- He's certified as a Chief Instructor in the traditional Northern Shaolin Monastery kung-fu system, Seven-Star Praying Mantis and Tai Chi Praying Mantis kung-fu systems, the 18 Law Horn (Shaolin Lohan) kung-fu system, Tai Chi Chuan, Hsing-I and Pa-Kua; as well as Chi Kung, Iron Palm and Piercing Hand Techniques, and traditional Northern Shaolin weaponry. In 1993, he was awarded notarized ownership/directorship of the Tai Mantis Kung-Fu Association, which was originally founded by kung-fu masters Liang Kam Yuen, Paul Eng and Kwok Jone ("Raymond") Wong.
- Plays the piano, bamboo flute, drums and various percussion instruments well. He's also studied the violin, trumpet, French horn and baritone horn.
- Credits actor David Carradine for getting him started as a stunt performer. Carradine and his signature role of Kwai Chang Caine from the original Kung Fu (1972) series was also a childhood hero and martial arts inspiration for him.
- For many years, he was involved in music composing, film scoring and audio post-production for film and video. Along with creative partner Sean Mulligan, they formed the nucleus of the collaborative music entity known as "Plutonian Shore". The duo focused primarily on film scoring endeavors, along with several instrumental works, beginning with their first commercial album, 1998's "Arcana". While Plutonian Shore was essentially an electronic studio "band", they produced many different genres and styles of music, including those in the realms of orchestral, middle-eastern/world and progressive rock. Sean Mulligan handled all of the acoustic and electric guitar chores, while Michael performed all of synthesizers, samplers and percussion. Michael formally retired from his musical pursuits and projects in 2008.
- He's a fan of horror, science-fiction and fantasy films, particularly the classic Hammer films and Universal monster movies.
- His primary Chinese martial arts teacher, Grandmaster Kam Yuen, was also the Technical Kung-Fu Advisor on the original '70s Kung Fu (1972) television series. Yuen also instructed David Carradine.
- He's a fan of filmmaker John Carpenter and his movies.
- Almost immediately after he was hired to stunt double David Carradine on Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993), a Warner Bros. executive sent him to veteran stunt coordinator Chuck Waters to get a "crash course" in professional stunt work. After getting lost on the way to Waters' home, he stopped at a convenience store for directions where he bumped into Charlton Heston, who very kindly pointed him in the right direction.
- Known to be proficient in the use of many weapons, such as traditional kung-fu weaponry, various Japanese/Okinawan weapons, batons, nightsticks and whips, as well as knife-throwing and archery.
- His father was a former Marine combat veteran and experienced horseman, while his step-father is a former Green Beret and decorated Vietnam War veteran.
- Has successfully raised praying mantises in captivity over the years.
- Credits Al Leong as one of his martial arts teachers, as well as a stunt mentor. The two met in 1993 while working on Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993).
- A fan of western movies and television shows.
- He's reputed to be one-quarter Blackfoot Native American from his father's side of the family, and one-quarter Iroquois Native American from his mother's side.
- In August of 2005, he formed Voodoo Swamp Entertainment and its subsidiary, Voodoo Swamp Comics, for the purpose of developing and producing comic books, graphic novels, "pulp" illustrated novels, games, and independent film projects.
- In addition to his many years of experience in Chinese martial arts, he also retains a 1st-degree black belt in Okinawa-te karate.
- He's an avid vintage comic book collector.
- Founded the Northern Shaolin/Praying Mantis Kung-Fu Association in 2004, the supervisory body and international headquarters of the Northern Shaolin/Praying Mantis Kung-Fu System, the traditional Chinese martial art style that he teaches. It is also the name of his kwoon (kung-fu school).
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