Michael J Bowen

Michael J. Bowen grew up in Washington Park, North Carolina, water-skiing on the glassy water of the Pamlico River and playing competitive sports. He developed a passion for tennis at an early age. His high school success as a player earned him a tennis scholarship to Mount Olive Junior College in 1982. After graduating from Mount Olive, he was recruited to play tennis for UNC-Wilmington, fulfilling his childhood dream of playing Division I tennis.

On November 19, 1985, during his senior year of college, two talent agents approached Michael on the campus of UNCW, and asked him to play an extra in Arnold Schwarzenegger ‘s movie, Raw Deal. That decision ultimately led to a car accident, paralysis, and a spiritual intervention that taught him lessons about faith, empathy, and overcoming adversity. His story is chronicled in the book, The Viewfinder: Michael’s Story.

While in the rehab hospital recovering from his accident, Michael taught himself to pedal an old gray stationary bike while sitting in his wheelchair. One afternoon, he fell asleep in his wheelchair and dreamed of bicycling that stationary bike across the country visiting rehab centers encouraging patients to never give up. Ninety-four days after his accident, he was released from the hospital having no idea he was on the path to fulfill that dream.

Not long after he left the hospital, Michael spied his dad’s old bicycle in his parents’ garage. Although his legs and neck were still in braces, he mustered up the courage to mount that bike, courageously put his feet on the pedals, and the rest, as they say, is history.

In 1986, he created an organization called, Ride to Recovery and from 1986-1991, he completed three bicycle trips across America, visiting thirty-three rehabilitation hospitals and logging over 10,000 miles on his bike. His simple message to patients was All day long, do your very best, let God worry about the rest. To date, he is still the only “walking” quadriplegic to complete this amazing feat of endurance.

In the midst of his work with Ride to Recovery, Michael returned to UNC-Wilmington and in 1987, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education. Over the course of his 36-year career, he influenced the lives of countless young men and women, believing there is no greater calling than public service. He also earned numerous teaching awards including New Hanover County Middle School Teacher of the Year in 1996. A lifelong learner, he became National Board Certified in Physical Education in 2002, and in 2006, he earned his master’s degree in Health Education from East Carolina University. Today, he is a guest lecturer in ECU’s Allied Health Department, lecturing to students pursuing careers in physical and occupational therapy, exercise science, and nursing.

As a former college tennis player, coaching and teaching tennis has been a natural fit for Michael. In 2002, he earned his professional tennis teaching certification from the USPTA and has coached both the men’s (2006-2017) and women’s (2009-present) tennis teams at John T. Hoggard High School. His stellar playing career at Mount Olive College, earned him induction into the University of Mount Olive Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022. His coaching achievements include being named the USTA North Carolina High School Tennis Coach of the Year in 2015, and earning a 4A North Carolina State Association Championship ring in 2020.

Today, Michael lives in Wilmington, North Carolina, with his family, his wife Laura and a faithful four-legged companion named Tessa. Since the release of his inspirational book in 2022, he enjoys traveling to high schools and universities across the state speaking to students & athletes about his experiences and the life-lessons he’s learned with the goal of helping them understand how these lessons can impact their lives. If you would like to learn more about Michael’s story, visit anchorspublishing.com.