Mike has had a range of careers over the years. He's been a journalist, writer, broadcaster, teacher and lecturer - more than his share of life experiences.
He's also a father of three grown up children. So it's fair to say that he's enjoyed - like everyone else - a pretty varied life.
However, the sheer range of experiences working as a journalist in sometimes challenging situations, with people at their happiest or at their most vulnerable, with young people of all ages and all backgrounds, has been a perfect grounding for his role as an independent celebrant, even though it was never part of the overall plan.
In fact, he's never planned his career, full stop. But he will be the first to admit that everything he has done so far has brought him to this point.