Michael Cole

From Systems to Humans

Having served nine years in the U.S. Navy as an Avionics Technician, before transitioning into a career as a Veterinary Technician and, eventually, an IT Systems Engineer, my path to digital wellness coaching was paved with high-pressure environments and complex system.

For the last eight years, I lived and breathed the world of Information Technology. I understood how the systems worked, but I also felt the toll they were taking on me personally. During this time I struggled with generalized anxiety and chronic physical pain. I spent years seeking relief through traditional medical intervention without success. I experienced firsthand the burnout and the profound disconnect that occurs when our digital lives move faster than our human ones. It wasn't until I turned inward, integrating Mindfulness, Stoicism, and the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) that my situation improved.

As I began to align my daily habits with my core values, my chronic pain didn't just ease; it disappeared. I realized that my long-held interest in psychology was finally finding its purpose. I saw a way to merge my technical knowledge with my desire to help people heal their relationship with the digital world that consumes our lives.

Science-Backed Coaching

To ensure my practice is rooted in the latest evidence-based research, I am currently specializing through Consciously Digital, an ICF-accredited program that focuses on the neuroscience of digital wellness.

This training allows me to look "under the hood" of human attention and memory. I study how addictive tech design exploits our neurobiology and, more importantly, how we can use neuroscience to reclaim our focus. By combining this scientific understanding with my background in complex systems, I help you build a "Human Operating System" that is resilient, intentional, calm and aligned with your personal values.

Our Partnership

At RISE Digital Wellness, I don’t see technology as the enemy. Instead, I see it as a system that requires a better manual, one rooted in your personal values.

As a veteran, I bring integrity and disciplined focus to our work. As an IT professional, I understand the digital landscape you navigate. And as a coach, I am here to partner with you to:

• Identify the values that truly matter to you.

• Understand the Science of how your devices affect your brain and body.

• Build sustainable, gentle habits that restore your peace and focus.

You are the expert on your life; I am here to provide the space, the tools, and the partnership to help you Rise Above the Noise.