About Michael Vestri

A lifelong love of books and pictures began with a stack of Marvel comics handed down by my older brother. From there, I devoured everything I could find on myths and legends, followed by the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Howard, H. G. Wells, Tolkien and many more. Comic book art opened the door to broader visual interests, especially graphic styles like Art Deco and the New Romantic movement.

As I got older, my bookshelves filled with science fiction by Arthur C. Clarke and Ray Bradbury, alongside Dickens, Chandler, P. G. Wodehouse and others. I also developed a fascination with ancient history, particularly Greek and Roman. No single theme ties it all together; just a persistent search for stories that offer different ways to understand the human condition. Whether through words or images, I’ve always been drawn to new perspectives.

Around the age of 20 a chance occurrence, namely the filling out of a competition form in a newspaper that would offer the winner a full, leather bound set of the Encyclopedia Brittanica (strange but true), led me to take an IQ test set by the competition sponsors, MENSA. I didn't win the Books, but found, much to my enormous surprise, that I had a test score that made me eligible to join the high IQ society. Three things hit me immediately; firstly, I was no genius by any definition that made any sense to me, and secondly, that this was not something I could usefully put on any job application or at the start of any casual conversation; talk about a vibe killer. Thirdly, and more productively, it meant that I really had no excuse. If I applied myself, at least in the mental arena, and I failed, it would be down to a lack of determination, or possibly application rather than some arbitrary excuse of a lack of ability. That lesson has stayed with me through every physical, mental and emotional challenge ever since. It is also, of course, a very simple human lesson that applies to everyone; you don't need a badge to tell you that you get further by believing in yourself. Put simply - don't make excuses. Anyone with a reasonable, rational self belief, given time and application, will always improve, and almost always to a far greater extent than they were expecting. So it goes with mental, emotional, physical and spiritual challenges. It is the age old story of determination combined with opportunity overcoming the challenge. The little Knight defeating the Dragon, the treasure found at the end of the arduous quest, Frodo returning home with the ring and Dorothy back to her family.
Realising one's potential is a story about ourselves that we all get to play out, and in my own way that is what I'm attempting to do. Something that has come into particular focus over the last few years.

During the Covid Pandemic, after years working in Graphic Design, I found myself, like many others, forced to reassess. With the arrival of a new baby daughter, it made sense to be closer to home. I took on long-delayed house renovation projects, expanded my interest in fitness, and spent more time in the kitchen. (Baking still escapes me, despite my love of a certain TV show).

It was during this period that I received a diagnosis that changed everything, and signposted me to the life I lead today. A persistent facial rash led to blood tests. Nothing urgent, we thought. But it turned out to be Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia. Fortunately, it was caught early. Thanks to major advancements in targeted cancer treatment, what was once a deadly condition has become for many, a manageable, or even potentially, curable disease.

The first-line medication worked well but brought difficult side effects, including severe muscle cramps and daily digestive issues. Digging into medical papers and clinical trials, I suspected my gut bacteria might be playing a key role. After adjusting my diet and adding targeted pre and probiotics, things improved significantly. That experience sparked a deeper dive into the science of gut health. Not just as a way to supplement the treatment of an illness, but as a route to real wellness.

That journey led to the creation of Healthspan Orchestra, a free online resource offering science-backed advice on nutrition, exercise, rest, sleep, mindset, plus both emotional and gut health; with a focus on practical, evidence-based interventions.

Also, within the same sphere, I'm developing The Healthspan Cookbook, a collection of gut-friendly recipes built around whole foods known to support the microbiome. The book features clear nutritional breakdowns, highlights which gut bacteria each dish may support, and outlines the potential benefits. It includes a 10-day Gut Reset Menu, smart alternatives to everyday staples, and a reference section to help readers understand what to eat, and why, for better gut and overall health.

In addition, my love of books; that younger-me excitement at the discovery of adventure stories in general and pulp fiction in particular, has led me to fulfilling my desire to dip my toe into the water of those adventure stories. And so, the sequel to Almuric, the 1936 pulp fiction classic by Robert E Howard (the creator of Conan) is in the works. Called Ironhand, this is the completion of a fantasy project that I had in mind as a teenager, so it's dear to my heart, though to be honest I didn't really expect to ever write it. (The cover art and first chapter are on this website, so please let me know what you think).

Finally (for now), I've recently launched VoomVox. This is a service built to support independent authors and self-publishers by helping them transform their writing into professional-quality audiobooks. Studio production is expensive and often out of reach, so VoomVox offers an affordable, accessible way to bring stories to life and get them ready for platforms like Audible and Findaway.

As someone who loves both audio and print books, I see no divide between listening and reading. Stories are meant to be shared, whether through the page or the voice. Books, or in this case audiobooks, are always on my mind. I'm a voracious listener (hundreds of titles under my belt in my audible library). I don't agree with a certain section of literary society that's sniffy about audiobooks; they are, of course, a modern representation of the original stories. Back in the day, before writing, this is how tales were told and history, including much of culture, was passed on. Gifted orators, singers and poets told and retold stories to rapt audiences. The oral tradition is far older than writing. In fact, it could be said, that the audiobook is a purer form of storytelling. In any case; I don't think there needs to be a distinction based on the method of delivery - any book, any story, can transport the listener, or reader to another place. can elate or sadden, can excite, educate or inspire.

This site brings all of my current projects together. A small attempt to fulfill potential, tell stories, and share ideas that might just help others to do the same.

All the best,
Mike