Rita Andorinho
Left her corporate law career, relocated to her dream Portuguese farm property, authored a book, lost 13 kg, found a loving relationship, and established her coaching practice. She describes her previous depressed self as gone.
Our Origin StoryThe Story of
The Story of
Awakened Academy
From a small meditation room opposite King's College, Cambridge, to certifying spiritual coaches in 25+ countries.
2004 · Cambridge, England
Where it all began
In 2004, Michael was teaching meditation in a small room opposite King's College, Cambridge University. After practicing meditation daily since his own spiritual awakening, he noticed an unexpected pattern: students would arrive seeking peace through meditation, but would quickly begin sharing personal struggles and aspirations.
They valued the practice, but they also needed help addressing real obstacles in their lives. From this observation, he began to develop what would eventually become spiritual life coaching, though the term didn't exist yet in 2004. He refined these methods without external guidance, creating an entirely new approach to personal transformation.
The Leap of FaithHe left everything behind, with a backpack,
He left everything behind, with a backpack,
dreams, and $800.
Recognizing a deeper calling, Michael made a decisive move: he left everything behind with only a backpack, his dreams, and $800, and relocated to Hawaii. From there, he began coaching clients online while developing his methodology.
He invested over $150,000 in courses and trainings, learning what worked and what didn't. Seeking authenticity, he rejected approaches that didn't align with his values and created a spiritually grounded business model that felt genuinely aligned with his heart.
2012 · Kauai, Hawaii
Living the dream, and noticing what was missing.
Living the dream
By 2012, Michael had built the lifestyle many aspire toward. Living on Kauai, Hawaii, he enjoyed:
- →Freedom to structure his own schedule
- →Access to natural beauty and outdoor pursuits
- →Mornings dedicated to meditation, yoga, and nature
- →Evening work serving thousands globally through coaching and courses
- →Client fees of $10,000 or more
The more we help others get what they want, the more we get everything that we want.
The questions that changed everything
By late 2012, a consistent pattern emerged in student inquiries. Repeatedly, people asked variations of the same questions about balancing spiritual values with financial stability and meaningful work.
Many were naturally gifted helpers who couldn't monetize their gifts. Others struggled in unfulfilling jobs that contradicted their values. Some had tried other programs but found them lacking spiritual depth and genuine transformation.
"How can I live a spiritual life, do meaningful work, and make an abundant living?"
The same question, over and over, in different voices and from different countries.
40 Days of Meditation
Walking by ocean waves, sitting beneath waterfalls, grappling with whether they were the ones to do this.
Recognizing the significance of these repeated requests, Michael and his partner Arielle dedicated 40 days to meditation and contemplation. During this period, walking by ocean waves, sitting beneath mountain waterfalls, watching sunsets, they grappled with self-doubt and uncertainty about whether they were equipped for this work.
Reflecting on his own past, years of addiction and depression before his awakening, Michael realized his transformation story itself was the qualification. A single mentor had shown up with love and opened his eyes to life-changing possibilities. He recognized the potential impact if more people helped others awaken.
The Night of the Divine Light"Empower souls as spiritual leaders.
"Empower souls as spiritual leaders.
Teach the teachers."
Near year's end, they invited a small group to their home for meditation and sound healing. During the session, participants described experiencing a golden light filling the room, accompanied by a palpable sense of sacred energy.
Both Michael and Arielle received the same inner message: Empower souls as spiritual leaders. Teach the teachers.
That experience crystallized their direction, and led to the creation of Awakened Academy.
Creating something that didn't exist
Their vision was explicit: develop the first truly spiritually-grounded coaching and leadership certification. Not a corporate program with spiritual aesthetics. Not a superficial retreat. A comprehensive training that would guide students from where they actually were to the life they envisioned.
They retained only essential elements and eliminated everything inessential to that mission.
When they introduced the program, the response was immediate and enthusiastic. Early students reported that this offering answered deep, long-held intentions. The transformation among initial participants became evident quickly, confirming they had created something genuinely needed.
Awakened Academy Today
Twenty years on, the work has only deepened.
Since 2004, the work has evolved and expanded:
1,250+
Students trained across 25+ countries
125,000+
Five-star reviews across our work
10M+
Downloads of meditations and content
20+ yrs
Pioneer experience in spiritual life coaching
The founders emphasize they don't position themselves as gurus, but rather as experienced guides willing to share what they've learned.
What makes this different
Many spiritual life coaching programs now exist, but most lack essential balance. Some were created by people studying Michael's original work. Others slap "spiritual" labels on conventional life coaching. Some remain overly corporate; others lack practical grounding.
Awakened Academy distinguishes itself through:
- →Over 20 years of pioneer experience in this specific field
- →Methods proven first on Michael's own life and high-ticket clients
- →Integration of personal transformation, coaching framework, meditation teacher training, and business tools
- →Support from practitioners with two decades of real-world application
This combination remains unavailable elsewhere.
Who Awakened Academy has helped
A few of the people whose lives have shifted since walking the path:
Dorise
Doubled her income while reducing working hours, started her own foundation, published a book, and attracted a potential $100M investment for her projects.
Rakhee C. Patel
Departed from pharmacy work after 17 years to become a spiritual life coach, describing this as her best career decision.
Mick Rutjes
Left his psychology degree at 19. Now he co-hosts retreats in Tuscany, serves 100+ clients globally, and has traveled to 27 countries building his freedom-based business.
Why we care
The world currently faces unprecedented challenges that require substantive guidance, not social media noise or generic programming. We have heard repeatedly from students who wasted years and thousands of dollars with derivative programs that misunderstood our principles.
We believe spiritually-gifted healers deserve financial freedom to practice full-time. When gifted practitioners remain trapped in unfulfilling employment, the people who need their help never receive it. Conversely, when such people work freely in their calling, the positive effects multiply exponentially.
Your Call to AdventureIf you feel called to help others
If you feel called to help others
while building a spiritually-aligned, abundant life, this is for you.
Thank you for being part of this journey. You are a blessing to our world.
— Michael & Arielle