On the surface, Michael led what most would consider a typical, privileged life—stable family, good schooling, and a solid social network. There were no obvious warning signs. But beneath the surface, a very different reality was unfolding. From the age of 13, he began experiencing persistent psychological strain—undetected by those around him and, initially, unrecognised even by himself. It wasn’t until a university psychology class that the pieces began to fall into place. As the professor outlined the criteria for anxiety and depression, Michael realised—with striking clarity—that what he had endured for years had a name.

At 18, that moment of clarity prompted action. He reached out to his sister, who encouraged him to speak to a doctor. The clinical assessment that followed was sobering—the doctor remarked that his scores were among the most severe she had encountered. While the feedback was stark, it became the catalyst for a shift in direction.

What followed was not a straightforward recovery. He faced relapses, including two suicide attempts. But in the midst of that despair, Michael made a defining decision: if he were to consider a third attempt, it would only come after exhausting every available form of treatment. This promise, rooted in respect for the unshakable support of his father, set the stage for a relentless search for healing.

Over the next several years, he committed himself to a process of disciplined trial and error—conventional therapy, naturopathy, nutritional strategies, pharmaceuticals, cold exposure, meditation, and even ayahuasca ceremonies in the Amazon. The approach was systematic: discard what didn’t work, double down on what did. Slowly, the fog began to lift.