Michael Weese
Michael Weese, founder and chief mycologist of MushroomLife, is an autodidact, forager, and all around fungal enthusiast in the Mid-Atlantic region. His life’s work involves wild foraging, ID studies, teaching, alchemy, herbalism, cultivation, (from agro-forestry to indoor tents or growhouses) product and formula development, consulting, photography, permaculture, and being a friend to nearly all he meets. Twenty nine years Michael has spent working with the hyphae has lent quite the diversified knowledge and experience base in this subject and many others scientifically adjacent.
Having traveled much of North America in pursuit of mushroom adventure and discovery himself, Michael’s influence has spanned the globe, as he inspires people to forage in the wild, and cultivate their own mushrooms as well as to tune into the many useful and fascinating applications mycology and related science has to offer. Through sharing his knowledge and experience online, in the classroom, and in the field, Michael invites others to explore their world with child-like wonder and a sense of curiosity that can never be quenched. As creator of some of the most popular fungal cultures to be developed or cloned and circulated, (including the first 2 Cordyceps cultures that powered North America's first commercial farms) he has a special talent for capturing and maintaining clean champion genetics from cultivated or wild-harvested mushroom specimens. The extensive knowledge of breeding and mushroom production he's gathered spans several divisions of the 5th kingdom, and he is happy to assist on a small or large scale with your cultivation goals.
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, citizen science and education, and decreasing apathy toward nature through the constant demonstration of fungal beauty, beneficial applications and diversity. After the North American Mycological Association's request to start a Maryland chapter 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 has captivated his audience and landed his work in “The Journal of Wild Mushrooming" as well as used for educational content across the globe by many of his peers and mentors.
The lifelong admiration of the alchemical model and philosophy has called Michael over the years to remain in search of the true distilled gems of meaning that are universal for us all. His passion for the transmutation of base ingredients, from herbs to mental constructs, is obvious in his dedication to his craft. He is truly committed to the fabrication 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 wares are produced with 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. The intersection of alchemy and mushroom enthusiasm was his main inspiration behind the current, one of a kind line of products offered through Mushroomlife, as well as the art that fills in almost all space that mycology doesn't in this operator's life experience.
Michael's previous path 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 lent to a natural progression into life and wellness coaching. With thirty years meditation practice, and twelve years spent in a temple under the tutelage of two ordained Tibetan Buddhist monks, he is quite adept at assisting in 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 of living/loving has created the most rich well of wisdom to pull from and he loves to help guide 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. By popular demand of our fast paced community Michael is offering one on one life and mindfulness coaching sessions to help you get the most enjoyment possible from your life experience.
Sometimes these shifts require a more comprehensive approach, and Michael is now offering fully immersive multi day retreats on a limited basis for those desiring a full on lifestyle change reboot. A luxury reset to the nervous system via daily movement and meditation, forays and nature bathing. Forest to table meals provided by skilled personal chefs made from highly nutraceutical wild ingredients and only the highest quality ionized and structured water possible to drink the entire event. Allowing a natural detoxification and (e)motional clearing. Interlaced with stimulating conversations, gorgeous scenery and shared community time/group talks, these events are sure to leave you feeling like an integrated tribe member.
Michael’s interest in the most elevated base ingredients possible brought him to the discovery of structured water and the best known certified medical device ionizers and filters in the world. Now a distributor himself after witnessing the healing power firsthand amd overcoming recent health challenges through the implementation of structured pure, yet mineralized water he is a lifelong convert and offers free water consultations upon scheduled request.
Michael's next compass point on the map is PCR, and DNA barcoding as well as DNA sequencing in his own lab using minION technology. 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.
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 natural arts is the way forward for humankind and is almost certain anyone would be happier with more mushrooms in their life. Extend him an invitation, and your life will most certainly be enriched through fungal affairs.
