Two Lives
I began my career in management consulting, thriving on success and working countless hours. Those early years were educational in many ways.
During my training as a coach and therapist, I deepened my connection with myself, allowing me to draw on a broad foundation of experience today.
My journey has taken me around the world with a backpack, up high mountains in Nepal, to sailing regattas, and into the quiet depths of freediving. Along the way, I survived a paragliding accident and a bomb explosion in the Middle East.
Life today has slowed down and become richer in connections. I am the proud father of two wonderful sons and have traded my fast car for a camper van.
Over the past three decades, working with people has become my life’s calling.
I have rebuilt fundamental beliefs about the world, left the hamster wheel behind, and found a balanced approach to leadership, self-awareness, and human connection—with more warmth, humor, and joy in life. I am deeply grateful to support others on their journeys.
In doing so, I allow myself to follow my heart’s desire. What remains is a deep gratitude—for life, for my teachers and mentors, and for the many wonderful souls who have helped and continue to support me.
I stay curious, for the journey continues.
Life, with all its messiness and beauty, moves me again and again.
References
Trusted by experienced leaders and wise mentors:
Dr Jennifer Garvey Berger, CEO Cultivating Leadership, Author, Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps and Changing on the Job.
"Michael combines a brilliant mind and open and curious spirit with a full and loving heart (and perhaps a dash of mischief). There is the expression “well-rounded” to describe someone who is multidimensional, but well-rounded is not quite multi-dimensional enough to describe Michael. He engages at every level—with the facility of a deeply experienced consultant and business leader, with the sensitivity of a highly skilled therapist, and with the creativity of an artist. I feel expanded and also grounded by my conversations with him and lucky to have him among my treasured advisors.”
Amy Elizabeth Fox, CEO, Mobius Executive Leadership
"Michael is a seasoned advisor and a loving practitioner who has studied the path of the mature masculine, attuned relationship and the arc of healing earlier hurts. He can accompany his clients in intimate and profound processes of self-exploration, integration and expansion."
Zafer Achi, Partner at Cultivating Leadership, Ex-McKinsey Director
"Michael brings to life and to his clients an extraordinarily precious combination: hard-nosed, analytically grounded business acumen; playful embrace of uncertainty; and the caring touch of a practiced therapist. If I were given the chance to do it all over again, I would emulate his boundless curiosity, I would match his humble pursuit of learning, including on the spiritual path, and I would dream of seeing wisdom blossom so early in myself."
Paul Dunion, EdD, teacher, author - "My Days with Emma" and "Wisdom", modern mystic
"Rather than viewing psychological resistance as an impediment to human development, Michael Lierow sees it as an act of self-care. From such a perspective there is no need to struggle and fight with change. Transformation becomes an invitation leading to depth and meaning, ushered in by gentleness and acceptance."