Before law school, Michel obtained a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s in Environmental Studies. His community involvement included volunteering with local mental health organisations and working on environmental protection projects. In the 1990s, he was the host of radio and television programs that promoted environmental issues.

In 1999, Michel teamed up with renowned environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to found a local Riverkeeper program that was instrumental in restoring the Petitcodiac River.

More recently he ran an environmental law clinic with law students to provide free legal services to community groups.

As a goaltender in hockey, Michel played on championship teams at the high school, junior and college levels, including a national title with the University of Moncton Aigles Bleus in 1989-90. That team was recently inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame.

Michel began training in the Martial Arts at about the same time he entered law school. He obtained his black belt with Maritime Shinkyokushin Karate where he still practices and teaches today. He has been to Japan and trained with some of the world’s foremost karate masters.