Michael first began learning Northern Shaolin Seven-Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu from Master Yamel Torres after he moved to Chicago, Illinois from a relatively small town in Central New Jersey. He was intrigued and fascinated by martial arts from an early age and recalls that his paternal grandfather would even attempt to teach him portions of a tai chi sword form whenever he came to visit the United States. However, tai chi proved difficult to teach an impatient young boy. Although Michael would explore several different forms of martial arts during his childhood, he was always searching for something more.

It was not until Michael met Master Torres did his life become permanently intertwined with Chinese martial arts. Michael was one of Master Torres' first students when he was teaching on North Ravenswood Avenue in Chicago. Years later, he was also the first student to be given permission by Master Torres to teach and propagate the art as it was passed down to him by his teacher, Master Raymond Ly (Ming Loy).

Sifu Wang has had the honor of learning from Master Ly before his too-soon passing in November 2002. He has also had the opportunity to learn from Master Ly's kung fu brother Lee Kam Wing, when Master Lee visited Chicago from Hong Kong. Sifu Wang has also traveled with Master Torres to Shanghai in order to study and train with associates in China. He has also won various accolades including gold medals for forms and sparring at the 2004 Great Lakes Kung Fu Championships.

After completing his undergraduate studies in Psychology at the University of Chicago, as well as his graduate studies in Computer Information Systems at Northwestern University, Michael felt it would be nice to explore a different part of the country and begin to focus on teaching martial arts. He is currently also working at a not-for-profit alternative health-care school in Boulder, Colorado.

Sifu Wang continues to study privately with Master Torres and teaches at his studio in Boulder. He enjoys getting to know each of his students and invites all perspective students to drop in and discuss their objectives in seeking martial arts training.