From the time he was a young boy, Mikael Luman seemed destined for greatness. A natural athlete, he excelled in sports, was popular in school, and was supported by a close and loving family. Having broken numerous records for the 800 meters in track during his junior high years, by the time he reached high school, he was well on his way to his dream of an athletic scholarship for college and the opportunity to try out for the US Olympic Track team.

It wasn’t until a devastating knee injury during a high school basketball game literally stopped him in his tracks that Mikael realized his dreams would not be coming true. Depressed and no longer focused on training, Mikael who had once said “no” to the temptation of alcohol and drugs, fearful of how it would affect his running, Mikael said “yes!” Within a year of his first drink, Mikael was cutting school, partying with a fake ID, and heavily involved with alcohol and drugs. By nineteen, he was dealing acid and ecstasy at local bars and using meth. A few years later, he was manufacturing and selling meth. Constantly on the run from the law for more than eight years,, Mikael was in and out of jail and rehab. It wasn’t until his final arrest and sentencing to fifty-three months in prison in 2000 that Mikael realized that if something didn’t change he would soon be dead.

While in prison, Mikael focused on his recovery utilizing the skill set he had used as an athlete. With discipline, courage, and commitment, he devoted himself to healing the spiritual, physical, and emotional wreckage of a shattered athletic dream. After an early release from prison, as part of an intensive boot camp program, Mikael stayed focused on his recovery and on finding a way to help young adults on the verge of making the same bad choices he had made. With this in mind, he founded the nonprofit organization “A Generation Free.”

In 2008 Mikael’s first book “800 Meters,” an alarming recounting of his descent into addiction was published. In 2007, he bicycled nearly 12,000 miles across the country to raise awareness about addiction, recovery and his foundation A Generation Free. Mikael is currently training for the Ironman in Hawaii and is a regular speaker to audiences of students, athletes, teachers, parents, and those in treatment about his own experience and the importance of educating children about the consequences of poor choices.

“The only thing more incredible than Mikael Luman’s descent into destruction and near death, is his incredible recovery and powerful desire to help others. Mikael Luman is living proof that you don’t have to die from drug addiction; there is a solution! Help and recovery are possible!”—Neil Scott, Producer/Host of RECOVERY - Coast to Coast