Michael Carter is a judo/jiu jitsu veteran of 30 years. Prior to this he had a successful high school wrestling career finishing second in the state of TN in both his junior and senior year. He is a six time Southeastern A.A.U. Judo champion (1976-1981). He holds the nationally certified judo rank of Yodan (4th degree black belt) and the nationally certified Shingitai jiu jitsu rank of Godan (5th degree black belt). He is a certified senior judo coach, a certified judo referee, and a past coach of University of Tennessee Judo club.

He was the founder and chief instructor of LakeRidge Shinyo Academy which was located in Alcoa, TN and operated from 1990 to 2003. He presented the ninth annual Alvin H. Nielson lecture in human services titled: "Martial Art and Human Service: The Gentle Way". Michael received his BA in psychology from the University of Tennessee in 1975, his MS in educational psychology from the University of Tennessee in 1986, and his PhD in educational psychology from the University of Tennessee in 2003. He was an associate professor of psychology at Pellisipi State University between 1990 and 1998.