BUILT ON GRATITUDE, GROUNDED IN RESILIENCE and CLARITY

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Choosing the right counsellor is an important step

Reaching out can be tough—you might not be sure what kind of support you need or even where to start. That’s okay. You don’t have to have it all figured out.

Every counsellor brings their own style and approach, and it’s important to find the right fit. Let’s have a conversation and see if I’m the right person to help you navigate whatever you’re facing.

It’s crucial to work with someone you feel comfortable with and trust.

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Mike Shaw, registered clinical counsellor, and owner of Gratus Health, standing outdoors with arms crossed, looking at the camera in front of a background of green pine trees.

MIKE’S JOURNEY AND THE LAUNCH OF GRATUS HEALTH

Gratus Health was born from a deep understanding of resilience and gratitude.

Founder, Mike Shaw’s life changed forever in 2013 when a devastating spinal cord injury left him paralyzed from the neck down. Against all odds and a bleak medical prognosis, fueled by relentless determination and a mindset rooted in gratitude, Mike walked out of the hospital just months later. He has since conquered mountains and reached new heights. 

Image of Mike Shaw running along the Okanagan Rail Trail in Lake Country, BC, featuring the trail along Kalamalka Lake with autumn foliage.

MIKE’S MISSION IS CLEAR

Gratus Health is here to guide you through life's deepest valleys and empower you to ascend to your highest peaks. This mission goes beyond healing—it’s about fostering optimal mental and physical health and creating a path toward a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life.

Before launching Gratus Health, Mike was a professional freestyle skier and Olympic development coach, helping Canada’s top athletes reach their peak potential.

In the years following his accident, Mike has shared his experience with thousands as a professional speaker and author. His experiences—from coaching elite athletes to overcoming life’s toughest challenges—shaped his passion for helping others.

Today, Mike brings his unique perspective, professional experience, personal resilience, and gratitude to Gratus Health.  

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Resilience in Action

Dive in to conversations with Mike Shaw on healing, growth, and mental resilience

TEDx Talk:
Grief Happens

Watch on Youtube

Red Bull TV Documentary:
Mike Shaw The Healing Agent

Watch on Red Bull TV

Published Author:
Never Part of THe Plan

Get Your Copy

Why GRATUS Health?

THE GRATUS PHILOSOPHY

At Gratus Health, we believe in the transformative power of gratitude. Derived from the Latin word ‘Gratus,’ meaning ‘thankful,’ gratitude is more than just a concept—it’s a mindset that builds resilience, fosters growth, and turns challenges into opportunities.

Gratitude forms the foundation of healing and growth. Our approach integrates gratitude with practical, goal-oriented counselling to help clients navigate life’s challenges and achieve clarity, strength, and holistic well-being.

MIKE’S MILESTONES OF RESILIENCE

X-ray images of Mike Shaw's neck showing cervical spine with a surgical implant with screws and plates on the left side. This image highlights Mike's spinal cord injury and the surgical procedure he underwent to start healing.
Olympic Halfpipe Coach, Mike Shaw, and a group of five athletes in ski gear and helmets standing on snow at a ski resort, with a halfpipe and trees in the background.
A woman interviews Mike Shaw, holding a phone and smiling, with a camera filming them in the foreground outside a building at night. This clip is from the Wings for Life Run.
An image of Mike Shaw participating in a steep obstacle course climb, crawling on wooden planks with other participants around him, with a Red Bull arch in the background.

2013: Paralyzed after a life-changing ski accident and spinal cord injury.

2014: Defied the odds, walking out of the hospital months later and skiing again on the anniversary of his crash.

2015: BC Rehab’s Gert Vorsteher Memorial Award Recipient.

2016: Featured in a Redbull TV film documenting his return to the mountains called Mike Shaw The Healing Agent.

2017: Delivered a TEDx Talk on grief and resilience to thousands at TEDx Stanley Park.

2017: Launched www.mikeshawski.com, a professional public-speaking business.

2018: Conquered the Redbull 400 Race, the steepest running race in the world

2018: Founded a coach and athlete performance and injury prevention training program called HeadStartPro Performance Training. 

2019: Team Captained over 700 Canadians on #TeamCoast2Coast, uniting Canada’s fundraising efforts for spinal cord injury research in the Wings For Life World Run.

2020: Published a book, Never Part of the Plan and launched virtual workshops.

2021: Married the love of his life and went backcountry skiing for the first time since his accident!

2023: Conquered a massive 7-day backcountry ski-touring trip to celebrate the tenth anniversary of his injury. 

2024: Finished the Kelowna Marathon

2024: Completed his Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Yorkville University

2025: Founded Gratus Health to provide support to individuals struggling with their mental health. 

2025: Started a family. Moved to Vancouver Island!

Mike Shaw in a blue suit walking on stage at a large indoor event, TEDx Stanley Park, with an audience in the background making applause.
Mike Shaw is signing a copy of his book, Never Part of the Plan, at a table with stacks of books. A woman with blonde hair in a striped shirt is looking through a book. Two banners in the background promote Volunteer BC and BCACP.
An image of a stack of copies of the book titled 'Never Part of the Plan' by Mike Shaw, with a cover image of a ski hill and neck injury x-rays.
Mike Shaw backcountry ski touring in a snowy mountain landscape during sunset, with snow-covered peaks and a valley below.

#GRATEFULEVERYDAY

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