Living Your Legacy with Rudy Mawer
Episode: Breaking Sound Barriers: The Future of Sound Technology
Guest: Michael Young, CEO of The Flow Group
Date: October 13, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Rudy Mawer sits down with Michael Young, an innovator transforming the hearing aid industry. The conversation dives deep into Michael’s journey as a purpose-driven entrepreneur, his personal motivations rooted in overcoming eyesight loss, and the creation of a revolutionary hearing solution that combines cutting-edge bone conduction technology with accessibility and style. The episode offers insights on product development, resiliency amidst adversity, mentorship, and building a legacy that uplifts others.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Michael’s Purpose and the Genesis of Flow Group
- Michael recounted his journey of developing a hearing device inspired by his own experience with vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa.
- He emphasizes designing for inclusivity, targeting seniors, people with disabilities, and anyone facing hearing challenges.
“I found that rebranding my own product really caters to people like me, people that have struggles... So it really resonates with me.” – Michael Young [00:00]
2. Reinventing Hearing: The Product Innovation
- The Flow Group’s device offers an alternative to traditional hearing aids:
- Bone conduction technology
- Sits outside the ear, preventing obstruction, canal damage, wax buildup, and stigma.
- Appears as trendy headphones, removing the “deaf” stereotype.
- Suitable for social interaction and everyday use, even for those with healthy hearing.
- Affordable: Priced at $189.99 compared to $8,000+ for standard hearing aids.
- Hybrid function: Amplifies sound and plays music.
“Mine opens up the doors for a new option. Something that's healthy, you wear on the outside, not the inside... So mine is just a new cool, trendy way of hearing where you don't get stereotyped as deaf.” – Michael Young [02:51] “Mine’s the only one that has the amplification put into it that aids hearing.” – Michael Young [06:43]
“You can listen to music, but mine is the only one that can use it socially engaged.” – Michael Young [07:16] - Bone conduction technology
3. Broader Impact & Market Vision
- Device benefits a wide variety of users:
- Children (especially autistic kids improving in school)
- Labor workers exposed to loud environments
- Seniors and those with mild to severe hearing loss
- Everyday users seeking hearing health maintenance
- Michael’s mission is to make the product a household staple globally.
“I really want to go national, global, where everyone can just pick it off of Walmart, Best Buy and just wear it.” – Michael Young [04:40]
4. Road to Entrepreneurship: From Struggle to Success
- Michael’s journey is shaped by resilience:
- Vision loss prompted empathy-driven innovation.
- Overcame personal lows: loss of mother at 11, battles with alcoholism, negative peer influences.
- Found purpose after personal transformation, crediting a supportive relationship for helping him refocus on self-driven creativity.
“I became straight A student to becoming, fighting at school, stealing, joining like a little gang... and then became alcoholic, drank my life, partied every day until my ex-girlfriend... she changed my life.” – Michael Young [10:01] “Just don't focus on other people. Don’t rely on other people’s ideas. Where I really just lost a lot of money through other people’s ideas and investments until I finally focused on myself, my creativity. That’s when I finally flourished.” – Michael Young [10:37]
5. Product Journey: Partnership, Luck, and Perseverance
- Family-owned factories in Asia facilitated manufacturing and supplier connections.
- Product development took around 1.5 years; highlights value of mentorship and networking.
- Credits serendipity and meaningful connections in the senior living space for rapid growth.
“They guided me to different manufacturers... We thought of something that’s not selling anywhere else.” – Michael Young [06:43] “It just happened. It just really resonated with a lot of people... I felt like it was just lucky.” – Michael Young [08:15]
6. Advice for Entrepreneurs
- Take risks and embrace innovation, even if it’s daunting.
- Leverage mentorship and not shy away from seeking support—it’s more available than people expect.
“I would advise them to just try something new... Seniors are more scared of technology. I encourage them to adapt and evolve with new technology because supply’s changing.” – Michael Young [08:45] “You gotta take the risk and just, you know, whatever your heart feels, just, just do it, you know?” – Michael Young [09:10]
7. Legacy, Mindset, and Helping Others
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Michael sees his work as a vehicle for global accessibility and legacy-making.
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Strong advocacy for pushing through adversity and focusing on personal growth, sobriety, and building positive social circles.
“You don’t have to resort to the negative stuff around you. You can always prosper... just fish yourself out of that hole and really, like, become a better person is really what makes life worth living for right now.” – Michael Young [12:10]
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Vision for the next 10–20 years:
- Widespread adoption and recognition of his brand (“like Shokz, but better”).
- Product available in diverse styles and used worldwide.
“If I see a banner up, I see people running around with it... that’s my dream.” – Michael Young [13:00]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Overcoming Adversity:
“It always seems like the easy way out. To drink and just isolate yourself and to be depressed, but just fish yourself out of that hole and really, like, become a better person is really what makes life worth living for right now. Right. And helping other people.” – Michael Young [12:10]
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On Taking Action:
“Everything’s a building step to the next level.” – Michael Young [13:55]
“If they’re procrastinating... you’re just losing time, missing out on the moment, the big picture.” – Michael Young [14:00] -
On the Future:
“This is really going to help everyone know the story and know the company and the products.” – Michael Young [12:37]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [00:00] – Introduction to Michael and his “why”
- [02:31] – Michael’s background and founding of Flow Group
- [02:51] – Explaining the core problem and the product's unique solution
- [03:40] – User demographics and use cases
- [04:40] – Vision for national/global reach and Forbes contest participation
- [06:43] – Product development journey and differentiation
- [07:28] – Pricing and technical comparisons
- [08:45] – Advice for new product creators and dealing with fear
- [10:01] – Michael’s personal struggles and transformation story
- [12:10] – Mindset and advice for people stuck in negative patterns
- [12:37] – Michael’s definition of legacy and vision for global impact
- [13:34] – Advice for legacy seekers and future entrepreneurs
- [14:38] – Where to find Michael and Flow Group online
Where to Learn More
- Website: www.theinnerflow.com (Flow without the "W")
- Instagram: @theflowgroup