Michael Weese
Michael Weese, founder and sole owner/operator of MushroomLife, is an autodidact in every sense. A well rounded educator and humble lifetime student of the biological world, an international innovator, expert, and all around enthusiast within the field of mycology (which is a highest joy in supporting the advancing of) and a true proponent of sovereignty, and self empowerment. Through sustainable practices such as permaculture, wild crafting, and tribal revival, which he feels is a well integrated and multi-faceted way of embodied networking with people, skills, and resources, on all levels. Michael's life is normally invested between the forest, the lab, the garden/yard, and the kitchen while always juggling the powerballs of inspire, immerse and apply. His life's work is a mixed application of areas from permaculture consultation and design to full implementation with project oversight, laboratory alchemy to taxonomy, extraction to chemistry, bio-prospecting to product development and formulation, body sculpting and fitness training to meditation and mindfulness practices. An eclectic and highly adept life coach and mentor that has supported in 1000s of people making lasting shifts for the positive. With more than three decades of biological and fungal, herbalism, bodywork and wellness (western, eastern, ethno, entheo-botanical), and spiritual experiential knowledge and insights, Michael is one of those rare gems that has a way of making people feel at home while exploring new frontiers.
Having traveled much of North and Central America in pursuit of mushroom and mycology based adventures and discovery himself, Michael’s influence has spanned the globe. As each new person he meets is gifted a new set of eyes from which to witness the world, so too are those around them, and outward. Initiating those ripples of change anywhere and everywhere receptive to it, and possibly a nudge more.
Michael is administrator to several very large online forums reaching and helping hundreds of thousands of people currently, and potentially millions over the years with the intentions of spreading fungal awareness and enthusiasm, promoting citizen science and education, and decreasing apathy toward nature through the constant demonstration of fungal beauty, diversity, and utility. After the North American Mycological Association's request to start a Maryland based chapter over a decade ago, he decided to create Maryland Mushrooms and Mycology, an active home state group that has over 11k members today. Michael’s artistically keen eye for the most intriguing mycological photos and specimens, has captivated his audience and landed his work in "The National Audubon's Guide to North American Mushrooms", and “The Journal of Wild Mushrooming" as well in countless educational presentations across the globe, including many google searches.
His three decade long admiration of the alchemical model and philosophy has compelled Michael to seek out the purely distilled gems of meaning that seem universal for us all. A true adept with articulation of these complex concepts, his passion for the transmutation of base ingredients, from herbs to mental constructs, is obvious in his dedication to his craft, community, and self. He is truly committed to the manifestation of some of the most opulent and effective herbal confections possible. Celestially/energetically aligned, full of revitalizing force and steeped with intent from inception to conception, Michael’s products have the signature of the utmost awareness of detail and quality. Stopping at no cost to ensure every step humanly possible was taken to deliver the most potent extract one could in a safe liquid form from that given natural product. The intersection of alchemy and mushroom enthusiasm was his main inspiration behind the one of a kind, transformative products offered through Mushroomlife. A disciple of art that fills in almost all space that mycology doesn't in this operator's life experience.
Michael's previous work in the wellness and bodywork profession, crossed with extensive multi decade deep dives into mental training/meditation, movement systems, body sculpting, nutrition, plant/fungal/animal medicines, martial arts and transformational programs, have also led many friends and strangers alike to seek out Michael's coaching. With thirty years meditation practice, and twelve years spent in a temple under the tutelage of two ordained monks, he is sufficiently adequate at supporting a return to inner truth, peace and power. What exactly is it that is keeping you from being immersed in your highest excitement? Michael loves to dissolve these obstacles with you. His non-traditional path through life has bestowed a rich well of wisdom to pull from, and he loves to support in guiding his peers to bliss if possible, by aiding in perspective shifts, as well as introduction and encouragement of mindfulness and life practices that radically change one's reality, slowly but surely. Taking the time to truly hear and hold each person's story and feelings as valid, facilitating the space needed by many who have never had the opportunity to unpack events, then evaluating if that serves, and finally questioning beliefs if it doesn't, and following up with tribal integration. By popular demand of our fast paced community Michael is offering one on one coaching or consult sessions to help you get the most enjoyment possible from your life experience.
Sometimes these shifts require a more comprehensive approach, and Michael is just as excited to take you on a more fully immersive experience with his Natural Abundance Immersion Retreat series that he and associates developed and help facilitate. Witnessing his comfort in the forest, and intimate knowledge of the flora, fauna, and funga all around us will surely tantalize your inner child, scientist, and naturophile.
Michael’s interest in elevating base ingredients to the utmost possible brought him to the study of water as well as the discovery of structured water. After witnessing the healing power of ultra pure, structured, and ionized water first hand through overcoming Lyme and chronic digestive flair, he is now a distributor of the best known certified medical device, gold standard grade, water filters and ionizers on the planet. Through the implementation of structured pure, yet mineralized water, Michael is certain addition of this to every family's home could save and extend millions of lives, tons of waste, and create a world with a lot less plastic. He is always willing to offer a free scheduled water consultation upon request when you contact him.
Michael's next compass point on the map is funding and constructing a full lab for all current, as well as expanded, manufacturing projects. As well as PCR, barcoding and DNA sequencing using high throughput technology and a full analytics capabilities for bioprospecting. He is hopeful to not only add to the well of fungal phylogenetic and taxonomic knowledge, but also to spread awareness of the importance of biodiversity and potentially lend a sharper edge to the swords of natural conservation. Michael knows that new and or rare species, as well as designated conserved lands, ensure greater potential for long term ecological studies so crucial for our sustainability as humans.
His obsession of reaching and positively impacting as many sq ft of earth as possible has also led to in depth study of soil ecology, chemistry, nutrient cycling, increasing water tables, and food forestry/permaculture techniques. Through Michael's patient and steady application of the many skills learned he has help facilitate and witness the transformation of many properties into more productive sustainable homesteads and urban lots. He is supporting anyone serious about making a difference on their lands in implementing permaculture design, and executing the plans with oversight.
Always striving to take the arts, interests, and passions of his chosen field to the next level, Michael is confident a healthy relationship with the hyphae, science, and inter-kingdom tribe is the way forward for humankind, and is almost certain anyone would be happier with more mushrooms and wildlife in their experience. Should you ever extend him an invitation, your life will most certainly be enriched through fungal, natural, and or community based affairs.
