Meet Michael Brown

Michael Brown, the founder and owner of Reconnecting Spirit, a business dedicated to holistic mental and spiritual health. Drawing on his lived experience of addiction, he has been sober for 13 years and now uses his journey to guide others toward healing from all kinds of addictions, trauma and violence. Michael brings deep knowledge and experience to deliver personalised services aimed at personal development, emotional healing, and cultural reconnection for individuals, families and communities.

Reconnecting Spirit is a unique, Indigenous-owned business that combines modern, scientifically informed practices such as Quantum Coaching with culturally rich approaches like Red Dust Healing, Aboriginal Holographic Kinetics, permaculture design (caring for country), and cellular chemistry testing (food).

Read more about Michael’s business journey so far:

Michael’s Business

My business is called Reconnecting Spirit. It’s been running for about a year now, and it focuses on holistic mental and spiritual health. I share different healing modalities that help people process grief, work through trauma, and reconnect with themselves and their loved ones.

Before I started this business, I worked in Indigenous primary healthcare and sexual health. I also have experience in aged care, disability services, youth care, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. My own healing journey began when I was admitted to a Salvation Army drug and alcohol service. Once I stopped using substances, I could finally start processing my grief. In Australia, alcohol is such a normal part of life during sport, entertainment, daily life that I thought drinking every day was normal. Stopping changed everything in my life.

The recovery statistics at that time were around 3%, and I wanted to share everything I’d learned on my healing journey. That’s how my business “Reconnecting Spirit” started. I wanted purpose in my life. My healing journey gave me tools that I knew could help others. Starting a business was a way to share what I’d learned and give back to the community.

Working with Many Rivers

My business coach, Kristy, guided me every step of the way. I wasn’t business savvy, so she helped me understand everything from registering my ABN, choosing a business name, and setting up a business plan, to connecting me with people for things like web design.

Kristy explained complex business concepts in a way that matched my learning style. I’m a visual learner, and her approach made all the difference. Her mentoring, confidence, and passion for seeing Indigenous people succeed helped me focus on the bigger picture and gave me the direction I needed.

I haven’t taken a loan from Many Rivers yet. We’ve discussed funding opportunities through IBA and grants, and that might be something I explore in the future to expand resources and program delivery.

Biggest Challenge

The biggest challenge has been getting recognition for holistic and spiritual health approaches. Many organisations talk about holistic care but often leave out the spiritual aspect. Programs like Red Dust Healing and Holographic Kinetics (Aboriginal Dreamtime healing) address spiritual wellness, and I want to get these programs out to more people and organisations.

Biggest Success

One of my proudest achievements was being contacted by Selectability, which has an office in Moranbah—my grandfather’s country. They offered me a four-month contract to deliver men’s workshops.

One participant stopped drinking, accessed support services, and turned his life around. His anxiety improved, and he built stronger relationships with family and friends. The program also helped him and his father understand intergenerational trauma, allowing them to finally have an honest conversation. That kind of healing is the true success of Reconnecting Spirit.

Biggest Change

The biggest change has been the transformation my family has witnessed—from a daily drinker to someone supporting others with addictions and mental health.

My brothers and I have become closer, opening up about our own lives. This change has improved our households, our relationships, and the lives of our children. Personally, the alternative would have been prison or suicide, so this transformation has been life-saving.

Future Goals

I want to fine-tune the programs I use and eventually open a men’s centre. Currently, there’s no support for men coming out of prison—no shelters. A centre could provide tools for men to reconnect with themselves and their families and help them become the fathers they were meant to be. That’s my long-term goal.

Thank you Michael for sharing your business journey with us. We wish you the best of luck with future endeavours and business success.

We love to encourage people to take the first step towards kick-starting their small business ideas. Do you have a business idea?  

CLICK HERE to see if Many Rivers is right for you

B0017892