Michael Allison

CEO

U.S. Marine Purple Heart Veteran Michael W. Allison Is A Highly Sought-After Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker, Best-Selling Author, Expert Leadership Trainer, And Award-Winning INC 5000 Entrepreneur.

Michael Allison is a US Marine Corps veteran, Purple Heart recipient, leadership expert, and the visionary CEO of The Adversity Academy Leadership Development Company. With over 20+ years of experience in leadership, Michael has transformed lives and organizations by empowering individuals to embrace adversity, break through limitations, and lead with resilience around the globe.
Michael’s path to leadership was cemented during his devoted and faithful years of service in the United States Marine Corps, where he deployed to combat zones in the aftermath of 9/11 and the Iraq War where he led his unit on several mission critical assignments. His military service earned him the prestigious Purple Heart and shaped his deep understanding of leadership under extreme pressure. These high-risk combat experiences have all served as the launching point for his proprietary “The UN-Leadership and Break The Bottle – 3-D” methodology. His proven methodologies serve organizations and team members to foster a mutual trusted environment of Resilience, Accountability, and Leadership.

As a globally recognized keynote speaker in areas of Leadership, Corporate Culture, High-Performance Teams and Mental Wellness. Michael has delivered transformative presentations at high-level leading organizations and Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, TEDx, NBC, and the University of Columbia. His keynotes, The UN-Leadership and Break The Bottle, challenge conventional leadership paradigms, inspiring audiences to take control of their destinies, shatter their own limiting beliefs, and unlock their full leadership potential.

Michael’s entrepreneurial journey has seen him successfully launch multiple businesses, earning recognition from outlets like INC 5000, Franchise Consultant, USA Today, and ESPN. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Information Security Systems and MBA in Applied Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. He was honored with the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award from Indiana Wesleyan University, reflecting his impact as a leader, mentor, and advocate. Additionally, his insights have been featured in publications like VFW Magazine, NBC, multiple podcasts and most recently About Face Military Mental Health Tribute.

Through The Adversity Academy, Michael delivers world-class leadership programs and personal coaching designed to help individuals and organizations build resilience, embrace change, and drive results. His mission is clear: to inspire others to become resilient leaders who thrive in the face of adversity.

While his impressive list of accolades and contributions continues to grow, Michael remains unwavering in his commitment to serve others. Drawing on his experiences alongside senior military leaders, congressional representatives, diplomats, and even the Secretary of State, Michael is driven by a clear mission: to dedicate himself to cultivating a culture of accountability, commitment, and authentic leadership. Whether on stage, coaching, or leading his programs, Michael’s focus is always on empowering others to overcome adversity and lead with integrity. Off stage, he is a devoted husband to Courtney and proud father to Omar and Corey, embodying the values of resilience, dedication, and family in all areas of his life.

For more information or to download this bio, visit Michael W. Allison website.