

Michael has moved around a lot throughout his life. His nine children have recently moved to new countries with their spouses. He looks forward to traveling and exploring new places to see them. His work as a writer, and now on GetSetUp, makes it easy for him to move countries and change lifestyles in his exploration of new knowledge and experiences.

“I really feel like I’ve come home when it comes to GetSetUp. I want to get out of bed in the morning because I now have an exciting career. I want to make a career out of this for the next 30 years and teach as many as perhaps four classes a day and spend the balance of each day researching new ideas. I hope in the future to design more classes myself.”

Michael is ready to take on any class topic and research it to become an expert and pass that knowledge on to others. In his spare time, he enjoys learning about world politics, alternative health, spiritual development, and staying abreast of technology.

Join Michael in a GetSetUp class to see how technology and learning a new skill can enhance your life!