FAIR CHANCE EMPLOYMENT ADVOCATE

Micah Hayes is an Asheville native who returned home in 2021. After serving 4 years in the U.S. Army, from 2009-2013, Micah returned to Charlotte NC where he found himself struggling from drug misuse and alcohol dependence. A little over a year after his military service, a negative spiral of events led to his incarceration of 76 months.

During his incarceration he went through a transformation of mind, body, and spirit. Attending the Guilford college and UNCA prison education programs he earned nearly 80 college credits. He studied exercise science and developed fitness plans and workout routines. And finally, he devoted himself to spiritual growth, mindfulness, and changing the outlook on the future with positive thinking.

When he was released in 2021, the first thing he prioritized was the reunification with his son Micah jr. who was 10 years old at the time. He began to work at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church doing multi-media and live streaming. After earning his NASM Certified Personal Trainer credential and CrossFit Level 2 he started his own business, 7-6 Fitness Training while coaching at CrossFit Asheville. In 2023, he graduated from UNCA with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication magna cum laude.

He now works as the Fair Chance Employment Advocate at Operation Gateway, a local reentry organization that focuses on addressing the social determinants of health of returning citizens. Micah claims that his lived-experience, education, and spirituality are foundation of his most fundamental belief.

“When you truly begin to believe that nothing is impossible, with faith and relentless effort, that’s when your life begins to change.” -Micah Hayes