Michael Gershe is just trying to be a son his mother would be proud of by presenting The Magic of Life. Born in Suffern, NY but raised in Miami, FL, Michael and his brother were competitive swimmers which seemed like the norm if you grew up in South Florida in the late 70s, early 80s. Growing up his influences were Tigger, Spider-man, James Bond and Gene Simmons/Paul Stanley from the rock band KISS. These were the role models that shaped his life that he leads today and has helped him become a professional speaker and comedian. Michael eventually earned a swimming scholarship to Ashland University in Ohio where...
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Michael Gershe
Professional Speaker and Comedian with over 20 years experience, who shares his powerful and inspirational story of being a survivor of a drunk driving crash
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Michael Gershe is just trying to be a son his mother would be proud of by presenting The Magic of Life. Born in Suffern, NY but raised in Miami, FL, Michael and his brother were competitive swimmers which seemed like the norm if you grew up in South Florida in the late 70s, early 80s.
Growing up his influences were Tigger, Spider-man, James Bond and Gene Simmons/Paul Stanley from the rock band KISS. These were the role models that shaped his life that he leads today and has helped him become a professional speaker and comedian.
Michael eventually earned a swimming scholarship to Ashland University in Ohio where he graduated in 1992 with a Communications degree. Being involved as a student leader in organizations such as Residence Hall Council, Campus Activities Board and being a Peer Educator led to his career in Higher Education. 10 months after Hurricane Andrew landed in Miami, he returned to Ohio for graduate school at The University of Akron. There he was the Leadership Adviser where he advised Student Government and BACCHUS.
The Magic of Life was created during graduate school when one of his students asked him if he could a “fun alcohol program” for her sorority. With a background as a magician since he was a teenager, he put together a program that incorporated magic tricks symbolizing the effects of alcohol along with his personal story of being a survivor of a drunk driving incident. That laid the ground work to his incredible journey over the last 20 years presenting the program at high schools, colleges, military and even DUI offenders.
Michael’s career in entertainment began shortly after his grandfather took him to the magic store around the age of 12. He spent his youth and summers during college as a magician performing at birthday parties and summer camps. Growing up he was a fan of Abbott and Costello, Robin Williams, and Harry Anderson, which led to his dream of becoming a stand-up comedian. He even practiced his own material in high school speech class. Michael’s first stand-up routine was at an open-mic night at Uncle Funny’s Comedy Club in Miami, FL when he was just 18 years old.
While in graduate school at The University of Akron, he attended an open mic night at Hilarities Comedy Club (now called The Funny Stop) and within 6 months was working as the opening act there among other local clubs. Throughout his comedy career he has worked with George Wallace and one of his main influences, Harry Anderson. His comedy is observational and clean similar to another influence, Jerry Seinfeld.
Michael is definitely a kid at heart which shows during The Magic of Life as he blends humor into his powerful message. His personal philosophy incorporates humor in his daily life and strives to make at least one person laugh during the day. While he still sees himself as that “skinny, fun kid” from Miami, The Magic of Life has allowed him to share his story, impacting so many lives he never thought was possible. Knowing that he could have died as an infant, Michael wants his audience to laugh, but also understand just how previous their lives can be.
The Magic of Life represents Michael’s life in which he was able to live out his dreams. He loves performing stand up comedy, but years ago decided to focus mainly on The Magic of Life which allows him to have the best of both worlds – making people laugh and honoring his mother.
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Testimonials
The presentation was enjoyable. I believe students need more presentations like this one. It was a good change from the normal speakers and something that will have a lasting memory.
It was a thoughtful and inspiring program and I have received some great feedback from students. There were more people in the audience who were directly impacted by drunk driving, I think they didn’t want to bring it up in front of the crowd (maybe too emotional?) Anyway, we were very pleased! I loved your personal and humorous approach!
It was great!! There were a lot of people talking around campus about how much they enjoyed it! Thanks for coming!
Dear Michael, I can’t thank you enough for your presentation to our middle and high school students last week. Your message was clear, entertaining, compelling, and no doubt received by students and parents alike. Through your eloquent and engaging personal testimony, you took a difficult and serious subject and educated in a way that by rights should leave a long lasting impression. Thank you once again for being with us and may your continuing efforts be met with only greater success. Best and shalom.
The message of “The Magic of Life” is a critical one to share with college students. Michael’s approach is effective – he gets the students’ attention through the use of comedy and then hits home by sharing his personal experiences. He also does not judge the students or their choices, but makes them aware of the consequences of their behavior – on not just themselves, but also on others. I am pleased with the opportunity I have to work with Michael and look forward to including The Magic of Life in our Week of Welcome schedule for many years to come.
Your speech was the funniest I have heard, and also the saddest. You thoroughly educated us on the dangers of drinking and driving and also revealed yourself by giving us details of your tragic childhood story. It was so powerful. I really took what you said to heart, there is not a day that goes by that I regret driving drunk. Very rarely do you hear somebody give such intimate details about themselves.
After attending your program, I have a better understanding of life as a whole. I never realized how precious life really is. I drove while under the influence and I regret every second of it. I will never do it again and would rather not drink and be a designated driver. I have learned some life changing lessons and I will appreciate everything I have.
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Jewish Born, Jamaican Raised
People often wonder if guardian angels exist and in “Jewish Born, Jamaican Raised”, we find out that they really do. Eight weeks after Michael Gershe was born, a drunk driver killed his mother and almost himself. Despite breaking nearly every bone in his body, Michael went on to become a collegiate swimmer, stand-up comedian, professional speaker and college educator. Michael tours the country presenting his highly successful alcohol awareness program,“The Magic of Life.” However, none of these accomplishments would have happened if it weren’t for his guardian angel, Dolly Morris, a Jamaican woman who changed the lives of everyone she met.
Being raised in the 1970s when the country was still dealing with race issues, a black woman, turned a temporary job into a lifetime of being a “mother” to two white Jewish boys and taught people that color did not matter, but kindness, unconditional love and the human spirit is what counted the most.
Growing up in Miami, Florida, to Michael, his brother Jeff and his father, having Dolly in their family was normal, but to others, they saw a black woman with three white guys. Labels still existed because people thought of her as the “maid” or “housekeeper”, but she was their “mother” and even better than most biological parents.
Jeff’s-Bar-Mitzvah
“Jewish Born, Jamaican Raised” is a program that not only pays tribute to Dolly, but how Michael battled racism and anti-Semitism throughout his life. This humorous but emotional program will allow the audience to identify positive traits within themselves and to cope with discrimination in a positive way. The audience will discuss issues such as bullying, discrimination and how we need to be proud of who we are no matter what others may say. If hate is a learned behavior, it is time we teach others how to accept people for who they are, no matter their background.
Michael wants each person in the audience to be a strong individual who will be tolerant of others no matter how different they may be from their own lives. “Jewish Born, Jamaican Raised” is a diversity program like no other that will inspire the audience to embrace what makes them different and so very special.
Sober College Secrets with Michael Gershe – Founder at The Magic of Life
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THE MAGIC OF LIFE
Sober College Secrets with Michael Gershe - Founder at The Magic of Life
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