Written and photographed by Russ Benning
As a bonafide word-nerd and an ever vigilant student of life, I relish the opportunity to use our monthly topics to deep dive in something of a learning side-quest. This month has been interesting to explore the theme of peace, allowing the nuance to unravel upon my keen scrutiny.
As usual there are several levels to our theme and today we will be honing in on the former definition as per Oxford Languages—“Freedom from disturbance; Tranquility”, which lends itself to the local implications. When I say local, I mean, of the individual level versus that of the global, which would take us down a very different and arguably more complicated path.
Simultaneously exciting and terrifying, the notion of inner peace, as it’s name would suggest, denotes an inside job. The fact it is our solo-levelling journey can be thrilling to some and unbearable to others. Also these polarities can be oscillated during various stages of an individuals journey.
Knowing how difficult this human experience can be, devoid of a true sense of inner peace, it’s bizarre that there is not a much higher priority placed on it’s nurturing. This month I spend time with a man who has made it his life’s work, directly or indirectly, and we share an enjoyable and uplifting few hours discussing the ins and outs of inner peace.
“I can honestly say, I’m genuinely excited to be alive,” Fraser Coast local since 2002, Michael Green shares, roughly midway through our conversation. He goes on to share the variety of influences and practices that keep him in such a state. It’s inspiring to hear and more-so considering he is so passionate about sharing this with our local community and I guess anyone who crosses his path.
As is often the case, the reason living a life of harmony, peace and purpose is of absolute importance to Michael is because it wasn’t always this way. In fact it was the complete opposite. If we rewind the clock back to his final year of high school, we find a very different young man.
Testament to the inner-work he has done since then, he recalls the most difficult time in his life with calm awareness. There is clearly an emotional sensitivity to this man that sits in contrast to his outer appearance, but the way he talks about that time is more matter of fact than from desperation.
He talks about the deep depression he was bound by and the constant feelings of desolation and confusion. Never was he able to feel like he was good enough or even belonged at all. Almost like an outcast or an alien in a country town. I feel great empathy as he even shares the darkest of thoughts leading to contemplations of self harm. He admits to being in a self destructive pattern.
I note that it’s as if he’s a poet trapped in a warrior’s body and the more we talk, the more I’m certain of it.
At some point in the darkness Michael found a spark— he found martial arts.
Initially starting with Muay Thai kickboxing and Hwa Rang Do Taekwondo he finds a home and mentors in the gym. The following years would have Michael try several different styles and groups adding certainty to this being the catalyst for his life-changing and metaphorically life saving transformation.
Having always felt a connection to something bigger than himself, he started to learn more about spirituality as he is intuitively guided to connect on a deeper level and use it as an anchor for his personal development.
He shares how the discipline and physical intensity was so important for his mental health journey. Pushing himself beyond what he thought he was capable of opened up layer after layer in his self-discovery. “It’s about the strength and courage, but more of an inner strength,” he shares. He goes on to talk about what he learned about holistic living, incorporating mind, body and spirit and the importance of each. He talks about how the physical nature of the practice is a reflection of the inner work required. He finds renewed confidence through enduring what he never thought was possible for him.
In hindsight he sees how important the whole journey was, including the darkness and the suffering. He is able to make sense of it all and put labels to feelings. Among other inspirations he notes Bruce Lee and Dan Millman (author of ‘Way of The Peaceful Warrior’) as pivotal for his growth.
Michael continues to expand himself and takes on professional fights in the mixed martial arts (MMA) space. Successful despite it’s brevity, he chose to end his career much earlier than he was physically capable. “It never truly felt quite right to me.” He concludes that his inner guidance is pushing him toward helping people, sharing his wisdom and knowledge, much more than being an actual warrior in the ring.
He continues to add skills and qualifications as well as deepening his own practice and connection to his higher self. The more he learns about martial arts and also the spiritual teachings that overlap (including yoga and meditation), he gets better at tuning into and trusting his higher self. Michael shares with me that the deeper it gets, the more he is able to recognise that he is simply a conduit for the universe to work through him.
Integrated Development Academy is his current business, of which Integrated Martial Arts Academy is one branch and is located now, in Hervey Bay. He highlights that it’s the holistic personal development sphere that is important. “Not just martial arts and fighting, it’s strength development, the spiritual side and empowerment with the meditation and the yoga.”
The monthly connected-thread, of course, being the part where he also works with the local schools to implement some of the activities and practices.
The academy runs a wide gamut of classes from combat to meditation and much more, all with a focus on pushing personal development based on wherever the individual is right now. Michael runs most but not all of the classes, allowing the space for long-term students to also become mentors and certified Martial Arts Instructors themselves.
He wants no recognition for his achievements by the way. In fact, this interview almost didn’t happen when he found out it was about him and not the academy! I made it as clear as I could that I’m a story teller first, and the message I’m getting loud and clear is that the whole point of all this is absolutely in line with what he wants. To encourage and inspire people of all ages to live their life to the fullest and to keep pushing themselves. The ripple effect of people living full, happy lives with purpose is that it gets expounded and expanded upon, reaching more people and so on.
“A true warrior can overcome the inclination of their ego and become an empowered, good hearted human being,” Michael says, indicating the difficulties and rewards associated with facing our inner selves. Towards the end of our time together he notes how grateful he is for this life, and all the friends, family and mentors that have helped him through this beautiful journey of life.
Sometimes humans have to experience detachment, depression and confusion in life to realise just how important the opposite is not just to the individual but the collective. Finding a sense of inner peace through hard work, connection through community and facing fears is such life changing work. Birthing courage, resilience and empowerment and then sharing that message through action is a heck of way to bring light into the world.
If this article brings you a little hope, sparks a little curiosity or perspective I wholeheartedly encourage you to prioritise your inner peace journey! Nothing on the outside can affect you at all if your inner resilience is unshakable.
To find out more head to: www.integratedacademy.com