Meet the Coach

Michael Hyder

building my own brain and the brains of other men…

I began studying the application of neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology with books I would listen to while I was driving to my different practice locations as a therapist (the most influential being the book Mindsight by Daniel Siegel). It was the perfect brain fuel for me to then apply to my sessions with my clients.

It helped me “see” what was really going on in the brain. I could get a palpable, tangible sense of the world inside.

This was particularly helpful to my male clients, who wanted more than just affirmations about how it is helpful to feel their feelings. Instead I would talk about how our judgmental thoughts create constriction in the brain, like two fists trying to move when they are jammed together.

I then began to get a vision of packaging this and making it more accessible to men. I knew there was a need because of how men are often raised and reinforced to be less aware of their emotions and instead focus on being fixers and doers, living life in the concrete. This is not always a bad thing, however to have successful modern work lives and relationships at home, we need much more than being able to work with our hands. We need to build our brains.

On my own time, I’m doing family time with my wife and two daughters, trying to get out in nature, watching my alma mater Michigan State Spartans play basketball or football, and engaging mind and body in health and spirituality.